Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges and Tours

Venture off the beaten path with a stay in one of the extraordinary Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges! This untamed paradise is a dream for ecotourists, offering lush rainforests, remote highlands, vibrant tribal cultures, and some of the world’s richest biodiversity. Trek through wild jungles, dive pristine coral reefs, and witness unique wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges offer immersive, sustainable experiences that connect you deeply with nature and tradition. Adventure and authenticity await!

Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges Tours

Ecotourism in Papua New Guinea

The country is one of the most biodiverse and culturally rich countries in the world!
Papua New Guinea is still relatively undiscovered by mass tourism, making it an ideal destination for ecotourists. Many trips are community-based or run through small-scale lodges. The focus is on:

• Un spoilt natural areas (rainforests, mountains, reefs).
• Diving and snorkeling in the Bismarck Sea and Milne Bay.
• Bird watching (including the birds of paradise).  
• Trekking with local guides, for example the Kokoda Track or Mount Wilhelm.
• Participation in traditional ceremonies and village visits.

Community-based tourism is important: local villages often manage natural resources themselves and offer eco-activities.

Flora and Fauna in Papua New Guinea

Flora  
• Over 11,000 plant species, 90% of which are endemic.
• Orchid paradise: Papua New Guinea is home to over 3,000 species.
• Dense rainforests, mangroves, savannahs and alpine grasslands.
• Unusual plants such as the Sago palm (staple food) and tree ferns.

Fauna

Birds
• Birds of paradise (over 35 species!).
• Cassowary (large flightless bird, rare and impressive).
• Papuan botfly, gules, and cockatoo species.

Mammals
• Tree kangaroos (such as the Bennett’s tree kangaroo).
• Flying foxes (large fruit bats).
• Echidna and other marsupials.

Reptiles and amphibians
• Unique frogs, geckos, snakes (most of them harmless).

Marine life
• Coral Triangle: Papua New Guinea is a hotspot for marine biology.
• Dive sites with sharks, manta rays, seahorses, turtles.
• Undiscovered reefs, shipwrecks and macro fauna in abundance.

Top Ecotourism Destinations in Papua New Guinea

Tufi Fjords (Oro Province)
• Breathtaking fjords, coral reefs and rainforest.
• Diving, snorkeling, and kayaking.
• Community-based ecotourism and homestays.

Kokoda Track
• Iconic 96km long hiking trail through jungle and mountains.
• Historic (WWII) and biologically rich area.
• Trekking with local guides directly supports communities.

Mount Wilhelm (Chimbu Province)
• Papua New Guinea’s highest mountain (4,509m).
• Trek through different climate zones: from rainforest to alpine tundra.
• Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges and local guides available.

Madang and Bagabag Island
• Pristine diving and snorkeling destination.
• Marine reserve with reef protection.
• Local villages offer kayaking and birding tours.

Sepik River Region
• Cultural heart of Papua New Guinea.
• Authentic villages, spirit houses, and wood carvings.
• Boat trips with local guides through rainforest and wetlands.

Kimbe Bay (West New Britain)
• Part of the Coral Triangle: one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world.
• Snorkeling, diving, and mangrove tours.

Lake Kutubu and Kikori Basin (Southern Highlands)
• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• Rainforest, lakes, and unique culture.
• Small-scale tourism through local village projects.

Suggestion for a 2-week Sustainable Itinerary in Papua New Guinea

Day 1–3: Port Moresby (primary airport) and Varirata National Park
• Arrival and acclimatization.
• Visit the Nature Park (sanctuary for endangered species).
• Hike in Varirata Natural Park (birds, and rainforest).

Day 4–6: Tufi Fjords (Oro Province)
• Take a boat to Tufi or a flight from Popondetta Airport.
• Snorkeling and diving in coral gardens.
• Visit villages and learn about traditional tattooing and canoeing.
• Stay overnight at a local homestay.

Day 7–9: Mount Wilhelm
• Domestic flight to Mount Hagen and drive to Keglsugl.
• Trek to Mount Wilhelm with local guide.
• Stay in one of the Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges.  

Day 10–11: Sepik River region
• Domestic flight to Wewak, then to Pagwi.
• Short canoe trips, village visits.
• Stay in community-run guesthouses.

Day 12–14: Kimbe Bay (West New Britain)
• Flight to Hoskins.
• Snorkeling, diving, mangrove exploration.

To see our listings in Papua New Guinea please go here: Papua New Guinea Green vacations.

Ecological Threats in Papua New Guinea

Although Papua New Guinea still has a lot of untouched nature, it is under pressure from:

Deforestation and illegal logging
• Papua New Guinea has one of the largest tropical rainforests outside the Amazon.
• Illegal logging (often by foreign companies) threatens ecosystems and local communities.
• Poor enforcement and corruption pose obstacles.

Mining and oil/gas extraction
• Large-scale mining projects (such as the Ok Tedi and Frieda River mines) have led to river pollution.
• Groundwater, fish stocks and agricultural land are being affected by mining.

Coral Reef Degradation
• Climate change (warming, acidification) and fishing pressure are deteriorating coral reefs.
• Dynamite fishing and trawling are also a problem in some areas.

Invasive Species
• Exotic plants and animals are threatening native species (such as on islands in the Bismarck Archipelago).

Climate Change
• Papua New Guinea is highly vulnerable to sea level rise, especially on low-lying islands (such as the Carteret Islands).
• Habitat loss and community migration are increasing.

Papua New Guinea Government Policy

The government has recognized that sustainability is essential, but implementation remains variable. Key policies include:

National Sustainable Development Strategy (NSDS)
• Focuses on biodiversity, forests and traditional knowledge conservation.
• Part of the broader Papua New Guinea Vision 2050.

Protected Areas Policy (2014)

• Target: Protect 17% of Papua New Guinea’s land area. This is in line with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (20 specific targets defined by the UN to address and mitigate biodiversity loss across the globe).   
• Support for community-based conservation.

Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA)
• Promotes low-impact ecotourism as an alternative to mass tourism.
• Supports small-scale eco-initiatives in partnership with communities.Challenges: limited capacity, low enforcement, low funding and external pressures (mining, and timber companies).

Examples of Small-scale Conservation Projects

Here are inspiring community projects that you can visit or support:

Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program (TKCP), YUS Conservation Area
• Works with 50 communities to protect tree kangaroos, a marsupial that has adapted to the trees and rainforest.
• Part of the first officially recognized Conservation Area in Papua New Guinea.

Tenkile Conservation Alliance (Sandaun Province)
• Focuses on protecting the rare and critically endangered Tenkile tree kangaroo, also known as Scott’s tree-kangaroo and endemic to a very small area of the Torricelli Mountains of Papua New Guinea.
• Provides communities with alternatives to bushmeat and deforestation.

Lake Kutubu Community Conservation Area
• Led by local clans.
• Protects endemic fish and sacred sites in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Manus Island Marine Conservation
• Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs) by villages.
• Fishing restrictions and monitoring are coordinated locally.

Mahonia Na Dari (Kimbe Bay)
• Environmental education center for young people.
• Works with Walindi Plantation Resort and local schools to protect coral reefs.  

How you can contribute as a traveler:
• Stay in one of the community-based Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges  
• Visit or support projects like the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Program or Tenkile Alliance.
• Buy local and sustainable, avoid plastic and respect traditional rules.

Sustainable Travel Tips in Papua New Guinea

In Papua New Guinea there are many ways to reduce your impact on nature and culture while also contributing to the local community. Here are some specific tips for Papua New Guinea:

• Don’t eat bushmeat – it threatens rare animals like tree kangaroos.
• Papua New Guinea has over 800 languages ??and unique cultures. Respect those. Always ask permission for photos.
• Dress appropriately in villages (cover knees and shoulders).
• Use local transport: choose shared taxis, PMVs (public minibuses) or canoes/longboats where possible.
• Stay in Papua New Guinea Eco Lodges or community homestays,  
• Papua New Guinea has very few waste management facilities. Take what you bring out with you.
Check out more than 40 sustainable travel tips to reduce your ecological footprint.

Papua New Guinea Eco lodges and Travel Safety

 Check in advance about the safety in Papua New Guinea and in the places you plan to visit. You can also consult your country’s official government websites. For American citizens, this is the US Dept. Of State’s page on Papua New Guinea.