The missing explorer Benedict Allen has been found alive and well in the wilds of Papua New Guinea.

What all the news reports omitted to mention was that he was in PNG primarily to lead a small group tour for UK-based operator Reef & Rainforest Tours - he most probably would not have been there otherwise.

Benedict Allen had asked Reef & Rainforest if he could remain in PNG after the tour group had returned home, so the company had duly arranged his flight into Wewak and two nights in a hotel in that town (ie 24 & 25 October) as well as his return flight to Port Moresby and onward flight to Hong Kong. His onward expedition was organised by himself.

Reef & Rainforest's in-country agents were the first to raise the alarm after Benedict Allen failed to return to Port Moresby on a scheduled Air Niugini flight in from Wapenamanda on 12 November which had been booked by Reef & Rainforest at his request.

The explorer was due to stay overnight in Port Moresby and then catch a flight to Hong Kong on 13 November to deliver a speech to the local Geographical Society there, which he of course missed.

After informing Reef & Rainforest of his no-show, the company called Allen's agents in Bristol, Jo Sarsby Management, to tell them the news, after which the story was picked up by the national media.

The accompanying photograph shows Benedict Allen's first encounter as a young man with the Yaifo tribe with whom he was trying to regain contact when he went missing.* 

Reef & Rainforest is delighted that Benedict has now been found, especially after he had done such a fine job leading our small group who returned home very satisfied with the trip and with his leadership. We know his wife, Lenka, and their three children will be over the moon now he has been found safe and well, and are greatly looking forward to his returning home to Prague.

*PLEASE NOTE: The accompanying photograph is COPYRIGHT BENEDICT ALLEN and must NOT be used under any circumstances by the media without his express permission. Do not copy and reproduce the photograph.