In the New Georgia Group, volcanic landscapes and a specific multi-day adventure on Kolombangara represent two distinct travel interests. New Georgia is one of the three large volcanic islands that border Marovo to the south and west. On Kolombangara, a protected area with a stated share of the island’s land area and a two-day trek to the crater rim go hand in hand. One perspective focuses on distinctive birdlife and its protected habitat; the other on the route, time required, and an overnight stay in the rainforest. For your decision, it is therefore helpful to distinguish between an interest in nature and tour planning, and to consider which focus you want to shape your trip.

Kolombangara: Protected Area and Birdlife

On Kolombangara, the protected area covers 28% of the island. According to the area’s information, the Kolombangara white-eye (Zosterops murphyi) and the Kolombangara leaf warbler (Phylloscopus amoenus) live there; according to the same information, neither is found anywhere else in the world. For nature enthusiasts, this combination of a protected area and two explicitly named endemic species is a specific reason to take a closer look at Kolombangara. The figure shows the protected area in relation to the island as a whole. Unlike the trek, this focus is not about a set two-day itinerary, but about the species’ distinct connection to the island and the extent of the protected area.

The Two-Day Trek

The trek on Kolombangara takes two days and leads from the coastal plains over steep terrain to the crater rim; you spend the night in the rainforest. This means you can plan the trek as a separate block of time: the stated duration and the overnight stay go together. This sets the trek apart from the natural history perspective on the protected area and the bird species named there, which is defined by the area’s size and the species’ association with the island. If you make this trek the focus of your trip, allow both days for it. Confirm the guide and access locally.

Choose Accommodation Based on Your Travel Interests

When looking for accommodation, you can give different weight to the two focuses. If you are traveling for the trek, allow for two days and an overnight stay in the rainforest, and confirm the guide and access locally before arranging the rest of your overnight stays. If your focus is the protected landscape, Kolombangara’s protected-area share and two named bird species provide a specific connection with nature.

Getting Your Bearings in the Wider Solomon Islands Destination

In the wider Solomon Islands destination, Honiara International Airport on Guadalcanal is the main arrival point. Solomon Airlines flies to 20 domestic destinations in the Solomon Islands. These are useful reference points for planning travel around the country; check the current destinations and flight schedules for your travel dates. The Solomon Islands’ cultural traditions include traditional music featuring group and solo vocals, as well as ensembles with slit drums and panpipes. You can take these nationwide travel and cultural themes into account when placing the New Georgia Group within a broader itinerary through the Solomon Islands.

Discover more destinations: Munda

Return to the broader travel overview: Western Province.