Imbu Rano Lodge: My Experience on Kolombangara Island

Hidden deep in the Solomon Islands’ Western Province, Kolombangara Island is one of the most striking volcanic islands I’ve explored, with an almost perfect circular shield volcano covered entirely in dense rainforest and ringed by a thin strip of lowland coast. It’s remote, wild, and largely untouched by tourism.

I came here drawn by stories of its pristine montane jungle, the chance to hike into true cloud forest, and the rare opportunity to stay at Imbu Rano Lodge, a research outpost turned eco-retreat perched 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) above sea level on the edge of the protected crater rim. This place isn’t for everyone, but if you’re into raw nature, remote rainforest trekking, and meaningful travel, it’s one of the best off-the-grid experiences in the Pacific.

In this guide, I’ll break down exactly how I got there, what it’s like staying at Imbu Rano, and the best hikes and experiences on Kolombangara so you can plan your own trip with no guesswork.

Overview: What I Learned About Kolombangra Island

• Location: Kolombangara is located in the Western Province of the Solomon Islands located roughly 30–60 minutes by boat from Gizo or Munda, depending on sea conditions and type of boat.
• Access Point: The only entry for visitors is via Ringgi Station, a privately operated area owned by Eagon Pacific Plantation, a Korean-Solomon Islands logging company shifting focus toward regenerative forestry and eco-tourism. Imbu Rano Lodge is part of that initiative. I like to see logging companies exploring sustainable tourism opportunities.
• Why Visit: Kolombangara offers rare access to high-elevation cloud forest, endemic bird species, and challenging jungle hikes through some of the Solomon Islands’ most pristine montane ecosystems. You can:
  • Hike to Mt Veve (1,770 m / 5,807 ft), the island’s highest peak
  • Climb Mt Rano (1,575 m / 5,167 ft), directly above Imbu Rano Lodge
  • Spot rare bird species like the Kolombangara leaf warbler and the Solomon sea eagle
  • Explore lush river trails, crater-edge viewpoints, and peaceful forest clearings, some of which I'll describe below.
• Mobile signal is limited at altitude (none at Imbu Rano)
• Electricity at the lodge is solar-powered, and there’s no Wi-Fi
• Bring all essentials, as there are no shops or supplies once you leave Ringgi Station

How to Get to Kolombangara Island & Imbu Rano Lodge

base run by Eagon Pacific. Boats to Ringgi operate from nearby towns in the Western Province:

• From Gizo: 40–50 minutes by local boat
• From Munda: 50–60 minutes by local boat
• From Noro: 20–30 minutes by local boat

Additional landings like Hambere, Iriri, and Nughusu are accessible too, but these are more suited for village visits or coastal stays. If your goal is to stay at Imbu Rano Lodge, the island’s only mountain lodge, Ringgi is the most practical entry point.

We arranged a boat transfer from Munda to Ringgi through our accommodation at Qua Roviana and Agnes Gateway Hotel. Since this was our first stop in the Solomon Islands, flying into Munda made the most sense and direct flights from Brisbane with Solomon Airlines made it far easier than connecting through Honiara, the Solomon Islands' capital.

The boat trip to Ringgi took just under an hour, cruising past jungle-lined coasts and tiny offshore islets.

From Ringgi Station to Imbu Rano Lodge

Not long ago, reaching Imbu Rano Lodge meant a full-day hike into the mountains. Today, there's a dirt access road managed by the logging company, rough and muddy in parts but passable by LandCruiser, which makes the trip a lot more accessible.

We were met by lodge staff directly at the Ringgi wharf. After loading our bags in the tray of the truck, we began the journey up by climbing over 1,000 meters (3,280 ft) into the volcanic interior. The road winds steeply through dense rainforest and logging trails. It was wet and slick from recent rain, but the ride was one of the highlights with mist in the canopy, waterfalls trickling over roadside cliffs, and flocks of parrots darting through the trees.

Roughly 20 minutes later, we arrived at Imbu Rano Lodge, nestled on the crater rim. Staff showed us to our room overlooking the cloud forest, and while we settled in, they prepared a hot lunch in the shared lodge kitchen. The whole arrival felt like a crazy transition from coral reefs to a rainforest mountain sanctuary.

Review: The Imbu Rano Lodge

I’ve been living out of my bags since 2018 as a full-time adventure travel writer and photographer. From sleeping in 5,000-meter+ base camps in the Himalayas to bunking in straw-roofed beach hostels in the Philippines or bird hides in the jungles of Colombia, I’ve stayed in some wild places. Imbu Rano Lodge was one of my favorites. It strikes a rare balance between feeling remote and still being genuinely comfortable.

There are three double rooms, each basic but functional with a comfortable bed, mosquito net, and an open shelf for bags. But you're not coming here for the room.

The real highlight is outside with the wide, elevated viewing deck that offers clear views of Mt Veve and Mt Rano whilst being perched right at the edge of the forest. I couldn't imagine them finding a better place to build for the view.

The facilities are modest but well thought out. There's a small solar power system with an inverter and standard 240V Australian-style plug for charging gear. Charging is communal and everyone plugs in at the main table in the shared dining area, where meals are also served.

The kitchen is run by the lodge staff, and there’s also a 10-bed dormitory that’s used for larger groups. The bathroom setup is basic with a cold outdoor shower and a regular toilet. There’s a covered fire pit and BBQ area out the back, which was perfect for warming up in the evenings when the mountain mist rolled in.

Don’t expect luxury here. There’s no air-con, no Wi-Fi, and limited phone signal. But you don’t need it. The altitude keeps things cool, the rooms are fully screened from insects, and the quiet is absolute. Just remember to keep the door shut, as we left ours open once and had a curious bat fly in during the night.

Imbu Rano Lodge is simple, wild, and unforgettable, and is everything a mountain base camp should be.

My Experience Exploring Kolombangara Island & What to Expect

There are two main trails directly accessible from Imbu Rano Lodge, and we hiked both during our stay.

1. The Waterfall Trail (Miles Falls)

This trail begins partway down the access road to the lodge, branching off into the jungle toward Miles Waterfall, one of Kolombangara’s most iconic natural features. The full hike is at least 10 km return, and it starts with a steep, slippery descent to the river.

A guide is mandatory here, and I wouldn’t recommend attempting it alone anyway—the track is heavily overgrown. Ours spent a good chunk of the walk clearing vines and hacking through vegetation just to keep us moving forward.

Once at the river, the trail continues upstream, with several river crossings and wet boots guaranteed. Due to worsening weather and heavy afternoon rain, we turned back before reaching the main waterfall, but not before discovering a smaller cascade and a calm pool perfect for a swim.

Despite not reaching Miles Waterfall, it still felt like a proper jungle adventure. Here's a section of my hike on Strava (sorry my watch died halfway).

2. The Crater Ridge Trail

The second trail begins directly behind the lodge, near the outdoor bathrooms. It’s much more established and is the main trekking route used to access Mt Rano and Mt Veve, with camps at regular intervals—Camp 1, Camp 2, Camp 3—leading to the summits.

A painted trail map near the lodge outlines the route in detail.

Due to time and poor weather, we only followed the trail to a nearby viewpoint, roughly 30 minutes in, overlooking a lush valley. Our guide pointed out a cluster of sago palm trees, which is a species not native to this elevation.

These were planted by tribes that once lived in the crater, including during World War II when the Japanese occupied the island. The palms were traditionally used to thatch roofs, and this small detail gave us a glimpse into the human history of Kolombangara.

We turned around at the lookout, satisfied with the walk, though I’d love to return in better weather for the full summit route.

More Things to Do on Kolombangara Island

Beyond hiking, Kolombangara offers other low-key but rewarding experiences for nature lovers:

• Birdwatching: The island is home to several rare and endemic bird species, including the Kolombangara leaf warbler, Solomons white-eye, Kolombangara monarch, and even occasional sightings of the Solomon sea eagle.
• Photography & Nature Walks: The area around the lodge is incredibly photogenic, especially in early morning light or when mist drifts through the canopy.
• Forest & Cultural Interpretation: Guided walks often include stories about traditional uses of plants, past tribal settlements, and WWII history on the island.
• Relaxation & Digital Detox: With no Wi-Fi or phone reception, this is the perfect place to unplug and enjoy the peace of the high jungle.