Last week NatureFiji and Talanoa Treks teamed up to bring together 20 participants from communities on Taveuni, Vanua Levu and Viti Levu to share ideas and learn from one another. All the communities involved benefit from tourism linked to their immediate environment and Fiji’s natural beauty and vibrant culture.

The team – made up of guides, community focal points, and NatureFiji staff – embarked on an 8-day programme visiting and hiking between many of the places visited by Talanoa Treks guests… accompanied by plenty of yaqona! The team visited Nabalesere’s waterfall, climbed Fiji’s highest mountain, Mt Tomaniivi, trekked 11km from Naga to Nubutautau, and 21km from Nubutautau to Navala, and still had time to fit in some birdwatching, visit a Conservation International replanting site, and finished off with a visit to the Sigatoka Sand Dunes, Fiji’s only National Park.

The training gave everyone the opportunity to experience what often only tourists get to experience, and share their experiences of tourism, how they manage tourism income, and how tourism and the conservation of their immediate natural environment are connected.

We’re really grateful to NatureFiji, an Fijian NGO we love to support, and everyone else involved for making this possible.

NatureFiji were also able to spread the word about the Drautabua – a living fossil – with villages and schools along the way receiving a visit from NatureFiji’s intriguing mascot!

NatureFiji’s Drautabua mascot makes a breakfast call in Nubutautau