FORMERLY SILKTAIL LODGE
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INFORMATION SHEET
DEVO PLANTATION RETREAT is situated at Devo on Devo Estate, one of the original European owned plantations of the area.
Hosts - Bill Kesteven and his family.
Address - DEVO PLANTATION RETREAT, P O Box 560, Savusavu, Vanua Levu, Fiji
Telephone - Bill Kesteven - 9944629 (School hours only - otherwise may be out of reach)
Contacts - Should the above not get through other contacts are - pettine@connect.com.fj and leave a message for Bill Kesteven.
Recommendation - Devo Plantation Retreat is recommended for those with an interest in natural history and Fijian rural life.
LOCATION-
The retreat is located 200 metres inland from the Hibiscus Highway and set in a plantation near the homestead. Coconuts are farmed on the estate plus a few head of cattle.
Devo Beach is about 250 metres from the retreat. This is good for walking, swimming and snorkelling.
The coconut plantation has a variety of plants, many of them introduced. A good variety of birds live in this environment while behind the Lodge are native forests which are tracked for bird watching. Overall this is a very tranquil and restful setting with a delightful dawn chorus of bird song.
HOW TO GET TO DEVO PLANTATION RETREAT - There are two main internal Fiji airlines, Air Fiji and Sunflower Air. Both have 2 flights daily each way, one morning and one afternoon. Check current departure times with your travel agent. It is preferable to pre-book but tickets can be bought at the airline office at Nadi airport. It takes approximately 50 minutes from Nadi to Savusavu..
Cost is F$410 return.
It is possible to fly to Savusavu from many places in Fiji.
TRANSPORT FROM SAVUSAVU TO THE RETREAT - Options
By Bill Kesteven's truck. Bill is in Savusavu three times a week. If he knows you are arriving he can meet you at the airport. The charge for the trip to Devo is then $5. Should he make a special trip to Savusavu for you on days when he is not in Savusavu the charge is $100.
By taxi from the airport at Savusavu. This costs approximately F$100, including a shopping trip into Savusavu. The taxi will arrange to pick you up when you leave the retreat as well. Bill can prearrange a taxi for you.
By bus from Savusavu. The timetable is as follows -
Departs 10.30 am and 2 pm (approximate)
By bus from Devo.
Departs 7 am, and 2.00 pm (all approximate).
Cost to Devo is $5 and the ride takes about 3+ hours. Note wet weather can affect the bus timetable.
By rental car from Savusavu. Budget and Avis Rentals operate from Savusavu but bookings have to made in advance. Ask Bill Kesteven, or when in Savusavu ask at the travel agent in the "Copra Shed".
HOW TO FIND SILKTAIL LODGE - From Savusavu travel to Buca Bay. Travelling by car this can take up to 2 hours in wet weather. From Buca Bay the road follows the coast for most of the way and will take up to 25 minutes to get to Devo.
You know you are nearing Devo after you drive through a coconut plantation. Travel a further 5 kms and then over two bridges. Soon after crossing the second bridge you should a drive going in on the left. Drive in to the LODGE.
Should you arrive by bus you will have a 200 metre walk. However, if your hosts know you are arriving on the bus they will be there to meet you and help with luggage.
RATES FOR BURE OR LODGE ROOM HIRE - Enquiries for rates to Bill Kesteven.
BOOKINGS - These should be done through Bill Kesteven and paid in F$. Pay at the lodge. (Note - there are no credit card facilities.)
GUIDING, Laundry and Bure cleaning is available.
WEATHER CONDITIONS - Temperatures range between 20° and 30° C (68-85F). The ‘wet’ season runs from December to April which is also the cyclone season. Cyclones are rare in this area however. The more pleasant, cooler months are normally June - October. Because this is the wet side of the island it is advisable to be prepared for rain at any time of the year. This is the reason for the beautiful rainforests!
SHOPS - There are no local shops. All shopping is done at Savusavu.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Devo Plantation Retreat is owned both by a group of New Zealand supporters and the Kesteven family. Its specific aim is provide a birding and holiday spot in Fiji.
All people using the lodge do so at their own risk. The owners of Devo Plantation Retreat are in no way liable for any accident or misadventure that might arise to anyone while on the property or in its vicinity. Please organise travel insurance to cover any such contingencies prior to travel.
Other Contact-
Stuart and Alison Chambers
21 Puriri Ave, Orewa, New Zealand
Phone 09 427 5336, Fax 09 427 5669
email as_chambers@xtra.co.nz
Other sites of possible interest:
Rob Kay's Fiji Islands Travel Guide
Where do you want to go Birding Today?
Birds of New Zealand - Locality Guide
Fiji Islands Travel and Accommodation Guide
Handbook of Birds of the World
Details on this web site are valid as at July 2004