Beleni

Foke

Kebara

Manuwa

Misima

Savaia

The Beleni family block is 4.5 km along a wide, flat road from the Kokoda airstrip. There are eight houses in which about 20 people live. A small trading store stocks basic items.

Visitors stay in the new guest house, which can accommodate 6 people in ten partitioned "rooms". Sheets, pillows and foam sleeping mats are supplied. There's also a verandah for relaxing and enjoying a chat. The family has a well-equipped kitchen and offers a good range of foods, mostly from the family gardens.

Their excellent flower gardens are a great attraction for the beautiful Ulysses butterflies that abound in this area. Pure drinking water comes from a nearby spring. Grassy lawns and a range of unique activities make this an excellent place to stay.

The family is very experienced in looking after visitors.

Activities offered

• Floating down the smooth, fast Mambare River on large rubber tubes (transport required).

• Two-day walk to Naro, an historic WW2 Australian artillery post site overlooking the valley, not otherwise accessible as it's on private land (transport required).

• A traditional dance performance can be arranged, but advance booking is essential. [Why?]

• Gold panning near Ebei (transport required)

• Fish farming and the village gardens

• Visit Kokoda Museum and Station

• Four-day mini-Trail trek taking in Misima, Abuari, Isurava, Deniki and Kevelo villages. Includes a WW2 plane crash site and Maeka waterfall.

• See Queen Alexander birdwings, the largest butterflies in the world. We can also show you Birds of Paradise and many other species.

Cost

There is an all-inclusive* charge of K100 per person per night which includes shelter, bedding, food, porter, walks, activities, etc.

*Not included is traditional dancing, which costs K500 per performance (shared amongst the audience). Performances must be booked at least two weeks in advance. [Why?]

Book a homestay with the Beleni family