Honinabi Airport

Remote highland village offering raw Papua New Guinean culture and wilderness

Honinabi is a small, remote village located in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea, nestled within the rugged Star Mountains region near the border with Indonesia. It sits in one of the most isolated and least-visited corners of the country, accessible primarily by small aircraft or multi-day river and jungle trekking routes.

The area is home to the Faiwol people, who maintain traditional customs, clan structures, and subsistence lifestyles largely unchanged by modernization. Visitors who make the extraordinary effort to reach Honinabi are rewarded with authentic cultural encounters, dramatic mountain scenery, and virtually untouched tropical rainforest teeming with biodiversity.

Infrastructure is extremely limited, so travelers must be self-sufficient, experienced in remote expedition travel, and ideally accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide. This is a destination for serious adventurers, researchers, or missionaries rather than leisure tourists.

• •Star Mountains scenery — dramatic peaks and cloud forest landscapes unlike anywhere in PNG
• •Faiwol village life — observe traditional customs, dance, and clan ceremonies firsthand
• •Strickland River headwaters — pristine river system ideal for wildlife observation
• •Local bird-watching — endemic birds of paradise and rare highland species in dense jungle
• •Traditional gardens — see subsistence sweet potato and taro farming techniques
• •Community spirit houses — sacred men's meeting structures central to Faiwol culture

Getting around: There are no paved roads, taxis, buses, or rideshare services in Honinabi. The sole practical access is via Mission Aviation Fellowship or similar charter aircraft landing on the small grass airstrip. Within the village and surrounding area, all travel is done entirely on foot along jungle trails, often requiring local guides to navigate safely.

Best time: The drier months of May through October offer the most manageable trekking conditions, though rain can occur year-round in this highland rainforest zone.

Local food: Travelers should expect simple subsistence staples shared by villagers, including roasted sweet potato, taro, sago, leafy greens, and occasional wild game or freshwater fish cooked over open fires.

This guide is provided for general information only. Verify details locally before making travel decisions.