Papua New Guinea's Provinces and People - East Sepik Province

Map of Papua New Guinea showing East Sepik Province

Flag of East Sepik Province

East Sepik is a province in Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Wewak. East Sepik has an estimated population of 343,180 people (2000 census) and is roughly 42,800 km square in size.

Wewak, the provincial capital, is located on the coast of East Sepik. There are a scattering of islands off shore, and coastal ranges dominate the landscape just inland of the coast.

The remainder of the province's geography is dominated by the Sepik River, which is one of the largest rivers in the world in terms of water flow and is known for flooding -- the river's level can alter by as much as five metres in the course of the year as it rises and falls. The southern areas of the province are taken up by the Hunstein Range and other mountain ranges which form the central cordillera and feed the Sepik River.

The districts of East Sepik Province and their current members of parliament are shown below.

East Sepik Provincial - Sir Michael Somare

Ambunti-Dreikikir District - Tonny Aimo Waterupu

Angoram District - Arthur Somare

Maprik District - Gabriel Lenny Kapris

Wewak District - Jim Simatab

Wosera-Gawi District - Ronald Asik

Yangoru-Saussia District - Peter Wanaru Waranaka (Governor)

Although East Sepik has a long coastline, Wewak is the only town on the coast. Most of the province’s population is in villages and towns inland along the Sepik River.

Most tourists entering the East Sepik province do so on board Sepik River cruises out of Madang. Wewak town only experiences a small number of bona fide tourist arrivals. From Wewak, visitors can travel by PMV to Maprik, Yangoru, and the river towns of Angoram, Timbunke, and Pagwi. Light aircraft fly out to April River, Ambunti and numerous other small grass airfields.

Previous independent travellers visiting the Sepik recommend that you don’t try to “see it all”. The Sepik area is hot, humid, and from December to June is often thick with mosquitoes (June to November are the best months to visit). Moving around - especially on foot - can be tiring and uncomfortable.

It is said to be better to stay put in one or two destinations for a few days at a time, experiencing the people, culture and art of the district, than to try to accumulate a kaleidoscope of experiences on a punishing schedule of visits to multiple villages.

Wewak itself is a quietly pleasant little town. There is a busy main market where handicrafts are sold, but mainly baskets and shells, not many carvings. Surprisingly, it is actually quite difficult to find carvings and artifacts to buy in Wewak town.

There is a roadside stall on the main road selling Chambri Lakes handcrafts and the Alois Shop opposite the Airlink terminal has a range of artifacts although not cheap. The shopping centre has a couple of small supermarkets and several Chinese general stores. The Christian Bookshop near the market has local maps and guidebooks.

There is a good airport with a sealed runway about 10 minutes drive from the town centre. There is one motel on the beach opposite the airport (Airport Lodge), and the largest hotel, the Windjammer Beach Resort, is right on the beach halfway into town. The other places are right in the town centre area.

There is an excellent walking beach between the Windjammer and the town shops, a distance of about 3 kilometres. Wewak is a safe town where you can take a stroll along the street or beach without looking over your shoulder.