01 Aug 2028 - 13 Aug 2028 (13 days)
USD10,850 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Robert Williams
Tour Price (Per person): USD10,850 (GBP8,353 * AUD16,148)
Single Supplement: USD690 (GBP531 * AUD1,027)
Flight costs: USD2,090 (GBP1,609 * AUD3,111)
Pricing notes : Due to the extremely limited availability of inter-island flights, deposits must be paid 9 months prior to the departure date of the tour and are non-refundable. Single Room supplement is for Honiara only.
08 Aug 2029 - 20 Aug 2029 (13 days)
USD11,550 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Tour Price (Per person): USD11,550 (GBP8,892 * AUD17,190)
Single Supplement: USD760 (GBP585 * AUD1,131)
Flight costs: USD2,300 (GBP1,771 * AUD3,423)
Pricing notes : *All prices are estimated, and dates may change* Due to the extremely limited availability of inter-island flights, deposits must be paid 9 months prior to the departure date of the tour and are non-refundable. Single Room supplement is for Honiara only.
Few destinations capture the excitement of island birding quite like the Solomon Islands. Scattered across the tropical waters of the southwest Pacific, this remarkable archipelago comprises rugged volcanic islands, forested mountains, remote coral atolls and idyllic lagoons. Millions of years of geographical isolation have produced an extraordinary diversity of birds, including numerous highly localised endemics, some restricted to just a single island. For the visiting birder, each journey between islands brings the prospect of encountering an entirely new collection of specialities, making the Solomons one of the most rewarding and fascinating birding destinations in the Pacific.
Our exploration begins on Guadalcanal, where tropical forests harbour such sought-after species as Ultramarine Kingfisher, Chestnut-bellied Monarch and Finsch's Pygmy Parrot. We then venture into the spectacular Western Province, using Gizo as our base to explore the forested islands of Kolombangara, Vella Lavella and Ranongga. Here, an impressive selection of exceptionally range-restricted birds awaits, including Gizo, Kolombangara, Vella Lavella and Ranongga White-eyes, Kolombangara Monarch and the elusive New Georgia Dwarf Kingfisher.
Further south, the extraordinary raised coral atoll of Rennell supports its own distinctive collection of endemics, including Rennell Starling, Rennell Shrikebill, Rennell Fantail and the difficult Rennell Whistler. Our exploration continues to Malaita, where targets include Malaita Owl, Malaita White-eye, White-gorgeted Fantail, Sanford's Sea Eagle and the secretive Woodford's Rail. Throughout our travels, colourful fruit doves, imperial pigeons, parrots, kingfishers and an assortment of other tropical forest species add considerably to the experience.
Beyond its exceptional birdlife, the Solomon Islands offer magnificent tropical scenery, rich cultural traditions and a fascinating history. Our inter-island boat journeys provide opportunities for seabirds, dolphins and spectacular coastal scenery, while time on Guadalcanal allows us to explore sites associated with one of the pivotal campaigns of the Second World War. Combining outstanding endemic birding with remote island exploration, remarkable natural beauty and a genuine sense of adventure, this tour offers an unforgettable introduction to one of the Pacific's least-explored birding destinations.
Sanford's Sea Eagle; Woodford's Rail; Gizo White-eye; Vella Lavella White-eye; Ranongga White-eye; Kolombangara White-eye; Solomons White-eye; Malaita White-eye; Rennell White-eye; Rennell Starling; Rennell Shrikebill; Rennell Gerygone; Rennell Fantail; Rennell Whistler; New Georgia Dwarf Kingfisher; Malaita Owl; White-capped Monarch; Kolombangara Monarch; Malaita Monarch; Solomons Monarch; Ducorp's Cockatoo, Yellow-bibbed Lory; Meek's Lorikeet; Solomons Corella; Ultramarine Kingfisher; Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon; Buff-headed Coucal; Red-vested Myzomela; Yellow-vented Myzomela; Black-headed Myzomela; Chestnut-bellied Monarch; Steel-blue Flycatcher; Brown-winged Starling; Solomons Cuckooshrike; Midget Flowerpecker; White-winged Fantail; White-gorgeted Fantail; Guadalcanal Crow; Pale Mountain Pigeon; Long-tailed Myna; Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon; Finsch's Pygmy Parrot.
Solomons Flying Fox; Rennell Flying Fox; Pacific Flying Fox; Pantropical Spotted Dolphin
Tropical lowland and hill rainforest, secondary woodland, volcanic island forests, raised limestone-atoll forest, coastal wetlands, beaches, lagoons and offshore waters.
Warm and humid tropical conditions throughout the year, with temperatures generally around 25–31°C. Tropical showers and heavy rainfall are possible.
8 with 1 Rockjumper tour leader
MODERATE TO CHALLENGING: This tour requires a good level of fitness, stamina, and overall health. It’s best suited for experienced birders who are comfortable with a more active itinerary. Please note that it may not be ideal for avid photographers, new birders, or those with mobility or health concerns.
Moderate to brisk pace, with several early starts and long travel days. Good general health, reasonable fitness and mobility required. Multiple island transfers and remote locations.
Basic to comfortable. Standards vary considerably between islands, with some shared bathroom facilities & differences between rooms.
Moderate to demanding. Several elusive forest endemics requiring patience and persistence. Birding can be challenging in dense tropical vegetation.
World War II historical sites on Guadalcanal; spectacular volcanic islands and tropical coastal scenery; turquoise lagoons and coral reefs; optional snorkelling; Rennell's remarkable raised coral atoll; traditional island communities and Melanesian culture.
Worthwhile to good, particularly around coastal habitats. Forest photography is difficult due to poor light & dense vegetation.
An excellent trip. Good list of birds even though it was the relaxed itinerary. Rob’s recounting some of his excellent adventures was an added bonus.
While the birding was more difficult, the guides knowledge on where to search for some of the key species. Helped the group find a number of very interesting species of birds.
The tour structure and arrangements were first class. Leaders were very good and quite knowledgable. I thought Paul was energetic a d really on the birds. Would gladly travel with him again. It was great fun and we got nearly every endemic on the trip. Great fun!!
The trip was run superbly from start to finish. The logistics, despite some difficulties imposed by weather conditions and countrywide fuel shortages, were impeccable and I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. Stephan did a superb job in ensuring that we all saw as many of the species as possible. He is an accomplished guide and I enjoy traveling with him.
Note that some of the comments I made regarding the Thailand extension apply to the main Thailand tour. I liked the sequence of sites visited; it ensured the Spoonbill Sandpiper was seen early on and then designed to minimize travel. Staying multiple nights at one site is always appreciated and seemed to be done as much as possible. The guides made special efforts to see bird species sought by the group; we saw more bird species than I expected. The drivers were excellent and also one of them, Jaime, was a good birder who helped the guides track down some species; it was an asset to have internet while in the vehicles. The drivers also produced an excellent video of the trip - a nice touch; they also did an excellent job with mid-morning breaks. I especially enjoyed visiting a hide all morning early on in the trip - it gave us a chance to see some elusive species but also several species very well. One morning was spent looking for a rare duck; I would have rather spent the time looking for a variety of Thai species. Quite a bit of birding was done along roads - it might have been better to bird trails etc. if they are available and afford good views of birds pointed out. Food was excellent (Uthai selected great dishes for the group) and accomodations were good. It was an enjoyable trip with rewarding looks at many of the bird species seen.
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