4 Mar 2014

PNG ecolodge named in Lonely Planet top 10

11:44 am on 4 March 2014

An ecolodge in Papua New Guinea has been named by Lonely Planet as one of the top ten eco-stay places in the world for 2014.

Nuli Sapi, owned by cousins Maniana and Isiah Mwado, is made up of four traditional bush material bungalows in Logeia Island in Milne Bay.

Isiah Mwado, who has always lived in the area, says making the list was a surprise as he did not know Lonely Planet was visiting.

Mr Mwado says the bungalows, built among mangrove trees on the water, were constructed by his family with locally-sourced materials and help from the community.

He says the lodge encourages visitors to get involved in local activities, such as watching sago being made, learning about traditional cooking or fishing on an outrigger canoe.

"We take them for bushwalking up to the main land and to the islands for picnics and manta ray snorkelling, fishing as well. We also have canoes to paddle around, and we have a little town just across from our island."

Isiah Mwado says just 30 to 40 people visit a year.