Rich, unspoilt nature
Papua New Guinea is made up of several islands, most of which are volcanic, revealing a raw, unspoilt nature. Three-quarters of the country is covered in primary and secondary forest, and you'll find two-thirds of the world's wild orchids here. Nature and ecotourism find a paradise here, to be discovered on hikes and walks all over the territory. There's no shortage of parks here, starting with the La Bat Garden and the Moitaka Wildlife Sanctuary. If you're keen on walking, head for the south coast and the Kokoda trail, which is best reserved for advanced hikers.
Easier to access, the Wedau-Aldau coastal walk alternates walking and swimming between beaches and wild jungle. For more popular beaches, head for the Gulf of Papua, to the south, with Madong and its coral reef, ideal for scuba diving. The island also boasts five active and sixteen extinct volcanoes, which can be admired with local guides.
Off the coast of New Guinea, several islands are also worth a visit, such as New Britain and its beaches, where you can see sponges, dolphins and sharks. You can also see the former capital, Raboul, destroyed during the Japanese raids of the Second World War. New Ireland is also known for its paradisiacal beaches, while the Trabriand Islands will allow you to immerse yourself in Papuan culture. Here, you'll discover traditional handicrafts, as well as large-scale yam production in July. Papua New Guinea's most densely populated land, the Highlands are home to villages of the Hulis and Duna tribes, renowned for their decoration and body painting.
It's impossible to visit this part of the world without admiring the charms of the country's capital, Port Moresby. Situated on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, the city was founded in 1883 on the Coral Sea. Here, you'll discover dream beaches and luxury hotels, as well as ancient buildings such as Parliament House, a blend of modern and traditional architecture. The National Museum boasts interesting collections of traditional Papuan art, as well as contemporary productions and artefacts from the New Guinea campaign during the Pacific War. The National Botanical Garden and Moitaka are also an opportunity to discover a crocodile farm. Not far from the capital, visits are organized to the Rouna Falls waterfalls, as well as to the Sage Plateau, entirely covered in forest. If you'd like to delve a little deeper into the culture of the local ethnic groups, particularly the Karawori, don't hesitate to take a cruise on the Sapik River and make a few stopovers in the villages you'll come across.
A humid equatorial climate
Papua New Guinea enjoys an equatorial climate, with high levels of heat all year round and constant high humidity. In the lowlands, you'll enjoy temperatures averaging between 24 and 31°C, but this drops off sharply as you gain altitude. The country is generally hit by heavy rains between December and March, and you have to wait until June to October to enjoy a milder, drier climate. Note that there is always some rainfall at this time of year, but temperatures remain fairly high. July is the best time to explore the forests and mountains.
416 850 1835
