A British 'danger tourist' has blazed a trail by being the first globetrotter to reach several indigenous tribes in Papua New Guinea. Daniel Pinto is on a quest to tick off all 195 countries worldwide, has so far notched up an impressive 138. He recently spent three weeks soaking up the culture of this Pacific nation. Before even setting foot on the island, Daniel planned how he would engage with its tribal communities, later partnering with amicable locals who guided him through his journey.
Amongst the tribes Daniel lodged with were the skeleton tribe, the crocodile people, and the spirit birds, sharing in their ceremonies, celebrations, hunting expeditions, and sometimes staying in their guesthouses or homes. Describing Papua New Guinea as "the last frontier", Daniel marvelled over the experience of visiting tribes untouched by tourism.
Daniel, who's no stranger to conflict zones having travelled to Libya, Iraq, and Syria, thrives on venturing into lands reputed for danger, finding joy in discovering the unseen. From Lambeth, south London, professional traveller Daniel enthused: "Papua New Guinea is one of the last places where you can do stuff that nobody else has done. It still has villages and tribes that people have not visited yet.
"I found it incredible that in 2024 I was the first tourist that some tribes have ever seen. That is why I love the country, it was incredible and the people were so friendly.". Globe-trotter Daniel embarked on the adventure to Papua New Guinea in early December. He said that he's always been drawn to the country and spent a thrilling three weeks immersing himself in the local culture, staying with no less than 10 different tribes. "It is very raw, very remote and is considered a bit dangerous," he added.
