Fiji

NOTE: This tour can be combined back-to-back with Cook Islands & Samoa in 2028. For recent trip reports covering Fiji, see the webpage for our combined Fiji & New Caledonia tour (which uses an identical itinerary for the Fiji leg). 

Day 1: Arrivals into Nadi International Airport (NAN) for overnight at a nearby hotel.

Day 2: Flying onwards to Taveuni, views from the plane should be spectacular: turquoise waters, coral reefs and green rainforests. Once we arrive on this paradisical island we will drive to our lovely accommodation, right by the beach, where we will stay for three nights. The lodge is surrounded by tropical native gardens, volcanic hills and splendid reefs with multitudes of colourful tropical fish. Topped with great food and lovely hosts, our time here will surely be unforgettable. Night on Taveuni.

Days 3-4-5: Most of the birding on the island will take place on the slopes of Des Veoux Peak, at 1320m, the second-highest point on Taveuni. Here, our targets will be the incomparable Orange Fruit Dove, Maroon Shining Parrot, Azure-crested Flycatcher and the bizarre but delightful Taveuni Silktail. Other Fijian endemics we can see here include Yellow-billed Honeyeater and Northern Wattled Honeyeater, with more chances for Tongan Ground Dove. Taveuni is surrounded by fantastic coral reefs, and we will have enough free time to enjoy some truly world-class snorkelling, some of the best being right outside our hotel!

One one day, we will take a boat over to Vanua Levu. Here we will search for the rarely-observed Natewa Silktail, before heading back to Taveuni after lunch. This crossing has the potential to turn up Tahiti Petrel if we are lucky, while Lesser Frigatebird, Brown Booby, and Red-footed Booby are more common. All nights on Taveuni.

Day 6: After some final birding on Taveuni we will fly to Suva (most likely via Nadi) for a three-night stay. 

Day 7-8: Suva is our base from which to explore the island of Viti Levu, accessing several sites in montane forests of the central massif. A number of Fiji’s most-wanted birds are present here, including Golden Fruit Dove, Black-throated Shrikebill and Giant Honeyeater. We will also spend time searching for other Fiji endemics such as Fiji Goshawk, Fiji Woodswallow, Barking Imperial Pigeon, Collared Lory, Masked Shining Parrot, Sulphur-breasted Myzomela, Western Wattled Honeyeater (AKA: Kikau), Slaty Monarch, Chestnut-throated Flycatcher, Yellow-throated Fiji Whistler, Fiji Bush Warbler, Fiji White-eye, and Fiji Parrotfinch.

The rare Long-legged Thicketbird was rediscovered in the early 2000s, and we also have a good chance of seeing this mega skulker. The very scarce Pink-billed Parrotfinch requires lots more luck, but we will definitely try to cover ground in order to increase our chances at seeing this Endangered species. Other widespread birds we are likely to see include Many-coloured Fruit Dove, Pacific Robin, Fiji Shrikebill, Vanikoro Flycatcher, Polynesian Triller and Polynesian Starling. There is also the vocally-distinc Fijian form of Fan-tailed Cuckoo to see. Nights in Suva.

Day 9: Today we will take a flight to Kadavu (most likely via Nadi) for a two-night stay. Once we have checked into our comfortable resort, we will start our exploration of the island. Night on Kadavu.

Day 10: Our time on Kadavu will see us focus on searching for four endemics: Whistling Fruit Dove, Crimson Shining Parrot, Kadavu Fantail and Kadavu Honeyeater. We will also see the newly-split White-throated Fiji Whistler which is otherwise only found on remote islets to the south-east. All of these are fairly easy to see around the resort gardens, so there will be time for our first session of truly exceptional snorkelling. We have an excellent chance of swimming with Giant Manta at a nearby cleaning station which they frequent. Night on Kadavu.

Day 11: After some final birding on Kadavu we will fly back to Nadi International Airport (NAN) where the tour ends after lunch.