Visit Natives

01/06/2026

Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse country in the world.

More than 840 living languages are still spoken across the country, representing over 10% of all the world’s languages. In some regions, villages only a few kilometres apart may speak completely different languages.

Many Papua New Guineans grow up speaking several languages: their tribal language, Tok Pisin, English, and often the languages of neighbouring communities.

These languages are more than words. They carry stories, identity, traditional knowledge, and unique ways of understanding the world.

When a language disappears, a part of humanity’s cultural heritage disappears with it.

Papua New Guinea reminds us why protecting linguistic diversity matters. 🌏🌿

01/06/2026

Is Papua New Guinea safe to visit?

It is one of the first questions travellers ask before considering a journey there.

The answer is not as simple as yes or no. Papua New Guinea requires planning, trusted local guides and realistic expectations, but it is also far more welcoming and rewarding than many headlines suggest.

Our new guide covers Port Moresby, the Highlands, women travellers, solo travel, tribal conflict, flight delays and what safety actually looks like on the ground.

https://wix.to/qTGCqcL

Is Papua New Guinea safe for travel?Before travelling to Papua New Guinea, I read the same travel warnings many people find online: crime, tribal fighting, unrest, poor infrastructure and security concerns. Those risks are real, and I would never suggest ignoring them. But after travelling in the Hi...

31/05/2026

One of the world's most extraordinary countries.

Papua New Guinea is raw, fascinating, unpredictable and culturally unlike anywhere else on Earth.

The video gives a small glimpse into one of our cultural visits in the Highlands, where Anniina is dressed by Asaro women as part of a community encounter.

In February 2027, Visit Natives returns to Papua New Guinea for one of our rare small group expeditions, guided by Visit Natives founder Anniina Sandberg, whose academic background is in African Studies and cultural anthropology.

This is a journey for curious, open-minded and adventurous travellers who are comfortable with simple conditions and want to experience something far beyond ordinary travel.

Expect Birds of Paradise, Asaro Mudmen, remarkable Highland cultures and the possibility to add an optional Sepik River extension by boat.

Learn more:

One of the most extraordinary places I have ever visited

30/05/2026

Why do the Maasai drink blood?

It is one of the most misunderstood Maasai traditions.

No, it is not just warriors who drink blood. Women drink it too, especially during pregnancy, after childbirth, and in certain ceremonial contexts.

Traditionally, blood has been valued as a source of nutrition, strength, and recovery, and is often mixed with milk.

Want to understand the tradition beyond the stereotypes?

Read the full article via the link in bio → Fieldnotes.

29/05/2026

Why do the Maasai drink cattle blood?

In our latest blog post, we explore the cultural, nutritional and spiritual meanings behind this long-standing tradition.

It is not about shock value. It is about the central role cattle play in Maasai identity, health, ceremonies and everyday life.

Read more:

https://wix.to/rwGEB8e

Quick AnswerYes, some Maasai traditionally drink cattle blood. Blood has historically been valued for its nutritional benefits, especially during illness, recovery and certain ceremonial occasions. However, tourists often focus on the blood, while the Maasai focus on the cattle. To understand why bl...

13/05/2026

Once a year in Arctic Norway, a Sami reindeer herding family migrates with thousands of reindeer across the tundra, and only a few travelers are invited to join.

Our 2027 Sami Reindeer Migration dates are now open.

✨ Only 16 places total
✨ Just 4 guests per departure
✨ 2026 sold out

This is one of the rarest cultural journeys in the world.

If it has ever been on your dream list, this is your moment.

Link in bio.

Photo credits to our guest

13/05/2026

Join one of the world’s rarest cultural journeys! Our new April 2027 Sami Reindeer Migration dates are now open.

Only 4 guests per departure and just 16 places in total.

Sleep in a traditional Sami "lavvu" tent, travel across the Arctic tundra, and join a real Sami reindeer herding family during their spring migration.

2026 sold out, so now is the time to reserve your place for 2027.

https://wix.to/C1jaeki

Photo: Michiko Kimura

Only 16 Places: Sami Reindeer Migration 2027 Now Open

09/05/2026

In Papua New Guinea, body painting is not simply decoration.

It is a visual language.

Across different communities, paint, clay, charcoal and ornament can speak of clan, ceremony, spirit, status, transformation and ancestral memory.

The body becomes a living surface where culture is carried, performed and remembered.

And in a country with more than 800 languages, there is never just one meaning.

Many worlds. Many stories. Many ways of being human.

Book a private Papua New Guinea Highlands expedition any time, or join our next small group journey in February 2027 hosted by

Link in bio.

28/04/2026

The final stretch of the Sami reindeer migration is coming to an end, as the herds arrive at their spring grazing grounds.

Only 18 travelers each year are given the chance to follow this journey. A rare and raw Arctic experience that is not staged, not performed, but lived.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this year, and to those who chose to be part of something deeper than travel.

By being here, you directly support Sami families and help preserve a way of life that continues through generations.

Thank you for joining the migration and capturing this image

27/04/2026

This is where you sleep when you follow the reindeer in Northern Norway.

You don’t arrive at a hotel at the end of the day, instead you step into a tent like this, with reindeer hides, a fire in the middle, and a place that slowly starts to feel like home.

It’s not comfort in the way we are used to thinking about it, and still, it might be one of the warmest places you will ever sleep.

Travel changes when you leave your own routines behind and spend time inside the everyday life of someone else.

Join the Sámi reindeer spring migration in 2027.
We host only 18 people each year. Check the link in bio.