19 Jul 2028 - 01 Aug 2028 (14 days)
USD10,550 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Christian Artuso
Tour Price (Per person): USD10,550 (GBP8,123 * AUD15,702)
Single Supplement: USD690 (GBP531 * AUD1,027)
Flight costs: USD1,760 (GBP1,355 * AUD2,619)
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.
20 Aug 2029 - 02 Sep 2029 (14 days)
USD11,250 SPACES AVAILABLE
Tour Leader: Stephan Lorenz
Tour Price (Per person): USD11,250 (GBP8,661 * AUD16,744)
Single Supplement: USD760 (GBP585 * AUD1,131)
Flight costs: USD1,950 (GBP1,501 * AUD2,902)
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.
For the adventurous birder, few destinations offer the excitement, isolation and exceptional endemic birdlife of the Solomon Islands' remote forested interior. Our Santa Isabel & Makira Mega Endemics tour ventures well beyond the usual birding circuit, exploring two of the archipelago's most fascinating and biologically distinctive islands. Cloaked in extensive tropical rainforest, these rugged landscapes harbour an extraordinary collection of highly localised species, many found nowhere else on Earth. This is a dedicated expedition for serious birders and world listers, combining challenging forest exploration with opportunities to encounter some of the rarest and least-known birds in the Pacific.
Our adventure begins on Guadalcanal before heading north to Santa Isabel, where the remote highland forests surrounding Tirotonga provide access to several exceptional species. Foremost among these is the spectacular and notoriously elusive Black-faced Pitta, undoubtedly one of the most desirable birds in the Solomon Islands. Other outstanding targets include Fearful Owl, West Solomons Owl, Solomons Frogmouth, White-eyed Starling, North Solomons Dwarf Kingfisher and the exceptionally scarce Imitator Sparrowhawk. Working alongside experienced local guides, we will explore remote forest trails and search carefully for these highly sought-after species.
Black-faced Pitta; Fearful Owl; Solomons Frogmouth; West Solomons Owl; Imitator Sparrowhawk; Guadalcanal Dwarf Kingfisher; North Solomons Dwarf Kingfisher; Red-capped Myzomela; Yellow-throated White-eye; White-eyed Starling; Makira Owl; Makira Dwarf Kingfisher; Makira Honeyeater; Makira Thrush; Makira Fantail; Makira Flycatcher; Makira Leaf Warbler; Makira White-eye; Makira Cicadabird; Makira Starling; Sooty Myzomela; Shade Bush Warbler; White-collared Monarch; White-headed Fruit Dove; Crested Cuckoo-Dove; Yellow-legged Pigeon; Silver-capped Fruit Dove; Mottled Flowerpecker; Solomons Robin; Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon; Duchess Lorikeet; Yellow-bibbed Lory; Solomons Corella; Ultramarine Kingfisher; Black-headed Myzomela; Chestnut-bellied Monarch; Brown-winged Starling; White-billed Crow; Midget Flowerpecker; Finsch's Pygmy Parrot; Solomons Cuckooshrike; Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon; Solomons Brush Cuckoo.
Solomons Flying Fox; Pacific Flying Fox; Makira Flying Fox (rare).
Primary lowland and montane tropical rainforest, cloud forest, secondary woodland, forest edges, village gardens and coastal vegetation.
Hot, humid tropical conditions, generally 24–31°C at lower elevations, with frequent rainfall, potentially muddy trails and cooler conditions in the highlands.
6 with 1 Rockjumper tour leader
DIFFICULT: This is a high-intensity “mega” tour designed for passionate listers and serious birders who enjoy a fast-paced schedule. Due to its demanding nature, it’s not recommended for avid photographers, inexperienced birders, or anyone with mobility or health limitations.
Demanding to strenuous. A physically challenging tour requiring excellent fitness, stamina & mobility. Multiple lengthy hikes, remote locations & very basic facilities. Only suitable for experienced, adventurous travellers.
Comfortable hotels in Honiara. Very basic village homestays & forest lodges on Santa Isabel & Makira, with shared facilities, limited electricity & in some locations, no running water or conventional
Demanding to very demanding. Numerous elusive, highly localised forest endemics requiring considerable patience & persistence. Dense vegetation, difficult terrain & occasional nocturnal birding.
Remote Melanesian highland villages; traditional homestays and local cultural encounters; spectacular rainforest-covered mountains; pristine tropical island landscapes; community-guided forest exploration.
Challenging but potentially rewarding. Many targets inhabit dense, poorly lit rainforest & are difficult to observe/photograph.
Both Andre and Uthai were remarkably tireless and effective in finding and identifying birds, including some of the most elusive species in Thailand. They also did a great job of organizing the logistics of the trip. Our meals were already prepared when we arrived at restaurants and all of the hotel arrangements were handled smoothly. We probably will not consider going on another standard Rockjumper trip. Birding steadily from dawn to after dark was a bit much, especially for 22 uninterrupted days. This pace is appropriate for most serious birders so I don’t fault the guides, but we plan to shift to a style of traveling in which we can set our own schedule. We might consider one of Rockjumper's relaxed tours, but we're not concerned about long hikes and muddy trails as long as the schedule allows for a little down time to read, reflect and recover.
Great to have such an enthousiastic and patient leader in Glen Valentine.
The Buru extension following the RWPI Cruise was fantastic. I feel sorry for those on the main tour that did not take this extension. The birds were fabulous, Glen was a superb guide, and the scenery great. Glen did a great job trying to get us on all the birds, even the most rare and elusive. Again, flexibility was a key element in the success of the trip. I can't think of anything about the trip that could be done to improve it.
Stu is a personable, helpful, and organized guide and was a pleasure to travel with. He was ready to help not only with finding and identifying birds, but also with little problems that popped up during our trip, as they so often do. Our local guide was likewise consistently friendly and helpful. My main concern is that on this trip, as on past Rockjumper trips, there doesn't seem to be any effort to vet the physical ability of potential group members, and as a result those of us who are prepared for the experience are held back by those who are physically not ready for it. I know that trips are rated on the website in regards to the level of exertion required, but this does not seem to help -- I have been on multiple tours with people who are not physically capable of maintaining a steady level of exertion while birding. This is not fair to those of us who are.
This tour group was very eclectic but really worked well together. The leaders including the van driver did an exceptional job.
No Record Found
Sign up now and get the best deals straight in your inbox!
1-888-990-5552
info@rockjumper.com
