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Fiji, officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Fijian: Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti), is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean east of Vanuatu, west of Tonga and south of Tuvalu. The country occupies an archipelago of about 322 islands, of which 106 are permanently inhabited, and 522 islets. The two most important islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, which together account for 87% of the population.

The islands are mountainous, with peaks up to 1,300 metres (4,250 ft), and covered with tropical forests. Viti Levu hosts the capital city of Suva, and is home to nearly three quarters of the population. Other important towns include Nadi (the location of the international airport), and the second city - Lautoka (the location of a large sugar mill and a seaport). The main towns on Vanua Levu are Labasa and Savusavu. Other islands and island groups include Taveuni and Kadavu, the Mamanuca Group (just outside Nadi) and Yasawa Group, which are popular tourist destinations, the Lomaiviti Group, outside of Suva, and the remote Lau Group. Rotuma, some 500 kilometres (310 mi) north of the archipelago, has a special administrative status in Fiji. Fiji's nearest neighbour is Tonga. The climate in Fiji is tropical and warm most of the year round.

Taveuni is the third-largest island in Fiji, after Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, with a total land area of 435 square kilometers. The cigar-shaped island, a massive shield volcano which rises from the floor of the Pacific Ocean, is situated 6.5 kilometers to the east of Vanua Levu, across the Somosomo Strait, and is part of the Northern Division. It had a population of around 9,000. Taveuni has abundant flora and is known as the 'Garden Island of Fiji'. It is a popular tourist destination and has world class birding opportunities. Access to the mountainous area of Des Voeux Peak which is the second highest on the island, a prime birding habitat, is literally just minutes from the main town Waiyevo area. The best way is to take a 4-wheel drive vehicle nearly to the top of the 1195 meter peak, and then walk up from the locked gate. Likewise, Qeleni, on the northern end of the island also affords excellent bird watching. To get to Qeleni you have to take a 4-wheel drive about 5km up a rugged mountain road. Both locales offer the chance to see Orange Breasted Doves, Silktails, Ferntails and the Taveuni Musk Parrots.

Kadavu with an area of 411 square kilometers, is the fourth largest island in Fiji, and the largest island in the Kadavu Group, a volcanic archipelago consisting of Kadavu, Ono, Galoa and a number of smaller islands in the Great Astrolabe Reef. It is a tropical bird watcher's dream come true! No 3 day hike or drive into a jungle to catch a glimpse of a bird, most of the native life flyaround the island and the resorts all day and night! Kadavu has the additional attraction of the 4 endemic species found only on Kadavu and these species, like the Kadavu musk parrot, can all be seen on the grounds of most resorts.

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Matava Resort Birdwatching

Matava is the genuine eco-adventure resort, beautifully set off the beaten track, minutes from the Great Astrolabe Reef on Kadavu Island. Our intimate resort has beautiful, comfortable bures, outstanding cuisine and offers a full range of activities. Matava is designed to blend with its natural environment. See species found nowhere else in the world, such as the fabulous Golden & Orange Doves, three species of Shining-Parrots and the widespread Collared Lory plus several species only shared with a few neighbouring island groups such as Tonga and the Cook Islands. Many birds can be seen within the resort grounds!