Namosi Highlands

The Namosi highlands rise behind Navua in the interior of Viti Levu, a country of steep forested ridges, gorges and villages that are still reached most easily by boat up the Navua river. It is the wettest part of the island and among the least developed, with strong customary landownership and a long-running argument over proposed mining. Village stays, river trips and walking to waterfalls are what visitors do, all of it arranged through the villages.

What you actually see

• The river journey - long boats up the Navua through gorges to the villages.
• The forest ridges - steep rainforest country, among the wildest in Fiji.
• The village stays - overnight arrangements in Namosi villages, with sevusevu.
• The waterfalls - falls on the side creeks reached on foot from the river.

When to go

May to October is the drier season, though this is the wettest region in Fiji and rain falls in every month. River levels rise fast after rain and trips are cancelled on them. Cyclone season runs November to April.

Honest expectations

Everything here runs through the villages and the correct protocol matters: sevusevu, modest dress, and asking before photographing. Independent walking is not appropriate on customary land. Facilities are village-level and the walking is steep and wet.

Nearby

Navua is at the river mouth, and the Upper Navua gorge is upstream.