Heaven in the Clouds and other Papua New Guinea Hotel/Accommodation Reviews

Ambua Lodge is a series of small, private bundgalows nestled at about 7,000 feet up (2100 m) in the Southern Highlands, overlooking the Tari valley below.

The views were breathtaking, and I'll never forget the first impression I had of this place as our jeep made its way up the road - seeing the thatched roofs of the bungalows dotting the hill - it was like a little peek at a strange kind of mountain paradise in the middle of an unknown wilderness....

Unique Qualities: The design of the bungalows is deliberately intended to blend in with the surroundings, and it does a fantastic job. The cabins themselves are round, with wonderful picture windows that offer stunning views of the mountains and further down to the valley. I probably could have remained in our little bungalow all day - if it weren't for the great activities we had planned!

Hot water showers, comfortable beds, spectacular views....and first class meals in the main dining lodge which by the way, was cozy with a large fireplace and a bar.

Ambua Lodge is owned and operated by Trans Niugini Tours - and I cannot say enough good things about these people.

Unfortunately, I can't tell you what their accomodations rates are because the friend with whom I went, was a magazine advertising account executive and she traded in ad space with Trans Niugini, in exchange for lodging and dives. So basically it means we stayed there without any exchange of currency.

Even though I can't tell you the typical rates, I must INSIST that you stay here...the owners have worked hard to make their tour operation eco-tourism friendly and they employ PNG staff and are respectful and encouraging toward locals and their economy.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: Their main office is located in Mt. Hagen (PNG) but they also have offices in many major countries. I'm including their very comprehensive and helpful website down below.
Directions: Tari, in the PNG Highlands
Website: http://www.pngtours.com

Isn't the view lovely?

And they even provide electric blankets for the beds...it gets chilly in the Highlands at night.....brrrrrr!

And in the afternoon when you return to your cabin, you find a sweet hibiscus flower resting on your bed, and another on the table, with a pot of fresh coffee.

Yumm!!!!!

Unique Qualities: The air is so clean and crisp up there, and the rooms had a great open feel to them. Very comfortable and clean, too.

You don't get a wake up call here, you get a wake-up "knock-on-the-door"!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: Their main office is located in Mt. Hagen (PNG) but they also have offices in many major countries. I'm including their very comprehensive and helpful website down below.
Directions: Tari, in the PNG Highlands
Website: http://www.pngtours.com

The artwork and the atmosphere of the main dining area is rivaled only by the chicken coq au vin and other delicious dishes (and many using indigenous foods as well) as I recall...

Hot steaming coffee in the morning, hearty breakfasts prepared to send you on your way as you explore the day....

Large, cozy fireplace to warm you up at night as you sip on a cognac or maybe have an award winning PNG lager beer....

And best of all, the design mimics that of the smaller, private bungalows and thus creates this open, round feel with more spectacular window views, past the mountains and toward the Tari valley....

Does it GET any better than this?!!


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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: Their main office is located in Mt. Hagen (PNG) but they also have offices in many major countries. I'm including their very comprehensive and helpful website down below.
Directions: Tari, in the PNG Highlands
Website: http://www.pngtours.com

Nestled in the jungles of the lower Arambak country of the Sepik Region, this wildnerness lodge is the perfect "home base" for Sepik exploration of the nearby Karawari villages.

Unique Qualities: The lodge itself is exquisite - fashioned like a native "Haus Tambaran" (Sepik Spirit House, which is a special structure of spiritual and coming-of-age significance for the Sepik peoples)...but with private bungalows and terrific views, running water, mosquito netting for the beds (a necessity in these parts), and a lovely dining hall housing gorgeous artifacts like masks and other wooden carvings indigenous to the region.

I felt like I'd stepped right out of the pages of National Geographic!

The Karawari Lodge provides "river trucks" which is the mode of transportation to get around when visiting the villages, and that's where we spent the majority of our time.

For those of you who like to take a morning or evening dip, the Karawari Lodge also has a beautiful swimming pool.

And finally, I made a nice little friend who likes bananas. According to the General Manager (seen laughing in the photo no. 2), this lorikeet is a regular "guest" of the Karawari Lodge!
If you want to see the jungle, this is the way to go!!!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Directions: Karawari River, in the Lower Sepik Region
Website: http://www.pngtours.com

Nothing short of spectacular can be used to describe this floating lodge. It was more than I expected: a first class live-aboard vessel, all the way.

The captain was friendly and professional, and the staff (consisting of one female housekeeper/crew, one chef/bartender, and a guide) were likewise warm and engaging.

It was a one-of-a-kind experience!

Unique Qualities: Large, comfortable rooms (9 in total, sleeping up to 18 people) with private bathrooms, twin beds, large picture windows in every room and throughout the boat, delicious food, and best of all: the "Observation Deck", specially designed and located at the bow of the boat - it's where some of us gathered before the dawn hours, sipping our strong coffee while we gazed out the large picture windows that tiered down the front...this was an absolutely magnificent experience - a perfectly serene and motivating way to start the day.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Address: Owned and operated by Trans Niugini Tours
Directions: Middle Sepik (East Sepik Province)
Website: http://www.pngtours.com

My stay at Walindi Plantation in Kimbe surpassed expectations.

When we visited Kimbe Bay, Walindi Plantation had only five bungalows. They've since expanded but the owner (we called him Mad Max, since he was a bit of a crazy Australian who bought the property back in the early 80s I believe, and moved his family to PNG to run this dive resort) counts for part of Walindi's charm and appeal.

Unique Qualities: Meals were served in a beautiful, partially open air dining area which also functioned as the social center. After dives, we usually gathered here since it is next to the pool, and recounted our experiences or exchanged notes or planned the evening's games (see separate Activity tip!).

Max would usually join us and he was always great for laughs...his wife ran the kitchen and locals were employed here as well. Max brought a bit of the Aussie pioneering spirit to the place, and a great sense of fun.

The bungalows were charming , right along the beach front and of course, the ubiquitous mosquito netting above the beds.

For more info on activities offered through the Walindi Plantation, visit their website below.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$80-120  » Currency Converter
Directions: Kimbe Bay
Website: http://www.walindi.com