Legalau Nature Lodge (Savo Island)
Nature lodges and other ecotourism accommodation in Solomon Islands
Using the village HF radio network, Solomons Village Stay is able to place bookings with a range of other village-based ecotourism facilities which are not listed with overseas travel agents. The lodges and guest houses listed here are all located in or near villages and are operated by local people as family businesses or community development ventures.
Some of the facilities listed here offer a similar standard of accommodation to village stays (ie separate sleeping bungalow, outdoor shower, village-style meals) while others are slightly more upscale. The major difference between village stays and other ecotourism accommodation in the Solomons is in the level of contact with the village. Village stay bungalows are typically located next to the hosts' family home in the village proper and guests become part of the family during their stay. This provides for a "warts-and-all" village experience (including roosters crowing under your bungalow at the crack of dawn!). Lodges and guest houses tend to be situated outside the village, offering more privacy but less intimate interaction with the local culture. Guests are treated a little more like tourists and visits to the village are arranged in advance which means you may only see what they choose to show you rather than observing the day to day goings-on in the village.
MARAVAGI ISLAND HIDEAWAY - Florida (Gela) Islands
Maravagi is a small village-style "resort" (family business) on little Mangalonga Island in the Sandfly group of islands at the western end of the Floridas. Accommodation is in two local-style bungalows by the beach (total capacity 12 guests). Island-style meals featuring fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables are served in a separate dining hut. Activities include fishing, swimming, snorkelling, bushwalks, beachcombing, cultural entertainment and visiting tabu sites. Nominal extra charges apply for some of these activities. Motor canoe transport is available for hire for fishing and sightseeing trips. Maravagi is a true hideaway retreat with stunning seaside scenery, warm hospitality and excellent cooking.
Rates: AUD$77/USD$48 per person per night including all meals. Transfers by motor canoe from Honiara jetty (2 hours) AUD$53/USD$33 return per person (minimum 2 people).
MA'ASUPA BEACH HUT - East Are'Are District, South Malaita
Ma'asupa is a large village in a very isolated area of South Malaita where there is very little infrastructure and certainly no tourism facilities: you will be the only foreign visitor within a fifty mile radius. Ma'asupa Beach Hut is a self-contained village-style chalet built in 1998 by an EEC engineer working on a local project, and is now operated by the Ma'asupa community. There are two bedrooms, living room, indoor toilet/shower, gas burner, solar powered lights, and all basic furnishings including bed linen. The hut sleeps four comfortably and six at a squeeze. Activities include snorkelling nearby reefs, bushwalking, freshwater swimming under waterfalls, dugout canoeing, exploring mangrove waterways by canoe, and fishing, fishing and more fishing in Taka Taka Bay. Motor canoes can be hired for fishing or exploring trips.
Rates: AUD$26/USD$16 per person per night for self-catering (bring some food items from Honiara, buy local fish and vegetables at the village and do your own cooking - a basic range of some tinned foods is also available in the village store) or AUD$52/USD$32 pp full board with island-style meals prepared for you by a local cook. Return transfers AUD$72/USD$45 per person (minimum 2 people), involving a 2 hour motor canoe trip from Parasi airfield on the western side of the island, through the magnificent Maramasike Passage (a calm mangrove-lined waterway) to Taka Taka Bay (Ma'asupa) on the eastern side (all those who have been say that the transfer itself is the highlight of the trip). [Return airfare from Honiara to Parasi is approximately AUD$110/USD$70 and flights are on Mondays and Thursdays].
VANUA RAPITA ECO-RESORT - Marovo Lagoon, Western Province
Located on a tiny island in the lagoon, this eco-resort was set up with the assistance of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and is operated by the Michi Village community. Accommodation is in several local-style bungalows built out over the water. Each bungalow has several guest rooms, with either single, double or twin beds. There is an informal bar/restaurant (pictured above) where island-style meals are served. Members of the village community take shifts to do the cooking, cleaning and bartending. Many cultural and environmental activities are available here, including well-organised bush medicine tours and river safaris. Fishing, swimming, snorkelling and beachcombing are all available on the island itself. Nominal extra charges apply for off-island activities. Motor canoe transport is available for hire for fishing and sightseeing trips.
Vanua Rapita is the Solomons' first true eco-tourism hideaway, operating since 1995.
Rates: AUD$46/USD$29 per person per night including all meals. Transfers by motor canoe from Seghe airfield (30 min) AUD$24/USD$15 return per person (no minimum).
Friends! We are currently working on this new page for our site - about 15-20 more properties are yet to be added - with photos! In the meantime, please e-mail us info@solomonsvillagestay.8k.com with any requests for information on:
Legalau Nature Lodge (Savo Island)
Kiakoe Lakeside Lodge (Lake Tenggano, East Rennell)
Aotaha Caves (Bellona Island)
Matikuri Island (Marovo Lagoon)
Tetele Village Lodge (South Malaita)
Lagoon Lodge (Marovo Lagoon)
Kajoro Sunset Lodge (Marovo Lagoon)
Mavo Rest House (North New Georgia)
BOOKING NOTES
1 Intending guests are advised that these properties offer very basic or "rustic" accommodation which is generally clean and comfortable but not luxurious. The properties generally feature local-style bungalows which are built with local and/or imported materials and provided with basic furniture, bedding, mosquito nets, soap and towel.
2 Most properties do not have electricity. They use kerosine pressure lamps for lighting and gas stoves and fridges in the kitchen.
3 Water in village lodges is usually from rain catchment or underground springs and is generally safe to drink. Private overhead showers are provided but no hot water.
Toilets are generally of the sit-down flush type. Facilities are usually shared, but most of these properties only have small numbers of guests at a time.
4 "Village-style" meals are cooked by villagers over an open fire or under hot stones, using fresh local produce and little or no processed or imported ingredients.
"Island-style" meals are prepared over a gas stove, also using local produce but supplemented by imported or canned food. There are no bar facilities but BYO is generally acceptable for private consumption within the lodge area.
5 Activities such as village tours, bushwalking and learning crafts are generally charged for at lodges and guest houses, but not at village stays. Visits to cultural sites or areas owned by private landowners always involve payment of access fees. Activities which involve motorised canoe transport always involve extra charge for canoe hire and fuel - ask first.
6 Intending guests are advised that these properties are located in or near traditional village areas, and certain norms or expectations must be observed. In particular the wearing of brief clothing or swimwear in village areas is not permitted. Some activities may not be available on Saturdays or Sundays according to village religious observance.
7 Transfers to the above destinations are provided by the village people and usually involve travel in motorised canoes which may not be carrying safety equipment.
8 There is a minimum booking of 2 nights for each of the properties listed here. Bookings must be finalised and prepaid 30 days before travel.
9 Accommodation rates and transfer charges are correct at time of advertising but are subject to change without notice.
10 Cancellation policy for listed properties (except homestay): Less than 30 days prior to arrival - 25% penalty. Less than 14 days of arrival - 50% penalty. After arrival - no refund. Retail travel agents may levy additional cancellation charges.
11 Neither Solomons Village Stay nor our agents take any responsibility for quality or comfort of properties listed. Responsibility for provision of advertised facilities, services and activities lies solely with village accommodation operators. Nevertheless we appreciate guest feedback to help us encourage operators to maintain advertised standards.
12 Neither Solomons Village Stay nor our agents accept any liability for loss, misadventure, injury or death, whether accidental or intentional, which may occur during the course of travel to or a period of stay at any of these listed properties. Guests are strongly advised to take out travel insurance.