Angoram

Angoram is a town on the lower Sepik River in East Sepik Province, located roughly 40 km upstream from the river's mouth on the Bismarck Sea. It is the administrative centre for the Angoram District and was historically an important colonial patrol post and river transport hub. The town sits at the transition between the Sepik floodplain and the coastal mangroves, in the territory of the Iatmül and related Sepik peoples whose ancestors produced the region's famous yam masks, spirit figures, and garamut (slit drums).

Angoram was heavily damaged by the 1998 Aitape tsunami, which swept several kilometres up the Sepik estuary and destroyed large parts of the town. It has since been rebuilt but remains a modest government station with a market, airstrip, health centre, and a handful of trade stores. For travellers, Angoram is the common starting point for Sepik river journeys upstream toward Ambunti and beyond.

By Plane

Angoram Airport (AQM) has scheduled PNG Air services from Wewak (20 min flight) and Port Moresby (via Wewak). A taxi or PMV from the airstrip to town is K10–20.

By Car / Road

The sealed road from Wewak to Angoram is about 100 km and takes 2 hours. PMVs run regularly (K20–30).

Angoram is walkable. For Sepik river trips, motorised canoes can be hired (K200–500 per day depending on fuel). Boat charters for multi-day Sepik journeys are best arranged through a Wewak-based tour operator.

• Sepik River — at Angoram the river is broad, brown, and tidal, flanked by nipa palm and sago swamps; river traffic of canoes and motorboats is constant.

• Angoram Market — a daily market selling Sepik produce: sago, fish, crocodile meat, betel nut, and bilum bags.

• WWII relics — scattered Japanese and Allied equipment along the riverbanks and in the surrounding bush.

• Sepik River cruise — day trips or multi-day journeys upstream to Iatmül and Chambri Lakes villages known for their carving and pottery traditions.

• Village visits — traditional Sepik spirit houses (haus tambaran) can be visited in nearby villages with a local guide.

• Fishing — the Sepik estuary is excellent for barramundi, mangrove jack, and freshwater sharks; hire a local fisherman.

• Angoram guesthouse — meals by arrangement: Sepik river fish, sago, and rice. K30–60.
• Market food — grilled fish in banana leaf, sago pancakes, and fresh fruit. K5–15.

Bottled or boiled water essential. Coconut water from sellers. SP Lager at trade stores.

• Budget: Angoram guesthouse or Sepik River lodge — basic rooms from K80–150/night.
• Mid-range: Karawari Lodge or Magali Lodge (upstream) — from K250–500 all-inclusive, including boat transfers.

Sepik carvings, bilum bags, and woven baskets at the Angoram market. This is one of the best places in PNG to buy authentic Sepik artefacts but quality varies — a knowledgeable guide helps.

• Wewak (100 km east, 2 hr by road) — East Sepik capital, airport, WWII sites, Cape Wom.
• Ambunti (by boat upstream, 6–8 hr) — upper Sepik river town and gateway to the April River and central Sepik carving villages.
• Chambri Lakes (by boat, 3–4 hr south-west) — freshwater lake system known for pottery and birdlife.
• Maprik (by road, 2 hr north) — Abelam yam-cultivation area, known for towering yam house facades.