Latest advice, 08 March 2016

Porgera Township-Think seriously about whether you need to travel here due to the high level of risk. If you do travel, do your research and take a range of extra safety precautions, including having contingency plans.

Genvisec advises that business/leisure travellers to Papua New Guinea should seek professional security advice prior to departure. 

 

Crime

 

Serious crime is particularly high in the capital, Port Moresby, and in the cities of Lae and Mt Hagen. Settlement or squatter areas of towns and cities are particularly dangerous. ’Bush knives’ (machetes) and firearms are often used in assaults and thefts. Carjacking, assault (including sexual assaults), bag snatching and robberies are common. Banks and cash machines are attractive targets for criminals. Walking after dark is particularly dangerous in Port Moresby and other urban centres.

 

Known high-risk areas include the area around Parliament House in the Port Moresby suburb of Waigani, particularly outside of working hours, and along the highway between Lae and Nadzab Airport, particularly between Goroka and Kainantu. Criminals use roadblocks on roads outside towns to stop and loot vehicles and then attack the occupants. If you intend to travel in these areas, take great care and consider using a security escort.

 

If you have to travel at night, do so by car, with doors locked and windows up, and travel in convoy or with a security escort.

 

Most crime is random, but people have been abducted by organised gangs and forced to open office safes while others are held captive until the ransom has been paid.

 

Rape and sexual assault are problems across the country. 

 

don’t carry large amounts of cash or openly display expensive jewellery and electronic equipment

be vigilant at all times and leave travel plans with friends, relatives or reliable local contacts 

Local travel

 

Damage caused by heavy rain and cyclones can make travel difficult.

 

Check your travel insurance before considering any travel to remote areas. The cost of rescue by boat or aircraft can be high.

 

Outbreaks of tribal fighting are common, especially in Port Moresby, the Highlands Provinces (particularly Southern and Western Highlands) and Enga Province. Ethnic disputes can quickly escalate and result in the widespread destruction of property, disruption of normal services and serious injury. Stay alert, monitor local media and consult local contacts, (accommodation or other service providers) before travelling to a new area. Tribal fighters and criminals are becoming increasingly well armed through the trade in drugs for guns. Although foreigners are not normally targeted, you should avoid areas where tribal fighting is taking place.

 

Following murders in the town of Popondetta in Oro province, law and order has deteriorated. The potential for more violence exists. Travel to Popondetta, and on the road between Popondetta and Kokoda, may be dangerous. You should be extremely vigilant when travelling in and around Popondetta.

 

If you intend to walk a trail or track (not advisable), including the Kokoda Trail, check with a reputable tour guide that the tracks are open and safe, and pay the relevant fees prior to walking the Trail. You can get details from the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority (Telephone: +675 3200211) or the Kokoda Track Authority (KTA) (Telephone: +675 3255540).

 

There have been serious attacks and robberies at both ends of the Kokoda Trail. Although community leaders have assured tourists of their safety and well-being while walking the Kokoda Trail, you should take care.

 

World War II unexploded ordnance still exists in Papua New Guinea, particularly along the Kokoda Trail and at Milne Bay and Rabual.

 

Bougainville Island has emerged from a period of separatist conflict. You must provide notice of your intention to visit the island to the Bougainville Provincial Administration (telephone: +675 973 9798), and contact the Administration again upon arrival. Take great care when travelling in Bougainville. Be particularly vigilant when travelling beyond Buka into central and southern Bougainville. The mountainous area in central Bougainville around the old Panguna mine is a ‘No Go Zone’. You should not enter the ‘No Go Zone’. Foreigners who have entered the Zone without authorisation from the PNG Government have been questioned, some for many days, by PNG authorities and had their passports withheld on departure from the Zone.

 

Border areas

 

The land boundary between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea stretches for around 760km and is poorly defined. Border incursions and continuing conflict between the Indonesian government and portions of the indigenous population of West Papua started with the withdrawal of the Dutch colonial administration in 1962.

 

Renewed clashes between Indonesian soldiers and OPM (Free Papua Movement) close to the Papua New Guinea-Indonesian border near Wutung in Sanduan Province have reportedly left several soldiers and OPM members injured. Papua New Guinean authorities have placed restrictions on those who cross the border regularly. The fighting coincides with a global protest by pro-West Papua sympathisers on the eve of Indonesia’s national legislative elections, which were held on 9 April 2014.

 

The situation at Wutung on the border with Indonesia remains tense. There have been reports that the Indonesian military and the OPM have been engaging in gun battles. In response the Papua New Guinean government has strengthened its defence units at its Wutung border post. You should take extreme care and be prepared for possible sudden closure of the border crossing.

 

Air travel

 

Given the challenging terrain, extreme weather conditions and the condition of some remote airfields in PNG, flying in PNG carries greater safety risks than flying in the EU Since 2000 over 20 aircraft accidents have happened in Papua New Guinea. The most recent being on 13 October 2011 when an Airlines PNG Dash 8 aircraft crashed near Madang, killing 28 people on board.

 

Delays and cancellations of international and domestic flights occur regularly. Check with your airline before travel and be prepared for the possibility of a lengthy wait at the airport.

 

Road travel

 

Driving is on the left. When driving, you must keep your driving licence with you at all times. You may use your UK driving licence for a period not exceeding 1 month. Roads, especially in rural areas, are in a poor state of repair and driving is often erratic. Drivers who are involved in, or witness road accidents may find themselves at personal risk. You should seek police assistance as soon as possible.

 

Don’t use public buses known locally as PMVs. There have been incidents of armed hold-ups of PMVs and of passengers being attacked and robbed of their personal belongings. There have also been reports of occasional rape attacks on Port Moresby PMVs. Many PMVs are not roadworthy.

 

Taxis are available in some major centres, but can be badly maintained. If you use a taxi, agree a fare before getting setting off, irrespective of whether or not there is a meter. Where possible arrange to be met by family, friends or a hotel courtesy bus when arriving at international or domestic airports.

 

Political situation

 

Avoid large public gatherings (including political rallies) which can be unpredictable.

 

Local laws and customs

As a general rule, you are prohibited from entering Papua New Guinea with fruit, vegetables and animal products due to local quarantine controls.

 

Marijuana and other narcotics are illegal in Papua New Guinea; offences can carry substantial prison sentences.

 

Homosexual acts are illegal; if found guilty, the penalty could be result in up to 14 years imprisonment.

Murder may draw the death sentence although there is currently a moratorium on the death penalty.

 

Medical facilities in Papua New Guinea are very basic. Hospitals often run out of basic drugs/supplies and suffer from power shortages. Evacuation by air ambulance to Australia is available in more serious cases. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

 

The Papua New Guinea government has launched a national tuberculosis awareness campaign in response to the rapidly growing number of TB cases in the country. Cases of drug resistant TB have been reported in Western and Gulf province and in Port Moresby.

 

Cases of Chikungunya virus have been confirmed in Papua New Guinea. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

 

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 111 and ask for an ambulance. You should contact your insurance/medical assistance company promptly if you are referred to a medical facility for treatment.

 

Entry requirements

 

Visas

 

Foreign nationals require a visa to enter Papua New Guinea. Tourists may obtain a visa, free of charge, on arrival. For further information contact the Representation for Papua New Guinea in your home country.

 

Passport validity

 

Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Papua New Guinea.

 

The Papua New Guinean authorities have confirmed they will accept British passports extended by 12 months by British Embassies and Consulates under additional measures put in place in mid-2014.

 

Yellow fever

 

Yellow fever vaccination is required for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission.

 

Emergency travel document

 

Emergency Travel Documents are accepted for entry, airside transit and exit from Papua New Guinea. 

 

Natural disasters

 

Papua New Guinea sits along a volatile seismic strip called the “Ring of Fire” in the Pacific. Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tsunamis are possible. Seismic and volcanic activity is more likely to occur near Rabaul in East New Britain Province, Kimbe in West New Britain Province, and on Manam Island in Madang Province.

 

Earthquakes

 

There is a constant danger from earthquakes, which can be followed by tsunami warnings.

 

Volcanoes

 

Manam Island Volcano erupted in 2010 and although there has been no evidence of any lava flow, people have been advised not to climb on or around the volcano.

 

Tavurvur in East New Britain erupted on 29 August 2014. Authorities have evacuated communities close to the volcano and residents of Rabaul town have been advised to remain indoors to avoid falling ash. You should monitor local reports for latest information on the volcano and follow the instructions of local authorities. Information on the volcanic ash plume is available on the website of the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre in Darwin.

 

Tropical Cyclones

 

The tropical cyclone season normally runs from November to May. Monitor local and international weather updates from the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

 

See our tropical cyclones page for advice about what to do if you are caught up in a storm.

 

Floods 

 

Flooding and landslides can occur, especially in rural areas. Coastal areas experience monthly King Tides, which may cause localised flooding. Local communities are fairly well adapted to cope.