4 | Wild Horizons Magazine - Winter 2026 PAPUA NEW GUINEA A Journey Beyond Expectations DESTINATION I’ve been fortunate to travel extensively, but Papua New Guinea left an impression unlike anywhere else. It’s not just the wildlife or the landscapes—though both are extraordinary—it’s the combination of untamed wilderness and the warmth of people who genuinely welcome you into their world. The Western Highlands around Rondon Ridge offered my first glimpse of this. Mountain vistas stretched endlessly, and the forests nearby revealed the region’s incredible birdlife and the cultural richness of highland communities. Down on the Sepik River, Karawari Lodge sits in a landscape of winding waterways and jungle. Village visits here were genuine encounters with living culture. The intricate carvings, the ceremonial houses, the pride people take in their traditions—it all spoke to communities keeping their heritage alive. And everywhere, that same hospitality: offering betel nut, sharing stories, making us feel welcome. Lake Murray took things further into the wild. The southern lowlands are vast wetlands teeming with birds, including the spectacular Raggiana birds-ofparadise. Watching them display in the canopy—their elaborate courtship dance—felt like witnessing something truly primordial. It’s remote, beautiful, and humbling. Walindi on New Britain proved the perfect finale. The Coral Triangle diving and snorkelling are world-class—reefs bursting with colour, walls dropping into the blue, extraordinary marine life. But there’s more: birding through forest alive with species, clouds of butterflies, soaking in natural hot springs, hiking to active volcanoes. It’s an exceptional way to complete a PNG adventure. PNG offers something for everyone: birders, wilderness seekers, those curious about diverse cultures, orchid enthusiasts, WW2 history buffs, lovers of dramatic scenery. And for scuba divers and snorkellers, the marine life of the Coral Triangle is simply unmatched. Surprises await at every turn. Page 6 - Spotlight on Walindi Plantation Resort Simon Rowland Founder, Wildfoot Travel Simon travelled to Papua New Guinea in November 2025 to research new, landbased tours to be announced soon... — WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact The Travel Concept on 01435 866555
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