The Highlands
Rondon Ridge
Rondon Ridge is a modern lodge situated at 7100 feet on Kum Mountain, near Mt Hagen, enjoying magnificent views of the Hagen Range, Mount Giluwe, the Sepik Divide, the Baiyer Gap and Wahgi Valley. The climate is one of pleasant, spring-like weather. Guests are accommodated in spacious, simply decorated rooms, each featuring 180-degree views, modern bathroom, electric blankets and duvets for the cool highland evenings. The main building houses the lounge, bar, dining room, conference centre and is warmed by a cosy fireplace. There is 24-hour electricity supplied by its own hydroelectric power plant.
Rondon Ridge is a 40-minute drive from Mount Hagen and close to pristine rainforest,. There are abundant orchids and amphibians. This is the land of the Melpa tribe and visitors can observe their traditional customs and lifestyles.
Facilities
Restaurant, bar, lounge, 24-hour electricity, conference centre, electric blankets, seating area and TV and a fireplace.
Local Wildlife
180 bird species including Macgregors’s bowerbird and brown sicklebill, and 10 species of bird of paradise including Stephanie’s astrapia, the superb bird of paradise and King of Saxony. Amphibians and orchids are abundant. Mammals are present but are extremely difficult to see.
Optional Activities
Bird and wildlife watching excursions in the local rainforest and cultural activities such as visits to Melpa villages.
Claire Pote
Area Specialist
Visit during August to see the spectacular Mount Hagen Cultural Show.
If you have any questions regarding our Papua New Guinea tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
It is difficult to comprehend that the holiday is over. PNG is a special, amazing place where you still feel like a traveller/explorer, not a tourist. The images of the extremely varied birds, culture, people and scenery will remain with me always. Thank you for arranging it!
About 90 percent of the tour was wonderful. Reggiana’s Bird of Paradise displaying on the first afternoon, awesome! Food was superb throughout (a first for Shirley and I!). Logistics were essentially smooth and punctual. Regarding the lodges Raintree Lodge served it’s purpose, a comfortable base. Rondon was contemporary and well appointed (lovely rooms). Kumul was, as expected, rudimentary but an experience enhanced by THAT BIRD FEEDING STATION!). I was literary just two metres away from a Bird of Paradise! Wailindi was relaxing and very efficient. Everywhere the people were so affable and welcoming!! Incomprehensible levels of diversity regarding the culture, remarkable.
