Travelling to PNG alone? Am I stupid?

Hi Everyone,

I am planning a solo trip to PNG for about 8 days in September. Maybe to see the Goroka show but not sure yet. I have travelled a fair bit alone in developing countries, so I feel pretty confident and travel-wise, but PNG would probably have the least tourist infrastructure of anywhere I have been, and as a single female, the trip has left me pretty nervous...

Does anyone have a (legitimate) opinion on whether travelling in PNG as a single female is a good/bad idea?

I had planned to fly into Port Moresbey and fly directly to Lae without leaving the airport (all going to plan) I would rather avoid PM from what I have been told. I was then going to explore the highlands and down to Madang for a few days.

Any advice/tips?

I also wanted to know whether people think going for the Goroka show would be a good idea, or whether it would be too hard to get accommodation...

Any information would be appreciated. Trip is planned for mid-September. Even better, you could come along with me!

Kiri

Why would you be stupid?

I'd rather say adventurous! :-)

There is a long thread devoted to travelling alone as a woman in PNG on this forum already - check it out!

The one advice I might give is not starting your PNG travels in the Highlands though.
The coastal areas (like Malang, but not Lae itself!) and the island provinces (like New Irealnd and New Britain) are much more relaxed. Spend some time in Malang and the islands before proceeding to the Highlands.

Accommodation during the Goroka and Hagen shows is notoriously difficult to find in either town.
Note that if you spend a few weeks in the country, you also have a good chance of coming across smaller, less touristy, but still very colorful festivals elsewhere, too.

You might also find reading the PNG link in my signo line useful.

The most important thing for a woman travelling alone to remember is to dress modestly, in particular keeping the top half of your legs covered.