Papua New Guinea & Solomon Islands Travel Guide by Lonely Planet

Author:Lonely Planet
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications

What to Bring

Only take to the Sepik what you need on the Sepik – leave your luggage with someone you trust in Wewak. A daypack is plenty.

The biggest issues on the Sepik are natnats (mosquitoes) and sunburn. You’ll need to cover up for both – long sleeves and loose-fitting trousers in lightweight fabrics are ideal, although natnats can bite right through looser weaves and fine cottons. Covered footwear is essential as is a broad-brimmed hat.

If you’re travelling on a plush cruise boat, you won’t need much beyond some sensible clothes, but for everyone else, preparation is important. You will probably be sleeping rough (although some river guesthouses provide mattresses and linen) and an inflatable hiker’s mattress is perfect when combined with a box-style mosquito net secured at four corners (the umbrella type are useless). You can buy good mosquito nets in Wewak. A sleeping sheet is ideal – silk is lighter and less bulky, cotton is a little cooler. A torch is essential and as there is nowhere to recharge spent digital camera batteries, bring extra and go easy on the previews.

You bathe in the river, but never nude: bring some swimmers or a laplap (sarong) and a towel. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, industrial-strength insect repellent, toilet paper, a spoon and a bowl. Rain water is collected and is fine to drink, but you might want to carry bottled water to be safe. Take a basic first-aid kit and if you plan on trekking, you’ll need boots as trails can get very muddy.

In Wewak or Vanimo you must stock up on food and cash. For food, pack two-minute noodles, kundu crackers (beef crackers), rice and tinpis (tinned fish). Take some cooking oil as well, as that’s precious along the Sepik. Any spare food remaining can be given away and will be gratefully received. Take any money you’ll need in small bills as villagers seldom have change. The only banks on the Sepik are river banks and there is no way of getting extra funds if you run short.

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