The Solomon Islands are one of the few remaining places where one can well and truly get away from it all. Many of these islands support only tiny coastal villages where the main mode of transport is dugout canoe and where fishing on reefs by hand is commonplace. They are very much off the tourist map and, until recently, have been difficult and expensive for birders to reach – and the Solomons are worth reaching! The tour of these islands (and the optional extension to remote Rennell Island) offer the opportunity to see more than 70 endemics and more than 20 near-endemics (also found on other Melanesian islands), in addition to a large number of regional specialties.   

In addition to the allure of the numerous endemics, near endemics, and endemic subspecies, we will also have the chance to see the sole members of four genera known exclusively to these islands: Woodford’s Rail, Solomons Frogmouth, Makira Honeyeater, and the Bare-eyed White Eye as the stars of the show.  

Islands visited: Guadalcanal, Makira, Malaita, Santa Isabel, Gizo, Kolombangara, Vella Lavella, and Ranongga. 

Day 1: The tour begins this evening in Honiara, Guadalcanal. Keen observers will note Common Myna, Pacific Swallow, and Eastern Cattle Egret en route from the airport to our hotel and in the environs. Night in Honiara.

Day 2: After breakfast, we’ll transfer to the airport for a short flight to spectacular Malaita Island. Upon arrival on Malaita, we’ll collect our 4x4 vehicles and begin driving to the densely forested highlands where our lodge will welcome us with a fresh, chilled coconut beverage. Birding is possible from the lodge as well as along several trails that access deeper forest. Species likely here include Yellow-bibbed and Cardinal Lory, Coconut Lorikeet, Papuan Eclectus, Pacific Baza, White-bellied and Barred Cuckooshrikes, Midget Flowerpecker, Solomons Monarch, Malaita White-eye, Long-tailed Myna, and Metallic and Singing Starlings. Night in homestay on Malaita. 

Day 3: We’ll offer optional early morning birding around the lodge property, picking up new species amidst the dawn chorus. Among likely species are wonders such as Blyth’s Hornbill, Red-vested Myzomela and Claret-breasted Fruit-dove. After breakfast we’ll take an extensive but slow walk along nearby trails accompanied by our knowledgeable resident guide and target other specialties known to these lush forests such as the fascinating Malaita Boobook, the truly superb Superb Fruit-Dove, Chestnut-bellied Imperial Pigeon, a subspecies of Oriole Whistler and a glorious endemic subspecies (and likely future split) of White-winged (Cockerell’s) Fantail. Night in homestay on Malaita. 

Day 4: After morning birding around the lodge, we’ll depart by boat for the coastal town of Auki for lunch, followed by a visit to one of the coastal conservation areas where we’ll enter the realm of the magnificent Sanford’s Sea Eagle, an apex predator with a 6-foot wingspan and an appetite for everything from fruit bats to fish, ducks and pigeons! Another, and equally (if not more) coveted inhabitant of Malaita’s lowlands is Woodford's Rail, which we’ll also target. The shores of surrounding small bays are excellent locations for views of wading and coastal specialists, including Terek and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Beach Thick-Knee and Common Sandpiper. Others such as Striated Heron and Pacific Reef Heron are distinct possibilities. Night in Auki hotel. 

Day 5: We’ll make our way back to Honiara, the central hub from which we’ll launch many of our forays to other more remote islands. Given the uncertainty of our plane’s arrival time, nothing further is scheduled. Options include relaxing at our hotel, a walk into the bustling city center of Honiara and perhaps the Central Market (selling almost every locally grown product imaginable), or perhaps a visit to the National Museum or the Botanic Gardens, which can yield some interesting birds including Black-headed Myzomela and the stunning Duchess Lorikeet. Night in Honiara.  

Day 6: We’ll leave early for Parangiju, also on the island of Guadalcanal, where we hope to connect with several species, including Moustached Treeswift, Ducorp’s Cockatoo, Red-knobbed and Island Imperial-Pigeons, Brahminy Kite, among many others. We’ll have breakfast with a view at a lookout and afterwards walk along some of the many trails around the property. Additional species possible here include Steel-blue Flycatcher, Dollarbird, Brown-winged Starling, and the astonishingly small Finsch’s Pygmy-parrot. Later, we’ll visit a locally owned and operated cocoa farm where we’ll take lunch and sample local products. The garden, filled with a range of splendid tropical flowering plants, attracts the lovely Olive-backed Sunbird and highly coveted Midget Flowerpecker, while larger birds such as Buff-headed Coucal and Long-tailed Myna occupy the surrounding forest. Night in Honiara. 

Day 7: We’ll fly to Gizo in the remote Western Province. The Solomon Islands are comprised of more than 600 islands, and as we make this flight, we’ll pass over some 300 of them! Upon arrival we’ll board a water taxi to transfer to our hotel. If time allows, we’ll bird around the hotel. Although it’s primarily a base for us, Gizo does have a sole endemic, the Gizo White-Eye, and we’ll seek an audience with this handsome little species. Specialties in and around our accommodation also include the tiny Steel-blue Flycatcher. The Western Sols are located in a utopian coastal setting with turquoise waters and shallow reefs positively teeming with tropical fish of every imaginable color. Indeed, it may prove difficult to drag ourselves away in the morning to go island hopping! Night at local Gizo resort.  

Day 8: We’ll depart early by boat to the nearby island of Kolombangara, a dormant volcano that rises sharply from the ocean and most often has its peaks in the clouds. After arriving, we’ll head for the hills via 4x4 vehicles. A moderate hike into the moist jungle likely will yield views of Solomons and Barred Cuckooshrikes, Blythe’s Hornbill, Willie-wagtail, White-winged Fantail, and Yellow-vented Myzomela. We’ll also be alert for Solomon’s and Kolombangara White-eyes, as well as two glorious near-threatened endemic flycatchers, the distinguishingly coiffed White-capped Monarch and Kolombangara Monarch. We’ll take lunch at a remote mountain lodge with a panoramic view of the adjacent valley and, hopefully, soaring raptors such as Pied Goshawk. After lunch we’ll bird the property for a short while, targeting other species of interest such as Long-tailed Koel, Metallic and Pale Mountain Pigeons, and Meek’s Lorikeet. On our boat ride back to Gizo we’ll be alert for marine life including seabirds such as Red-footed Booby, Common and Great Crested Terns, and Black Noddy. Night at local Gizo resort.  

Day 9: We’ll cover two islands in a single day. Our vessel propelled by powerful outboard motors, will collect us from shore in the morning and steer northwest to Vella Lavella, the largest of the Western Province islands. We’ll spend the first half of the day birding here where the main target will be the Vella Lavella White-eye. The lush landscape is also home to other species of interest, including the minuscule New-Georgia Dwarf Kingfisher, our only chance of seeing this striking bird. 

In the afternoon, we’ll investigate the much smaller, but more species-rich island of Ranongga, less than 10 km away. Another single-island endemic, the Ranongga White-eye, will be our main target, along with Island Imperial Pigeon, and the usually common Beach Kingfisher, whose long churring calls should alert us to their location as they home in on a driftwood perch. 

Travelling between the islands by boat provides us with the tour’s best pelagic birding. Among species known to these waters are Brown Noddy, Roseate Tern, Long-tailed Jaeger, Wilson’s Storm Petrel, and Wedge-tailed Shearwater. 

Please note anyone not wanting to undertake the day trip to Vella Lavella and Ranongga will have the option of remaining on Gizo and spending a morning snorkeling and/or kayaking (equipment included with your stay). Night at local Gizo resort.  

Day 10: After breakfast we’ll travel via water taxi to the airport for our flight back to Honiara. After checking into our hotel, the rest of the day is free. Night in Honiara.

Day 11: After breakfast we’ll leave for species-rich Makira, the largest of the islands in Makira Ulawa Province. It’s densely forested with habitats ranging from moist montane forest to lowland swamp and is home to a number of endemics. Upon arrival we’ll transfer to our hotel in the nearby township of Kirakira. Night on Kirakira.

Day 12: Today there is a very difficult hike into the highlands of Makira, during which we will be seeking several endemics including such wonderful and varied treasures as Sooty Myzomela, Makira Fantail, the near-endemic Silver-capped Fruit Dove, Shade Bush Warbler, Makira Flycatcher, White-collared Monarch, Makira Honeyeater, Makira Thrush, Makira Starling; along with excellent chances for Cardinal Myzomela, Chestnut-bellied Monarch, Chestnut-bellied Imperial-Pigeon, and vocalist extraordinaire - the Makira Cicadabird! 

Note: The hike today is one of the most challenging of the entire trip, typically lasting between 3-5 hours, depending on fitness levels and weather and trail conditions. Underfoot can be slippery and muddy and sips, trips and falls are likely/possible. Overnight will be camping. This will be extremely basic, with only that which your guides/porters are able to carry on the hike used to comprise and make up the camp. 

Day 13: A morning of birding in the highlands before hiking back down to and heading to the main township of Kirakira. Remainder of day to relax in hotel.  

Day 14: After breakfast we’ll head to the airport and our return flight to Honiara. Night in Honiara.  

Day 15: Early morning birding at Mount Austen birdwatching station where we’ll look for any species we may have missed, possibly including Ultramarine Kingfisher, Mackinlay’s Cuckoodove and Brown-winged Starling. After lunch, we’ll visit a WWII museum and bird in the lower elevation forests with by-now familiar avifauna. Night in Honiara. 

Day 16: We’ll fly to Santa Isabel, the northernmost island we’ll visit on our adventures in the South Pacific. During our hike into the densely forested highlands, we may encounter Scarlet-naped Myzomela, Yellow-throated White-eye, North Solomons Dwarf-Kingfisher, and Metallic Starling, as well as Glossy and Uniform Swiftlets performing their delicate aerial dances in the skies above. If we are incredibly fortunate, we may even see the endangered Imitator Sparrowhawk, known to inhabit this area. We’ll arrive at the highland village and overnight there in shared homes.   

Note: The hike up to Tirotonga is difficult. You will be birding along the way for the species listed above, but it is over difficult ground and can be (weather dependent) extremely slippery and muddy. A high level of fitness is needed for this hike, which averages between 3-6 hours, depending on trail and weather conditions and overall health and fitness. By staying at Tirotonga Village, you are able to wake early and ensure you are physically in position at first light to start scanning for targets, thereby giving yourself the absolute best chance of seeing the easternmost-dwelling pitta on the planet, along with a number of other specialties such as Solomons Frogmouth, Fearful Owl and Solomons Bobook. The accommodation in Tirotonga is very basic. There is no Wi-Fi, although cell phone service is sometimes available through certain network providers. Shared bathrooms and showers at Tirotonga. Night at Tirotonga Village on Santa Isabel.  

Day 17: Using the village as a base, we’ll depart early on well-established trails into the forests and densely vegetated hillsides, targeting a selection of very difficult-to-see endemics. The most famous of these is, without question, Black-faced Pitta, the most easterly and perhaps least well-known pitta on the planet. We’ll likely need to maintain a patient vigil for this brilliantly plumaged and reclusive deep forest dweller. While on “pitta duty” we’ll also keep an eye out for the rarely seen White-eyed Starling, along with the fabulous, but perhaps not quite as adrenaline-worthy, Oriental Hobby and Pacific Koel. 

We’ll be accompanied by local guides, who use their invaluable knowledge and bird-finding skills to lead us to the best sites for our targets, including (potentially) the day-roost sites of two fabulous Solomon endemics, Fearful Owl and Solomons Frogmouth! Hopefully, they will each be "at home"; otherwise, we’ll head out in the evening to listen for calls and do spotlighting in hopes of seeing the birds in flight or actively perched. Night at Tirotonga Village in Santa Isabel.  

Day 18: After another morning birding for key targets in the highlands of Santa Isabel, we will head back down to Buala Township to overnight. Night in Buala Township. 

Day 19: From the airport in Buala we take our flight back to Honiara. Night in Honiara. 

Day 20: After breakfast we head to the international airport for our homeward flights.