THE UPPER NAVUA RIVER
CONSERVATION AREA
 |
| UPPER NAVUA RIVER GORGE |
When we set our sights
on traveling to the Republic of Fiji, a 300+ island archipelago in the South
Pacific, we thought this far-flung tropical paradise only offered white sand
beaches and blue Pacific waters and coral reefs. We were ready to bask in the
sun as languid breezes dried us after refreshing plunges into tranquil waters
sipping tequila laced Kava drinks and shouting “bula” (Fijian for ‘hello’) to
everyone within earshot!
Fiji offers much more
though. Viti Levu, the largest island of Fiji, is tropical, lush and volcanic
and all that beauty hides yet another beautiful destination. The Navua River has
been described as one of the top ten white water rafting day trips in the
world!
The 10.5-mile gorge is
like a mini-Grand Canyon with the waters cutting through ancient black lava forming
steep walls that are in places 40 meters high and sometimes the river is just 5
meters wide, barely the width of the rafts themselves. The lush tropical
landscape of ferns and tendrils of vines and waterfalls cascading down the
walls at nearly every bend make this a necessary trip for your dynamic traveling
duo to Fiji.
Often referred to as
the River of Eden, when we saw pictures of the Upper Navua River Gorge we knew
we had to book a day’s excursion, even though I don’t really like white water
rafting. Janet loves it. She likes it enough to have booked a two-week
adventure on the Colorado River through the real Grand Canyon. She had booked
her trip through O.A.R.S. and the company is our guide on the Fiji trip as
well.
It is beautiful and it
is gorgeous, but most importantly, all that beauty is protected, and by our
taking a trip down the Navua we are helping preserve this land.
SUSTAINABILITY v EASY
MONEY
It’s alluring for
developing and poor countries to sell their land for the timber, mine for
resources or to dam the river. It’s the quickest way to make money, and often
the money is too great to ignore, but the people of the small villages that
line the Upper Navua did just that and said ‘no’ to development. They feel the
river is a direct connection to their ancestors and the short-term gain will
never make up for the long-term damage.
Two outfitters run
trips down the Navua and both helped broker this unique conversation cooperative,
which prevents mining, logging or even roads within 200 meters of the river. River
Fiji and our outfitter O.A.R.S., helped form the Upper Navau Conservation Area (UNCA)
by leasing the rights from the local villagers or Mataqali.
We went with O.A.R.S.
because of Janet’s connection with them from the Grand Canyon trip, and she was
even able to logon to the website and get us some “frequent flyer” discounts
for this trip.
Perhaps even more appealing
than sailing through the islands off Viti Levu, this day of white water rafting
through Eden will be life-altering epiphanous.
Thanks for reading.
Love to you all, Janet
and greg
© 2022 by Gregory Dunaj
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