A Must Do in Fiji – Rivers Fiji

Visitors who arrive in the Fiji Islands with sun, sea, and sand on their mind may not be aware of what some locals call “the real Fiji.” Miles of lush, mountainous rainforest in the island’s interior, where waterfalls plummet down sheer cliffs, swirling mists shroud mountain peaks, and highland villagers still live much like they have for centuries.

A Journey into the Unexplored

Viti Levu’s highlands have remained relatively unexplored, due to limited access into the jungle and lack of tourism infrastructure to support any visitors. But when Nate and Kelly Bicker, co-founders of Rivers Fiji, descended two spectacularly hidden highland rivers in 1996 – the Upper Navua in the Serua province and the Wainikoroiluva in the Namosi Valley – two things became clear to them. First, these rivers were far too unique and beautiful not to be shared with others; second, increasing awareness of these places must be done carefully in order to sustain their most valuable quality – absolute unspoiled beauty.

So began Rivers Fiji, a then small ecotourism-focused company operating low-impact river trips on the ‘Luva River and, later, the Upper Navua Gorge. Rivers Fiji has been operating these trips since 1998.

Overcoming the Canyon’s Gatekeepers

Initiating river trips on the Upper Navua Gorge proved to be a bit more difficult. This breathtaking river canyon is well protected by a stretch of intense whitewater, and building a bridge that would lead guests straight to the gentler waters of the gorge, without the rite of passage through Class IV rapids, took several years. But once completed, Rivers Fiji was now able to operate trips directly on the class III and II sections of the river, providing a river trip that is unique in all the world.

The River Experience

• Accessible Adventure: Rafting trips cover the class III & II sections of the upper Navua, while kayaking focuses on the class II water.
• A Pulse-Quickening Journey: Beyond the pulse-quickening whitewater rides, the trip offers moments of deep serenity amidst spectacular canyon walls, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery.
• For All Ages: Great for all ages and a trip not to be missed.

A Victory for Conservation: The UNCA

When the Upper Navua trips began to run regularly in 2000, they came with another significant victory. Rivers Fiji were able to secure environmental protection of this magnificent canyon by establishing the UNCA (Upper Navua Conservation Area), Fiji’s first government-supported “lease for conservation” area.

The UNCA was created by agreements among Rivers Fiji, landowning tribes along the river, the Native Land Trust Board, and logging companies that had previously been given rights to the land. Rivers Fiji was eventually able to lease a 20-km stretch of land along the river, ensuring that tourism dollars will protect the area for years to come and that the rainforest will be spared from excessive logging. In return for that lease, Rivers Fiji compensates the Native Land Trust Board and landowners through lease payments, user fees, and employment opportunities, leading ultimately to the formal protection of the UNCA.

Why It’s a Must-Do

Today’s visitors to Viti Levu can easily explore the Upper Navua Gorge with Rivers Fiji. In fact, as more people discover these exceptional places, the word is spreading and rafting or kayaking trips are becoming a “must-do” in Fiji.

As Fiji’s interior tourism evolves, certain legacy routes—like the original ‘Luva River treks—have been retired to make way for deeper, more sustainable exploration of the Navua chasm. This shift ensures that every guest experiences the absolute best of Fiji’s waterways as they stand today.

Rivers Fiji is proud to have made previously unexplored areas, worthy of international recognition, accessible to visitors of all ages and backgrounds. Most importantly, these rivers can be visited not only without compromising the highland purity in environment and culture, but with the guarantee that much of this land will be protected for years to come.

For more information including bookings go here: https://riversfiji.com

Partner Disclosure: Buladenarau.com is a curated travel resource. We partner with established, reputable local operators like Rivers Fiji based on their proven commitment to cultural respect, environmental stewardship, and service excellence. We provide these referrals to assist your travel planning, and all bookings are subject to the individual operator’s terms and conditions.