SEPIK REGION
The longest river on the island of New Guinea at over 700 miles (1,124 kilometers), the Sepik is home to varied habitats including rainforests, mountains and marshy swampland. One of the last unspoiled freshwater ecosystems within Asia, the Sepik has, unlike others of its kind, managed to so far avoid the mining, forestry and urban development that is sweeping other parts of Papua New Guinea, making for a pristine environment not far removed from ancient times.
EXPERIENCES
A handpicked selection of experiences endorsed by our experts. If you can’t see what you’re looking for, let us know, as our extensive network of local contacts can open many doors.
EAST SEPIK ISLANDS
Visit the East Sepik Islands, consisting of Mushu, a coral atoll that features a white sand beach fringed by palms and home to a plethora of reef fish; the uninhabited Robuin, once used as a fuel depot by the Japanese during World War II; and Kairiru, a volcanic atoll.
MINDIMBIT VILLAGE
Visit Mindimbit, a large village on the Middle Sepik near the junction with the Korosameri River. The village is known for its own distinctive artistic style, where moon-faced figures and wooden masks are carved in fine detail and accented with red clay and white lime paint.
Visit a Men’s Spirit House, a sacred house built by men where they keep their wooden masks, garamut drums, bamboo flutes and other ritualistic possessions. Go inside and listen to music and fascinating tribal legends.
PALAMBE VILLAGE
Arrive at Palimbe village, a collection of thatched houses inhabited by the local Sepik people. Visit the Haus Tambaran, a traditional ancestral worship house of hand-carved and handpainted pieces such as totem poles and other wooden items.
Afterwards, watch a Sepik cooking demonstration of sago, a local diet staple, and enjoy a traditional meal of sago and other foods.
SEPIK CROCODILE FESTIVAL
See the Sepik Crocodile Festival, an initiative of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as part of its sustainable development programs. The festival celebrates the role of the crocodile in the lives of the local Sepik people, and provides a venue for the WWF to promote conservation on the part of indigenous people. Here, village groups perform traditional, crocodile-themed dances and dramas and sell crocodile-inspired handicrafts.
THE HEADLAND
Explore the headlands of Vanimo, a strange, peninsula-like limestone landmass home to tribal villages, fantastic beaches, and excellent snorkeling. Nearby is a rusting barge dating back to the Japanese occupation of the area during World War II, as well as a number of hidden beaches.
