There are no roads or permanent paths inside the island. In fact, there are no animal trails either - as there are no large herbivores (the largest forest animal a 45 kg bird called the Cassowary). The locals do not even roam the interior of the island, as they are mainly engaged in fishing.
Mangrove forests and swamps are found on the northern side of the island, but are almost absent on the southern side. The only way to make progress is to make field attempts (through the mangrove zone), climbing up the valleys of watercourses or cutting a path through the forest. The higher elevations of the island have never been...
In the first years, we explored the watercourses of the northern coast of Batanta, exclusively with 1-day field trips. In 2014-2015, we tried exploring with local helpers (porters) for 1-2-3 days. However, the local helpers were so "scared" of forest camping that we have since then been walking Batanta on our own. However, regular help in exploring the south side of the island is provided by 2 friends (Kristian and Ronnius Sauyai) from Wailebet.
Papua Paradise EcoResort provides the infrastructure for our exploratory trips. On the one hand we regenerate in the Resort between two field programs, on the other hand we get food, various equipment and a motorboat (with crew) to and from the field program site. Occasionally the boat will wait for us on the beach or take us back to the Resort after several days.
For field trips we only take the essentials. In the forest we sleep under a tarp on a mattress, wrapped in a sheet. Collecting equipment (batteries, electric fishing gear, light bulbs, cables, collecting trays, fishing nets) make up the bulk of the pack. Food is kept to a minimum, water is sourced from streams.
Mangrove forests and swamps are found on the northern side of the island, but are almost absent on the southern side. The only way to make progress is to make field attempts (through the mangrove zone), climbing up the valleys of watercourses or cutting a path through the forest. The higher elevations of the island have never been...
In the first years, we explored the watercourses of the northern coast of Batanta, exclusively with 1-day field trips. In 2014-2015, we tried exploring with local helpers (porters) for 1-2-3 days. However, the local helpers were so "scared" of forest camping that we have since then been walking Batanta on our own. However, regular help in exploring the south side of the island is provided by 2 friends (Kristian and Ronnius Sauyai) from Wailebet.
Papua Paradise EcoResort provides the infrastructure for our exploratory trips. On the one hand we regenerate in the Resort between two field programs, on the other hand we get food, various equipment and a motorboat (with crew) to and from the field program site. Occasionally the boat will wait for us on the beach or take us back to the Resort after several days.
For field trips we only take the essentials. In the forest we sleep under a tarp on a mattress, wrapped in a sheet. Collecting equipment (batteries, electric fishing gear, light bulbs, cables, collecting trays, fishing nets) make up the bulk of the pack. Food is kept to a minimum, water is sourced from streams.