Papua New Guinea's Largest Cave: Sapmanga

Papua New Guinea's largest known cave is Sapmanga Cave, located in the Wewak District of East Sepik Province.

Key Details

• Location: South coast of the northern peninsula, ~10 km (6.2 mi) overland from Wewak (provincial capital).
• Features: Massive chambers, extensive passages, permanent stream, significant speleothems.
• Ecology: Hosts a large permanent colony of bats (multiple species), crucial for guano ecosystem and pollination.
• Cultural Significance: Known to local communities; associated with traditional beliefs.

PNG has extensive karst systems (e.g., Nakanai Mountains, Muller Range) with many unexplored caves. Sapmanga is the largest *documented* by volume/length, but remote regions likely harbor larger systems. Access requires local guides, permits, and caving expertise; not a developed tourist site.