PNG Advice

OK, so we are fairly well seasoned travellers having done stints in India, Nepal, Pakistan, through Indo from Sumatra to Flores, mainland SE Asia.

We've read the sotries and bought the books and are just seeking general advice re safety and travelling around PNG as, even with the scares, there must be something in it.

BAsically we are looking to fly in and out of P/Moresby, then Madang, Sepik River, poss Mt Hagen, Rabaul and Kimbe.

What should we look out for, safety/security-wise + any tips on travel? For instance we are thinking of crossing to the Solomons via the canoe trip and flight out - has anyone out there done this route recently, or would the go via Brisbane option be easier etc.

Thanks for all your help and advice.

Papua New Guinea is like everyplace you have never been. (so the travel poster used to say)

I lived and worked in PNG (Port Moresby) for 3 years and traveled throughout the country. Believe what you read, it is at times a very very dangerous place. Needless to say, I knew several expats who were assaulted and raped, if not murdered. If you are female, don't go unless you are part of a tour group. Avoid Port Moresby other than to change planes. There's nothing worth seeing there that is worth risking your life over.

Madang, The Sepik, The Highlands, and the Solomons are all beautiful places and make for great adventure. Take a scuba diving class if you want to experience some of the best diving in the world.

You may want to try and contact some expats on a PNG blog prior to leaving to check on current conditions, and just maybe you might get an invite for a homestay or ???

Good luck with your trip.

Thanks for the advice.

We are a middle-aged couple and have many dives under our belts so the diving is one of the are considering PNG as part of a larger trip - about 4-5 months.

Get the point about PM, its about what we thought as well.

I'll try to look out at some blogs as well.

Don't know if there's any more specific advice, especailly re travelling around - for instance, in Indonesia, we have no problem taking public buses, taxis, trains etc - you could give.

Thanks again.

Public transport in and around Port Moresby is inadvisable. As danjodak suggests, skip through Port Moresby. Also, because of the ongoing tribal clashes in the highlands, you just can't predict when you may face a problem while travelling, and the attitudes towards women there are horrifying. More women are raped and bashed in the Highlands than anywhere else.

Travel in the other provinces - and especially the islands - is another matter. Mostly you will be fine there and just the usual precautions are enough.

If you do fly through Port Moresby, and need to overnight, the Airways Hotel and the Gateway Hotel are just next door. Prices are outrageous, but you'd be pretty safe. The Holiday Inn is safe enough as well, and they all have a shuttle to the airport terminal.

The international and domestic terminals are next to each other, and easy to walk.

There is another option for getting to Solomon Islands - there is a weekly flight from Port Moresby to Honiara.

Thanks for your post. Ok, we're based in Port Moresby and we basically run the website Skerah.com which amongst other things covers travel related information. Most of the articles are from those who have experienced PNG and not necessarily from suppliers so we'll give you an unbiased view or at the very least give you directions.

On Port Moresby, we can confirm that unless you know the place well we would recommend you get a guide. The best parts of PNG is outside of Port Moresby but if you ever want to try scuba diving, fishing etc…out of Port Moresby, the closest place is Loloata Island Resort – nice place and out of the city

As for accommodation, Airways is the closest. Pricey but it's close and safe. We do know someone there so we can put you in touch with them before you go. At least you can correspond with someone there on a personal level prior to arrival.

Madang, the only place we've stayed at in Madang is Madang Lodge. Nice green place and costs are reasonable. We can put you in touch with the manager.

Hop this helps.

Skerah

Edited by: katija

On travelling around, you pretty much have to fly between most places because there's no other option. We did get a PMV between Goroka and Madang and felt safe the entire time.

For travelling within towns, we also used PMVs and again, felt fine (in Madang, Goroka, Wewak). We didn't leave the hotel when in Moresby.

One of the previous posters said females should go only on a tour. I disagree. Women should probably not travel solo, but going as a couple should be fine. I felt much less intimidated in PNG than I did in India from a female-perspective (although perhaps we were lucky).

The PNG link in my signo line also answers most of your Qs.

Long thread about women's travel in PNG:

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=1323353

Thanks everyone - very helpful and we'll definitely checkout the links, sites and forums mentioned. Happy travels.