26 Days in the Wild: Papua New Guinea Trip Report
2026 PAPUA NEW GUINEA BY THE NUMBERS
From mist-shrouded highlands and remote river communities to some of the richest coral reefs on Earth, the 2026 Papua New Guinea Expedition was an adventure of extraordinary contrasts. The numbers reveal the scale of the journey and every metric tells a story.
WILD PLACES
Across 26 days, the expedition traversed 8 distinct ecosystems - from Tufi’s mangrove-fringed tropical fjords and coral reefs to the misty montane forests of the Highlands, the vast rainforests and wetlands of the Sepik River Basin, and the volcanic island seascapes of the Bismarck Sea. Few journeys reveal so many dramatically different wild places in a single adventure.
WINGS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
An impressive 73 bird species were recorded, including 4 spectacular birds-of-paradise: the Ribbon-tailed Astrapia, Stephanie’s Astrapia, Brown Sicklebill and Superb Bird-of-Paradise. From colorful lorikeets and noisy Melidectes, to raptors, kingfishers and nocturnal frogmouths, Papua New Guinea’s remarkable avian diversity was revealed throughout the journey.
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Across Papua New Guinea, 10 communities welcomed the expedition with a warmth, openness and genuine excitement that became one of the journey’s defining highlights. Memorable encounters included discovering Huli traditions at the Wig School in the Tari Highlands, entering spirit houses along the Sepik (including one with a live crocodile inside!) and admiring the region’s remarkable traditional art and intricate carvings, as well as visiting an island village nestled within a flooded volcanic caldera in the Witu Islands. Above all, the generosity and pride with which each community shared its culture left the deepest and most lasting impression.
BELOW THE SURFACE
Across 34 distinct dive and snorkel sites, warm, crystal-clear tropical waters revealed extraordinary marine biodiversity - from shallow coral gardens to volcanic sand muck sites alive with fascinating critters. Sharks, sea turtles, schooling barracuda and sweetlips, 9 species of anemonefish, colorful nudibranchs, octopuses and even a fleeting dugong made memorable appearances, culminating in a final dive on a remarkably intact WWII Japanese Zero resting upright on the seafloor.
SEPIK RIVER BASIN
One of the expedition’s most memorable chapters began with a charter flight onto a grass airstrip on the banks of the Karawari River. From there, more than 300 kilometers were traveled through a vast, roadless landscape where waterways serve as highways and dugout canoes connect small villages and fishing camps. With almost no motorized traffic and little access to electricity or cell reception, the region felt profoundly removed from the modern world - a true world apart, where daily life remains closely connected to the rivers, rainforest and community. Warm welcomes, songs and dances, spirit houses, masterful carvings, local games and the powerful symbolism of the crocodile offered an unforgettable immersion into the living cultures of the Sepik.
AFTER DARK
Many evenings after dinner, the outdoor lights drew a dazzling parade of nocturnal insects, and photographing and documenting each new arrival quickly became a favorite ritual filled with fascination and laughter. In total, 112 moth species were identified - from tiny, intricately patterned gems to Hercules moths, among the world’s largest, with females reaching around 27 centimeters across - alongside giant rhinoceros beetles and several species of praying mantis.
CELEBRATION OF CULTURE
The journey culminated in a spectacular celebration at the Tumbuna Festival, where 12 tribal groups gathered, each distinguished by its own traditional bilas, elaborate feathered headdresses, vivid face and body paint, songs and dances. No two groups looked or sounded alike, creating an extraordinary explosion of color, sound and movement that captivated expedition guests and the many local families that gathered to watch.
THE HEART OF THE JOURNEY
At the heart of every great expedition are the people who bring it to life, and this journey was made truly exceptional by the remarkable explorers who shared it with us. Traveling through Papua New Guinea is as logistically complex and unpredictable as it is rewarding, and we are deeply grateful for the patience, flexibility, trust, understanding and good humor with which every unexpected twist was embraced. From sunrise birding in the Highlands and fireside stories at Ambua Lodge to shared smiles with local children, laughter-filled late-night moth hunts and sunset drinks on the sundeck of the MV Oceania, it was these moments of connection and camaraderie that made the adventure so special. Thank you for embracing every day so wholeheartedly - we truly could not have asked for a better group with whom to share these unforgettable 26 days in the wild.
THIS COULD BE YOUR NEXT ADVENTURE!
PAPUA NEW GUINEA - REEFS, TRIBES, & BIRDS OF PARADISE
03-26 MAY 2027 • 26 DAYS • 14 GUESTS • 1 sharing space available
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the extraordinary wildlife, cultures and wild places of Papua New Guinea firsthand. Just one twin-share space remains on the 2027 expedition - available to either a male or female explorer before this remarkable journey is officially sold out.
EXPLORER EXPERIENCE
“Our trip to Papua New Guinea with Thomas and Sabine was fantastic in every way. We especially appreciated how skillfully they navigated the country’s complex logistics to create such a unique experience. We could go on and on about their expertise, but most importantly, they made sure everyone was having the best experience possible. Their extensive knowledge of the destination - both above and below the water - adds a wonderful dimension to every trip.
We highly recommend Wild Earth to anyone seeking unique adventures and fresh perspectives.”
Photo Credit © Thomas Baechtold & Sabine Templeton