Karawari Lodge
Karawari River, Kundiman Papua New Guinea
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#1 of 1 lodge in Kundiman
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Bar / lounge
Restaurant
Airport transportation
Non-smoking hotel
Location
Karawari River, Kundiman Papua New Guinea
36Reviews2Q+A18Room tips
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+1
Our 4 day stay with a birding tour was simply outstanding! Simply stunning location overlooking the Karawari River and its abundant birdlife, lush rainforest and magnificent cultural landscape. Hospitality was gentle and engaging, reflecting the local spirit. Accommodation was appropriate and comfortable, along with mosquito netting over the beds. We loved our cold beer at the end of the day and enjoyed solid home cooked food every day. Birding/cultural touring was first class. Chris Nick is one of the best I. The business. A shout out to Xavier, Bonny, Ruben and Lennon too!! Try for a villa overlooking the river. Try to wear slides or sandals indoors ( not your muddy boots!) .
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Date of stay: June 2023Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip: A villa overlooking the river is ideal.
Check out the helipad for a quick birding trip!
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Karawari Lodge overlooks the Karawari River. The main hall is an archive of primitive art. Rooms are comfortable. Food is good. Plan to spend some extra time here. Staff are helpful. Sunsets are special. Guides are a wealth of info.
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Date of stay: September 2019
Cleanliness
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Room Tip: all the rooms face the river
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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+1
My wife and I stayed at Karawari Lodge for three nights in May 2019 during a trip to Papua New Guinea that was arranged by ATJ (f/k/a Asia Transpacific Journeys) and handled locally by Trans Niugini Tours (TNT). We very much enjoyed our time in the Sepik River Basin area and thought our accommodations at Karawari Lodge were quite nice, especially considering the remoteness of the location. (We flew in by private charter single-engine plane; there are no roads in the area and the only other way in or out is via the Karawari River.) Our thatched bungalow had a terrific view of the river below, and the room, while only basically equipped, was perfectly comfortable. There was mosquito netting all around our bed, and we found it worked well, although fortunately there did not seem to be too many mosquitos around. The main lodge was just a short walk away and this was where we took all our meals, which were quite tasty, especially considering the remoteness of the location. The main lodge has a marvelous collection of masks and woven spirit figures, all of which contribute to a very authentic atmosphere. On our last night at Karawari, the lodge management arranged for the guests to be entertained by several local musicians who provided a wonderful music and dance performance. We thought that TNT, which apparently owns and manages the lodge, did an excellent job of arranging village visits for us in the Karawari area. They were all very enjoyable.…
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Date of stay: May 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Rooms
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Room Tip: If possible, try to get a bungalow with views over the Karawari River.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
My wife and I stayed at Karawari Lodge for 3 nights in July as part of a birding trip organised directly through Trans Niugini Tours. The accommodation in a group of rustic en suite chalets was good and the food and service pretty good. A problem with the shower hot water was resolved reasonably quickly and the daily programme managed efficiently. Our birding guide was knowledgable but as with Rondon Ridge, needed training in communicating and dealing with guests to ensure that , having travelled to the other side of the globe they are taken to where the target birds can be seen! The general background number of birds was disappointing presumably because the resident children still kill them. It was fascinating to cruise past the local people in their riverside villages and the scenery was very pleasant. As with Rondon Ridge there was a debacle with TNT head office, this time with their nonsensical flight arrangements which fortunately manager Paul was able to resolve, at the same time saving the pilot one flight and TNT some cost. In both cases we experienced the lodge managers should have more autonomy. Overall we enjoyed our 3 days in Karawari though our PNG trip was expensive and not terribly rewarding for birding compared with other destinations. We did see the Twelve-Wired BoP after badgering our guide that we westerners are actually not so 'weak spirited' that we cannot traverse some pasture.…
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Date of stay: July 2018Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Location
Cleanliness
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Room Tip: Most clients' rooms seem to have views , some further from main building via sloping concrete...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
We arrived here in September 2017 and the flight to this remote location was a great experience. The lodge was in a fantastic setting and the view overlooking the Karawari River and the surrounding jungle was awe inspiring. The common area was a nice place to gather and have a cold beer prior to having a very mediocre meal. It's unfortunate that they do not add any local flavor to their meals. As the power gets shut off at 10 PM, the only way to keep cool was to leave the windows open, and then the worst happened. The neighboring tribal village decided to have an all night rave with music blasting (found out it was from a car stereo) until sunrise. It made for a very long day the next day. The lodge manager said he would let the village know of the displeasure of the guests, but he was too lazy or afraid to do that so the music started up again at 8 PM. Fortunately, one of the guides went over to the village to ask for quiet, and they finally stopped. The power was left on that evening to allow the fans to stay on and keep the rooms cooler. Beautiful scenery, not well run and mediocre food.…
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Date of stay: September 2017Trip type: Travelled with family
Location
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Remote location , after flew from Mount Hagen to grassy airstrip in Karawari , immediately could feel it was a very remote location. Not a great place for bird watching but ideal for cultural tour and to see people and their villages. Lodge comfortable overlooking valley thickly covered with trees and Karawari River flowing. Though electricity was not for 24 hours caused us no difficulty , It was hot and humid during day but rained every night without fail to cool us and electricity came exactly at 4-45 in the morning . freshly brewed coffe or tea with choices of cookies on table brought by Manager himself before he mdrove us in front wheel drive vehicle to boat through muddy slippery road just when day light was showing in horizon.Villagers live on sago pancake and fish from river. Sago plants are endemic and everywhere and fish in abundance in river.Land is v fertile .Saw coffe and coco plants growing without much care . Had several pleasent walks along river shores . and cruising in boat for hours .Children run to plunge in river to cool themselves. Food nicely done by chef who took pride in serving best food he could prepare. Ashtoningly where every salad leaf or egg have to be flown from distant Mt Hagen , food served was of best quality and in abundance Room was clean shower worked well. If travel again would take medical supply , clothings and stationaries for children . Had an insight of Papuan villages and their people who live in closely knit community and always happy with broad smile . Had a pleasent stay .…
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Date of stay: October 2017Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This was my favorite lodge on my recent trip to PNG. While there is no air conditioning and it was quite warm, I just loved the authenticity of this lodge and the magnificent view of the river and surroundings. The staff was excellent.
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Our group spent two nights with amazing visits to several villages. The natives were very welcoming and greeted one and all very happily. The experiences can not be beat and thankfully the videos and images taken will be memorable for many years to come. The Lodge needs major restoration and improvements and the meals offered as well which were sub-par. The staff however tried their best to please the guests. Take lots of DEET...the bugs and mosquitos are fierce.
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Date of stay: May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
Yes, it has lovely views, museum quality artifacts for sale, etc. (see other reviews for these details). But it could be improved 100% by adding a generator so that a provided ceiling fan in each room could run all night to make sleep possible. Under mosquito netting, topped with plastic, and in the rain forest humidity, a working fan is essential for comfort. I have stayed in similar properties in other locations, such as the Danum Valley in Borneo, that manage to provide this, and it would take minimal expense and effort to do the same here in PNG. I strongly encourage ownership to look into this problem and solve it.
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Date of stay: May 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip: Not all rooms have river views, so ask for one.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Helpful
This place is about as remote as it gets! Had to take a tiny plane and land on a grass landing strip, then took a boat downriver to the lodge site. But the lodge was really authentically decorated and the staff were friendly, knowledgeable and local. Wonderful service, in spite of the atmosphere of "roughing it" with limited electricity, no wifi If you want an authentic experience and chance to view wildlife, this location is for you!!
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Date of stay: February 2017Trip type: Travelled with friends
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
Helpful
Response from Andrew N, General Manager at Karawari Lodge
Responded 28 Apr 2017
Hello Verna. Thanks for taking time to post you review of Karawari Lodge. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay. There seem to be few places left in the world that are as remote, exotic, authentic and hospitable as Karawari Lodge. Will share with the staff you comments about their friendliness, knowledge and service. Best regards, Andrew Neufeld General Manager Trans Niugini Tours
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LOCATION
Papua New GuineaMomase RegionKundiman
NUMBER OF ROOMS
10
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Frequently Asked Questions about Karawari Lodge
What are some of the property amenities at Karawari Lodge?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include an on-site restaurant, a lounge, and airport transportation.
What food & drink options are available at Karawari Lodge?
Guests can enjoy an on-site restaurant and a lounge during their stay.
Does Karawari Lodge have airport transportation?
Yes, Karawari Lodge offers airport transportation for guests. We recommend calling ahead to confirm details.