Located on the idylic island of Gatokae, the southern most island in the New Georgia group, and overlooking the beautiful Marovo Lagoon, the Wilderness Lodge is an eco-resort featuring individual bungalows of traditional construction, using village-sawn palm wood, palm leaf roof and pandanas mat floor.

Catering for only 12 guests, this resort will never feel crowded, and is an ideal place to relax and be at one with the natural surroundings.

There are 2 Oceanfront Bungalows and the Oceanfront Lodge Bungalow, all of which face directly onto the beach and the lagoon.  The Bungalows offer 2 Double beds, which can be separated by a privacy curtain, if shared by 2 couples, and single sofa bed in the sitting area. They have local hardwood floors, carved wood posts, palm leaf roofs, and wood and glass louvered walls, and sliding glass doors, to bring the outside, and the cooling breezes, inside. The ensuite bathroom features a private, outdoor stone-walled shower, with water heated by your own personal wood fire, a hand-made wooden vanity with giant clam shell basin and complimentary organic toiletries.  There is a small kitchenette with tea and coffee making facilites, personal fans, power supplied by solar panels, a private wooden verandah with sun loungers, right on the beachside, and a hand-made hammock with amazing ocean views.  You can simply step off your deck straight into the turquoise lagoon, and snorkel the beautiful corals just a few metres offshore.

The Lodge Bungalow is of similar construction to the bungalows, with local hardwood and palm leaf roof, but has more solid walls with large shuttered windows opening onto stunning sea views.  It has 2 separate bedrooms, each with 2 double beds and 2 single bunk beds, a large shared shower room with several separate toilets and a giant clam shell basin, a central living room with large table and benches, tea and coffee making facilities, and a large wooden vernadah leading to your own private jetty out into the lagoon.

The Wilderness Lodge is all inclusive, and meals are served in the open air dining room or verandah, and offer local organic produce from the local village gardens, and the freshest seafood caught that day.  Beverages are limited, and little or no alcohol may be be available.

There are no TV's, no internet access and only a satelite telephone for emergency calls, but this is a place to escape the 21st century, and experience Polynesia the same as it was decades ago.

But that is not to say there is nothing to do!  Some of the worlds' best coral reefs are just offshore and are teeming with fish and sea life, and snorkeling, scuba diving and even free diving tours can be booked. Pods of Spinner Dolphins and schools of tuna and trevally are often found in the surrounding seas, and sport fishing and spear fishing trip can be arranged. Also, boat tours can be arranged to some of the smaller islands nearby, walking and hiking trips, tropical rainforest guided tours, photographic, cultural and art demonstration tours, underwater volcano tours, village tours and birdwatching trips, to name just a few, can all be booked by the Resort.

The Wilderness Lodge is an integral part of island life, and as such, respects local customs, such as observing the Sabbath, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday, when no tours, boat trips or transfers are operated.  Although this is unusual to most westerners, it is the Melanesian way, and gives you a day to chill out on the beach, snorkeling the lagoon, or just sitting on your deck with a good book.

The Wilderness Lodge is definitely a 'get away from it all' resort, and the island is almost self sustaining, by growing their own food, using solar power, and catering for the few tourists they have that visit. There is only about 120 villagers on the whole island, and if you want to, you can take some basic supplies with you to donate to the islanders and the children, such as t-shirts, dresses, practical clothing, small treats, basic medical supplies and simple drugs, such as paracetamol.  They are very grateful for anything that you would care to bring, and you can feel good knowing you have helped them!

Click HERE to visit the hotel's own website