Papua New Guinea has an undeserved reputation of being a dangerous country. While there are always risks involved when traveling, the people of Papua New Guinea are generally kind, generous, and excited to share their culture. That said, there are several steps that can be taken to ensure that your trip is safe, enjoyable, and stress-free. 

As is true in most countries, it’s unwise to keep your phone or valuables in easily accessible places (eg. your back pocket). We recommend carrying a bag at the front of your body, and not having your phone out in busy areas. You can even buy a fashionable bilum, a traditional woven bag of wool made by the mothers of Goroka. Your purchase helps to support local traditions and keep the culture alive!

Often, ESIMS purchased prior to arrival do not function as intended. Cell service in PNG can be unreliable, but don’t stress! This will encourage you to live in the moment and set the endless scroll of the internet aside. You can purchase a local SIM card upon arrival, and top up whenever you desire with the local currency. Typically, you can purchase 500mb of data for just 5 kina! (Tip: make sure you’re “topping up” with data, rather than minutes).

We recommend downloading an offline map of your destination prior to arrival, and write down important addresses and phone numbers in a notebook that can be easily accessed.  . 

It’s essential that you are fully vaccinated prior to your arrival in PNG. Speak with your doctor before your trip to ensure that you are prepared. Being a tropical country, PNG has a high volume of preventable diseases. We recommend talking to your doctor about Japanese Encephalitis and other illnesses where vaccines are available. Additionally, many visitors take a malaria prophylaxis for the duration of their stay. This is particularly encouraged throughout the wet season, during which mosquitos are more active. Some countries require a prescription for this, so check with your healthcare provider! Additionally, while pharmacies are available in Goroka, we recommend coming prepared with a travel first aid kit, bug/mosquito spray, and feminine hygiene products. 

PNG is incredibly abundant, and the Eastern Highlands Province is no exception. You can find anything you need at the local markets of Goroka, from food grown at local farms to fruits and vegetables supplied by coastal towns. Kelly’s Mountain Honey Homestay is equipped with an electric kettle, a hot plate, dishware, and a food storage area, so you can cook whatever you’d like! If you’d prefer to experience the local food of Papua New Guinea, Kelly’s family will welcome you to enjoy their traditional dishes. Cooking in bamboo over the fire is an unforgettable (and delicious) experience!

Kelly’s Mountain Honey Homestay is supplied by water from Goroka. We recommend boiling it prior to drinking.  

Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world, with over 800 languages spoken by their population of ~11 million. Alongside their mother tongue, children typically learn English at school and Tak Pisin from their communities. Tak Pisin is the most commonly used language in PNG, and it was created when colonizers brought English to the island. It shares many words, phrases, and roots with its mother language, making it quite easy for English speakers to pick up.  

The most simple route is to fly into Port Moseby, and from there to fly into Goroka. If you intend to travel around Port Moseby or Papua New Guinea, this is best achieved with a guide familiar with the area. While PNG is, generally, a safe country, Port Moseby carries a higher amount of risk than surrounding areas. From Goroka, a member of the team will pick you up at the airport and bring you to the homestay.   

The Eastern Highlands is known as the Land of Eternal Spring. It sits at a tropical/subtropical highlands climate, with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from March to October. The EHP is characterized by warm days and cool nights, with rainfall throughout the year. This site provides a reasonable reference for your packing list. Make sure you bring a torch/headlamp, power bank, mosquito spray, and a light sweater/jacket for the evenings! Do plan to dress modestly to respect local customs (shoulders/knees should be covered) in lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen. Long sleeves/trousers will also help deter mosquitos!