ABOUT EXPLORE PNG
OUR AIM:
To give unique and specialized travel experiences through Sustainable tourism that contributes to, and nurtures traditional lifestyles.
We are a small eco tourism company founded by two Australian friends who, after kayaking to Papua New Guinea from Australia, fell in love with the country and its people and then spent the next 6 years developing a very real, community based tourism experience. This experience works hard at giving guests a grass roots interaction with subsistence communities whilst providing good comfort, safety and a high level of activity.
Basically, we have built some great eco camps, out of local materials, in absolutely stunning and untouched locations, in partnership with traditional owners of the land, staffed by the clan’s people. We have added our touch of modern with some good boats, comfy beds, good food, excellent local knowledge and experience, high-end equipment for diving and fishing and a twist of lemon in your ice-cold gin and tonic (oh and an expresso machine, but that goes without saying!).
About PNG
OVERVIEW
MILNE BAY
Milne bay has recorded a third of the world's species of marine fish and is listed as a ecological hotspot with one of the greatest species biodiversities in the world. The province is home to everything from the tiny ghost pipe fish to the huge manta rays and killer whales. We have massive sponge coral, crinoids, the mimic octopus, great muck diving, tree kangaroos, cuscus, birds of paradise, green tree pythons, excellent fishing, superb kayaking and trekking through untouched rainforests. Explore PNG also opens the traveler up to some great history, both old and new, with local stories from the clans about life before the arrival of missionaries in the late 1800's, to both sides of the story of World War 2, when the Japanese invaded the region and were stopped by the allied forces. See landing craft covered in rainforest, dive on ship wrecks and airplanes and hear the stories of cannibalism by warring clans whilst you paddle a traditional war canoe, the type that was used by the men in the village raids of old.
GETTING THERE
This is probably the first and biggest hurdle. Being an international destination and needing to also do an internal domestic flight, it’s not as easy as you would hope. Again this is one of the reasons why PNG has not opened up to the main stream tourist, and in a way we sort of like that fact, although it would be nice if getting flights organised was a little easier. Currently, only two companies fly within PNG. Airlines PNG http://www.apng.com/ our preferred carrier and partnered with virgin, and air Nuigini, http://www.airniugini.com.pg/ who are partnered with Qantas. the biggest issue is getting a connection from Port Moresby (POM) on to Alotau (gurney) on the same day. If you can do this then you can avoid a night stop over in Port Moresby, which can be expensive and waste a day of your holiday, although this cant always be avoided. our travel agent in Australia, Verity Jones at flight centre Town Hall, Ph 02 9267 2999, can help you with all the details and can generally get you the best deal with all of this. We have a travel package you can ask about which gets you there and back again with accommodation along the way and this is what we think is the best way to do the journey. Basically the best day to fly in is a Saturday and the best day to fly out is a Sunday as this is your best chance to get connecting internal flights. We try to run our trips to this schedule but are happy to work outside these days if guests prefer.
MONEY AND PERSONAL EFFECTS
PNG currency is the Kina. It is typically around 2 to 1 compared to AUD. As a rough guide just halve the value in kina to get Australian dollars. It is a good idea to buy some kina before arriving in PNG. You will need 100 kina for the visa and a bit of spending money is handy. Five hundred kina would be plenty, try for smaller denominations if you can.
If you have any extra charges to us for bar tab or dives etc, then we will sort this out back in town when we return, rather than have guests carrying any large sums of money.
Passports, cash and jewellery can be stored at the Hotel in the safe on arrival and picked up when you leave.
It is a simple matter to purchase a tourist Visa on arrival in PNG. The Visa costs 100 Kina and is valid for 60 days. Make sure that you have some Kina with you when you enter the country. You will also need to have 6 months validity on your passport.
AIRPORTS
When you arrive in Port Moresby you will clear customs at the international terminal. From the International terminal you need to walk the 100m to the domestic terminal to check into the domestic flight. The airport in Port Moresby is safe and easy to navigate so you will have no problems here.
Just to be on the safe side it is a good idea to carry all valuable (cameras etc) in your carry-on luggage.
If you have a lot of dive/ surf gear with you make sure that you contact the airline to let them know because some have a sporting equipment baggage allowance.
COMMUNICATIONS
We have radio contact with Alotau 24/7 We have daily access to Digicel mobile network when in and around camp and coverage is always increasing around the Milne bay region. These networks allow international calls and SMS. We also have a satellite phone that can be used for emergencies.
Health Considerations
Malaria is present in PNG, however, if you take a prophylaxis (see your doctor for a prescription) and avoid getting bitten by mossies then the chances of you contracting malaria are very low. Mosquitoes are not a major problem around our camp and a bit of good insect repellent is enough to keep them away (Bushman’s is the gear). We do recommend soaking some long-sleeved shirts and pants in permethrin to be worn at dusk. The permethrin stops mosquitoes from biting through clothes (see info in our travel pack kits).
We have oxygen for the dive boats and well-trained staff to respond to any dive related issues.
Any serious dive related injury will require an evacuation and will be coordinated through D.A.N (Diver Alert Network). We Strongly recommend all divers take out DAN insurance www.danasiapacific.org
We have a well-stocked 1st aid kit and trained staff with us at all times. There is a medical post located at East Cape, which is 30 minutes from our camp via dinghy. From East Cape there is an ambulance service to Alotau General Hospital (1hr road trip).
What to Bring
We have all food, soft drinks and accommodation needs covered, whilst you stay with us at the eco-camp or adventure around the bay. Food and accommodation in town is not included unless discussed and included in trip prior to arrival. We also provide sleeping gear, towels and basic toiletries. We have a small bar with drinks for sale and a running tab for guests.
You will need good beachwear shoes/thongs or reef walkers for the rocks and another good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots.
It is the tropics so long sleave cottons are the go as well as long pants if you want to jungle walk and for covering up at night. A rash shirt for swimming and snorkelling is always a good thing, as well as a hat.
Don’t forget your toothbrush and your music player is always good and of course a camera.
SCUBA and snorkelling
Please bring your diver certification; you must have this if you want to undertake any SCUBA diving. Intro dives can be arranged for guests without a dive ticket.
We have plenty of snorkelling gear and SCUBA gear but feel free to bring your own if you prefer.
We Strongly recommend all divers take out DAN insurance www.danasiapacific.org
we have great guides for both Snorkelling and SCUBA diving who will look after your safety and guide you through the many dives we have.
