Has anyone had experience with PNG Highlands Adventures in Goroka or Lakunda Lodge in Tari?

A friend and I will be in Tari for 5 nights this coming September before the Goroka Show and we're really struggling to find accomodation options. Ambua Lodge is way out of our league and although we've been in touch with Steve Wari of Warili Lodge, he stopped mailing us almost a month ago and it seems like he's dropped us. I've come across a couple of lodges mentioned in random birding blogs but can't find any online presence or email contact details for them. Eventually the Pacific Gardens Hotel in Goroka put us in touch with Jenny Wal who runs a company called PNG Highlands Adventures in Goroka. She can sort us out in Tari at a place called Lakunda Lodge, but googling the lodge as usual leads to a dead end. Has anyone out there had any experience with PNG Highlands Adventures or Lakunda Lodge? Or does anyone else have any other recommendations for a middle-range place to stay in Tari and to organise trips there for 4 days?
Also, I get the impression that unless you're an avid birder, most people spend 2 days in Tari, whereas we have 4 full days and the afternoon of our arrival. Sounds like we might need to also go a bit further from Tari to visit cultures other than the Huli to constructively fill our time? Opinions from the LP community would be much appreciated!

I dont think it is worth spending time in Tari town itself aside as a stopover. Maybe the market is interesting but beware of pickpockets.

I think it is also worth pointing out that Tari area in general is quite rough & poor, even by PNG standards. When I was there due to tribal infighting (in Tari town itself, with deaths) they closed down the airport. Travelling by PMV to Mt Hagen, locals assured me we were safe from criminals as the bus was full of men who would fight back.

Basically, unless you are on an organized tour, you need to be prepared for basic conditions and be street smart about security.

As for places to stay, I cant help you with mid-range lodges - maybe others can. In Tari I stayed in the women's guesthouse (it's for all genders) just opposite the airstrip. It is basic & cheap, bathrooms were dirty but rooms just ok (think youth hostel). Outside the guesthouse is a local school office. I met a teacher there, Mr Timba who took me to his village and with a friend, organized a Huli dance. You have to pay of course. He can probably help with organizing longer tours as well.

Markus

Thanks for your input Markus.

I will be in Tari for 6 days end July with the manager/owner of Lakunda called Thomas, he arranged a great itinerary for us . He can be contacted only via SMS at +675 71405705. He responds very quickly.

With Steve Wari I also had a weird experience. he did not reply to 2 emails and 1 SMS for about 2 months. Suddenly he replied and package was so much more expensive as with Thomas.

So please try him out

Hi Binte, thanks so much for the info! Will private message you.

Hello Binte. I've just been in touch with Thomas of Lakunda and he's sending an itinerary through. I couldn't quite make out what he said on the phone about the safety of tourists using PMVs though. Are you organising private transfers with him or are you using public transport? I'm getting so much conflicting information about this issue. I met with an ex PNG UN worker last night who was horrified that we would use PMVs in the Southern Highlands areas. I'm travelling with a male friend.
Cheers, Carmen

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