Papua New Guinea has a population of 8 million with English, Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu and the Papua New Guinean sign language has its official languages. The capital is Port Moresby.
The country is one of the most culturally diverse in the world, with over 800 languages.
Most Papua New Guineans practice Christianity combined with their traditional religious practices. With a country so heterogeneous, there are a variety of festivals which reflect their culture and heritage. Some of them are:
- Milamala Festival
- Goroka show (independence celebration)
- Milne bay canoe and Kundu festival
- Garamut and Mamba festival
- Kalam Culture festival
Due to the rugged terrains in Papua New Guinea, the road infrastructure in underdeveloped. The Jackson International Airport is the major airport and there are other airstrips which you can use to travel within the country. There are public transports, however, some places would have to be reached by foot, which means Papua is great for hiking. It is better to hire a local guide who is familiar with the routes. Some notable places of interest are:
- Mount Wilhelm: the highest point in Papua New Guinea and it is of keen interest to hikers and climbers.
- Kokoda track: a former site of battle in World War II. The Kokoda track is one of the popular and challenging trails for hikers.
- Kimbe Bay: located on the largest island in Papua New Guinea, it is a hot spot for scuba diving and is home to diverse marine species.
- National Museum and Art Gallery: located in the capital city, it has an archaeological and art collection that showcases the country’s history and heritage.
- Varitata National Park: popular among bird watchers, you could also take a short hike or have a picnic.
- Port Moresby Nature Park: showcases the country’s flora and fauna in the botanical gardens and zoological parks.
The country has a hot and humid climate and it rains often. April to October has relatively less rain. Casual, conservative and comfortable and lightweight clothing is recommended. A good hiking boot is also recommended and insect repellent will come in handy.
