East Sepik Travel Guide
East Sepik accommodation, East Sepik activities and attractions, East Sepik maps, transportation to and around East Sepik - the ALL NEW Jasons East Sepik Destination Travel Guide is your complete visitor guide for East Sepik.
The mighty Sepik River – one of the world’s great waterways – runs through East Sepik Province, known for its traditional villages, mountain ranges and dense tropical jungle. The river is 1126km long, and navigable for most of its length. Wewak, with its palm-fringed beaches, is the provincial capital and port. Cape Wom, outside of Wewak town, is the site of the Japanese surrender on 13 September 1945. Most of East Sepik is accessible by air and there are daily flights from Port Moresby to Wewak. The Sepik people still observe elaborate scarification and initiation rites.
Attractions:
- Wewak
Pretty Wewak, at the foot of a high headland, has all services and wonderful golden sand beaches backed by swaying palms. It’s a jumping-off place for travel along the mighty Sepik River. Smaller airlines run services from here to remote parts of the province. The 18-hole golf course is east of town beyond the airport.
- Markets
The best is Taun Market, in town at the end of the main street. Kreer market is on the airport road just before it turns inland and Dagua is on Dagua Road near town.
- Arts and crafts
Baskets and bilums can be bought at Taun Market and at a stall at Chambri bus stop on Boram Road. Traders also sell jewellery and other pieces outside the Windjammer Hotel after 4pm. Masks can be bought inside the hotel. There is also a craft shop at the airport.
- Cape Wom
The wartime airstrip and memorial where the Japanese signed surrender documents on 13 September 1945 are 14km west of Wewak. Open 7am-6.30pm. There is good swimming and snorkelling on the west side of the Cape.
- War relics
Japanese war relics can be seen at Brandi High School, east of Cape Moem army base. Bomb craters are still visible around Boram Airport runway and the disused airport near town. The rusting remains of Japanese landing barges lie on the beach between Kreer market and the hospital.
- Muschu and Kairiru Islands
These lie close to Wewak and can be reached by the mission boat Tau-K or catch one of the small boats from the wharf near the post office. Kairuru Island is almost 800m high and has hot springs, waterfalls and good snorkelling.
- Maprik Area
Maprik town in the Prince Alexander Mountains overlooks the Sepik Basin. Many villages have spectacular forward-leaning haus tambarans and during July and August, when yams are harvested, there are ‘sing sings’ and rituals. Woven fibre masks, the region’s most famous artefacts, are used in yam ceremonies.
- Angoram & Lower Sepik River
From Angoram, 113km by road from Wewak, you can make trips by motorised canoe to some interesting places. The town has banks and trade stores, and there are several places to stay which offer boat trips. Good day trips are to Moim or Kambaramba and nearby lagoons, or to Kambot on the Keram River where there is accommodation. Beyond Kambot there is good forest with plenty of birds. Alternatively, visit the Murik Lakes on the coast and stay overnight.
- Ambunti & Middle Sepik River
This section of the river between Ambunti and Tambanum is regarded as the region’s cultural centre, and each village has its own artistic style. From Ambunti, reached by air from Wewak, travel is by motorised canoe down or up-river, staying in houses or village guesthouses. Villages in the Chambri Lakes area are notable for their polished carvings, spears and pottery. The Blackwater Lakes on the Korosameri tributary have stilt villages, dense forests and incredible birdlife.
- Sepik cruises
The easiest way to see the Sepik River is to cruise in luxury on the Sepik Spirit, run by Trans Niugini Tours, or on Melanesian Tourist Services Discoverer. Trans Niugini Tours also has a traditional-style haus tambaran lodge on the Karawari River from which it runs tours.
- Motorised canoe trips
You can organise your own trip from Ambunti or Angoram. Alternatively contact Sepik Adventure Tours/Ambunti Lodge for trips from Ambunti, or Sepik Village Tours/Angoram Hotel for trips from Angoram.