Please, click on a country you want to visit
Birding lodges and accommodation in Papua New Guinea
New Guinea is the home of the birds-of-paradise: most of the 44 species live on this one island. Bed & Birding's five lodges in Papua New Guinea cover its main habitats. Ambua Lodge and Rondon Ridge in the highlands are the places for King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, astrapias and sicklebills. Karawari Lodge in the Sepik rainforest has Twelve-wired and King Birds-of-paradise. Lake Murray Ecolodge and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge, in the lakes and wetlands of the Western Province, add lowland and waterbird species. Read where to see birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea, or compare the lodges below.
Visiting more than one lodge? These lodges are run by the same operator, so one enquiry can cover your whole trip.
Birds-of-paradise at each lodge
Each lodge sits in a different habitat, so each has its own set of birds-of-paradise. The names below come from each lodge's bird list on Bed & Birding. For the birds themselves and how to see their displays, read our guide Where to see birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea.
| Lodge | Setting | Birds-of-paradise on its bird list | Also look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambua Lodge | Highland forest near Tari, about 2,100 m | King of Saxony; Ribbon-tailed and Stephanie's Astrapias; Black, Brown and Buff-tailed Sicklebills; Lawes's Parotia; Short-tailed Paradigalla; Superb and Raggiana | Crested and Loria's Satinbirds, Archbold's and Macgregor's Bowerbirds, Blue-capped Ifrita |
| Rondon Ridge | Kum Mountain near Mount Hagen, Western Highlands, about 2,160 m | King of Saxony; Stephanie's Astrapia; Black, Brown and Buff-tailed Sicklebills; Short-tailed Paradigalla; Superb and Raggiana | Crested, Tit and Fan-tailed Berrypeckers, Mountain Owlet-nightjar, Loria's Satinbird |
| Karawari Lodge | Lowland rainforest above the Karawari River, East Sepik | Twelve-wired and King Birds-of-paradise; Magnificent Riflebird; Glossy-mantled and Jobi Manucodes | Northern and Dwarf Cassowaries, Victoria Crowned Pigeon, Blyth's Hornbill, Palm Cockatoo |
| Lake Murray Ecolodge | On Papua New Guinea's largest lake, Western Province | King and Raggiana Birds-of-paradise; Magnificent Riflebird; Trumpet and Glossy-mantled Manucodes | Southern Crowned Pigeon, Southern Cassowary, New Guinea Harpy Eagle, Palm Cockatoo |
| Bensbach Wildlife Lodge | Flood plains along the Bensbach River, Western Province | Glossy-mantled Manucode; come here for the wetland birds | Brolga, Black-necked Stork, Magpie Goose, Fly River Grassbird, Little Paradise Kingfisher |
Birds to look for
King of Saxony Bird-of-paradise, the astrapias and sicklebills of the highlands, and Twelve-wired and King Birds-of-paradise in the lowlands are described in our guide Where to see birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea, with tips on seeing their displays.
Beyond the birds-of-paradise. The lowland lodges add cassowaries, crowned pigeons and Palm Cockatoos, and Bensbach Wildlife Lodge is the place for wetland birds such as Brolga and Magpie Goose.
When to go
Most birds in Papua New Guinea, birds-of-paradise included, live here all year, so you can see them in any month. The drier months, roughly April to October, are the most popular time for birding, because forest trails and roads are easier then. Showers are possible at any time of year, in the highlands as well as the rainforest.
Getting there and combining lodges
International flights arrive in Port Moresby, the capital.
- Rondon Ridge: several flights a day go from Port Moresby to Mount Hagen. The lodge is about an hour from Mount Hagen's Kagamuga Airport, and airport transfers can be arranged.
- Ambua Lodge: a charter flight crosses the Central Ranges to Tari, followed by a transfer to the lodge.
- Karawari Lodge: reached only by small charter aircraft to a private airstrip, then a short walk, a 20-minute jet-boat ride and a short drive.
- Lake Murray Ecolodge: flights on set days of the week from Mount Hagen or Ambua Lodge.
- Bensbach Wildlife Lodge: charter flights to the lodge's own airstrip, arranged from Mount Hagen.
The five lodges are run by one operator, which also arranges the charter flights between them. One enquiry can therefore cover a whole trip, for example a highland lodge for the mountain birds-of-paradise followed by Karawari or Lake Murray for the lowland species.
Questions birders ask
Where is the best place to see birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea?
For the most species, the highlands. Ambua Lodge has ten birds-of-paradise on its bird list and Rondon Ridge eight, including King of Saxony, astrapias and sicklebills. For lowland species such as Twelve-wired Bird-of-paradise, add Karawari Lodge. Our guide Where to see birds-of-paradise in Papua New Guinea has more.
How many kinds of birds-of-paradise are there?
44 species, and most of them live on New Guinea. A trip combining a highland lodge with a lowland lodge can show you a good share of them.
When is the best time to go?
Any month, because the birds are resident. April to October is the most popular season, as it is drier and easier for walking.
Can I visit several lodges on one trip?
Yes. The five lodges have one operator, so a single trip enquiry covers all of them, including the charter flights.
Which lodge is best for waterbirds?
Bensbach Wildlife Lodge, on the flood plains of the Bensbach River, for Brolga, storks, Magpie Goose and Fly River Grassbird. Lake Murray Ecolodge combines waterbirds with lowland forest birds.
How do I get to Ambua Lodge?
Fly to Port Moresby, then by charter aircraft to Tari over the Central Ranges; the lodge arranges the transfer from Tari.
Plan a Papua New Guinea birding trip
The Papua New Guinea lodges on Bed & Birding are run by the same operator, so you can ask about several of them in one enquiry. Tick the lodges you would like to visit, add your dates and rooms, and send the form. Bed & Birding passes your enquiry on to the lodges.
Advertising
