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.

Looking to book? [Check availability here] — or read on for the full story behind this Fiji must-do.

How many rivers does Fiji have? Fiji’s largest island, Viti Levu, has four major river systems — the Rewa, Navua, Sigatoka, and Ba — all rising from the island’s central highlands near Mount Tomanivi, Fiji’s highest peak. The Upper Navua Gorge, source of the Rivers Fiji adventure, is fed by these same highland waters.

Journey into the perfectly preserved.

Historically, the interior of Viti Levu was the rugged backbone of Fijian society. For thousands of years, these river corridors were the “highways” of the island, transporting crops like dalo, yams, yaqona, and plantains (vudi) from the mountains to the coast. After Europeans introduced pigs, pork was added to the trade network; in return, region-specific items like masima (salt) were carried back in an intricate system of trade and barter.

This remote terrain acted as a natural stronghold, preserving customs and traditions untouched by the outside world for generations. Produce was sent down on bamboo rafts called bilibili, while exchanged goods were carried back by men walking the mountain paths. These Hill men, or Kai Colo, lived in unassailable mountain-top forts and were a breed apart.

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 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.

A Quick reality check: This is a very highly sought-after experience – if you are actively considering a trip, perhaps check the current availability and bookings page to ensure that you do not miss out. You can always come back here to read more. In any event, I have put another link at the bottom of the page so you do not have to scroll back up to this one.

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.

Today, Rivers Fiji offers an accessible adventure. Be it rafting trips covering the class III & II sections of the Upper Navua, or kayaking on the class II water.

Beyond the pulse-quickening whitewater rides, the trip offers moments of deep serenity and communion with nature, amidst spectacular canyon walls, cut deeply over eons, cascading waterfalls, and breathtaking scenery.

For All Ages 8+: A trip not to be missed. Rivers Fiji has been doing this for more than a quarter of a century. They are highly professional and safe, but with the charm, warmth, and exuberance all Fijians exude.

When the Upper Navua trips began to run regularly in 2000, they came with another significant victory. Rivers Fiji was 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. Few experiences in Fiji combine genuine adventure with untouched natural beauty quite like the Upper Navua Gorge. With more than a quarter of a century of operations, Rivers Fiji has converted its fair share of apostles, and the spreading of the word has resulted in Rivers Fiji firmly becoming one of Fiji’s truly iconic “must-do” experiences — accessible to ordinary travelers, yet still wild enough to feel like genuine discovery. We think it’s time for a new term: not eco-tourism, but eco-adventure-tourism. Once again, Rivers Fiji breaks new ground!

The practicalities: Undertaking a Rivers Fiji adventure is easy. As you would expect from a highly professional operator of Rivers Fiji’s standing, transfers are smooth and reliable. Have no fear on that front. That leaves you and what you need to bring:

1. A Change of clothes for your return trip.
2. Shoes or sandals that can get wet and are comfortable to hike in – reef shoes are good and also work for all your activities during your stay.
3. Clothes suitable for getting wet (nylon shorts, t-shirt, swimwear).
4. Sunscreen.
5. Sun hat.
6. Lip Balm.
7. A Towel (grab one from your room – just remember to take it back!)
8. A Water bottle – it is a very good idea to pack an insulated flask to bring with you on your trip. If you forget, you can pick one up on your supermarket stop on your way to your resort after your arrival.
9. A waterproof camera. If that is not possible, do not fret – Rivers Fiji makes photos available for a small fee at the end of the day via file share. Talk to them before you set out about that.
10. Any necessary medications.
11. A Warm jacket to wear down the river during cold weather. Yes, it can get cold up in them there hills. The cold season is June through September..

Rivers Fiji provides complimentary dry bags, so your gear stays protected throughout the trip.

Ok, you are all set. For more information, including availability and bookings, you can check here.

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 the environment and culture, but with the guarantee that much of this land will be protected for years to come.

To view all the photos in a curated gallery view, simply tap on any one of them. It will pop up, and you can cycle through all of them.

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.