The first thing many travellers do when they touchdown in Fiji is leave. Leave the mainland, Viti Levu, at least, sailing off to popular resort destinations including the Mamanuca and Yasawa islands.

But what lays in the other direction, in the interior?

To an extent, this is a road less travelled, especially by international guests who look for the sun-kissed beaches. But one great answer is the Sigatoka River Safari, which has been recognised five times as Oceania’s Leading Adventure Tour Operator by voters at the World Travel Awards.

The experience offers the inquisitive a chance to explore something close to traditional Fijian life, with a side-helping of adrenaline-pumping adventure. What’s not to love?

During my visit were picked up at dawn and driven to Sigatoka, one of the larger towns on the south coast of Viti Levu and a commercial hub for the wider Coral Coast region. Guests are mainly Australian or New Zealanders, but a few hardy Americans and Brits complete the line-up as we make the 17-kilometre journey through the green hills of the Sigatoka valley en route to the safari basecamp.

The area is known as the ‘salad bowl’ of Fiji, with fertile soil being washed down from the mountains during the rainy season to create a perfect environment for agriculture. Much of the produce grown here is sold across the country and likely ends up on the plates of diners in the hotels which dot the coast.

Arrival at the marina is attractive enough in its own right and as we disembark we are greeted with rolling green hills in every direction while the river twinkles below us. Water levels rise and fall dramatically depending on the season and were at their lowest for my visit in September. The safari, however, takes place throughout the year in all but the most extreme of weather conditions.

We hop into three boats and begin the journey upriver. Now, I have been lucky enough to take part in a few safaris over the years, and the activity conjures up images of leisurely game drives through sprawling landscapes, stopping to snap a picture of wildlife every so often, before sedately wending our way onwards.

This safari is not like that.

The specially designed jetboats accelerate at some speed, barely touching the water below as they chicane up the awe-inspiring river. With the water levels low, many obstacles appear, including looming tree trunks, gravel banks and grazing animals. Luckily the skilled pilots effortlessly navigate onward without too much cause for concern, all while cracking jokes and allaying the fears of some of the younger visitors.

The Sigatoka is the longest river on the island of Viti Levu, running from the hills of the Navosa province right down to the sand dunes in Kulukulu on the Coral Coast. The river provides Fijians with freshwater mussels (kai), fish, prawns and eels, as well as water for agriculture and drinking.

The river was the only means of transport from the coast to the interior until the late 1950s, with the travel time from Navosa three days down and even longer back. During the safari, guides explain some of this history, offering insight into the local culture, while children from the many villages that line the river wave ‘bula’ as we speed past.

The ultimate destination of the safari is one of the villages which dot the riverbank. In total, 15 are part of safari program, with groups visiting different ones on a rotating schedule. The thinking is to mitigate the impact of the visits on the lifestyle of the villages, allowing the traditional ways to continue while giving travellers a small taste of island life.

In this way, the Sigatoka River Safari has assisted in the development of these rural communities directly and indirectly, with the vanua (people) of Navosa seeing much needed tourism development.

Of course, the process is not perfect – you are never going to experience truly authentic village life in a few hours – but Sigatoka River Safari do a good job of letting visitors experience a day in the life of the real ‘kaiviti’ (Fijian) without it feeling exploitative. Indeed, the company certainly works to give back, funding school scholarships, clothing, footpaths, church constructions, kindergartens and school supplies.

On arrival we were given a warm welcome by the villagers before being invited into the bure (house) of the village chief for a kava ceremony. Kava (a Pacific islands crop) plays an important role in Fijian life, with the root ground down and mixed with water to create a mild sedative used during various ceremonies. The drink is said to create a calm, easy-going, social vibe that leaves you feeling lighter with every bowl you drink.

Following the mixing of the ingredients, guests are invited to share bowls of the muddy brown liquid. I have to say, it does not taste as bad as it looks - and it was well-received by the group I was visiting with. Today, Fiji is also beginning to export kava - but it has a way to go before it rivals melatonin or kratom in the meditative experience space internationally.

As lunch is prepared, we were invited on a tour of the village, before sitting down to a meal of fresh tropical fruit, fish, chicken and a range of local delicacies. This is followed by songs – Fijians love to sing – and dancing, before it is time to board the jet boat for the return trip.

Lasting around seven hours door-to-door, this Sigatoka River Safari is a great way to explore something close to Fijian life. Local communities value the visits and guests are invited to make dominations, share gifts or contribute in whatever way they see fit. There is much to recommend this mutually beneficial experience.

More Information

Located in the heart of the South Pacific, Fiji is home to 333 of the happiest islands in the world. From its crystal-clear azure waters for breathtaking diving experiences to miles of pristine beaches for casting away your cares, Fiji has something for any traveller searching for an ultimate vacation experience.

Fiji was recognised with the titles of Oceania’s Leading Adventure Tourism Destination and Oceania’s Leading Tourist Board at the World Travel Awards earlier this year.

Find out more on the official website.

Words: Chris O’Toole / Images: Sigatoka River Safari