Meet the communities

Talanoa Treks is proud to work with all of our partners and friends in various communities across Fiji. We work most closely with the villages of Nabalesere, Navai, Naga, and Nubutautau. But, we also work with Navala, Wailotua, Abaca and others from time to time. Our relationship with communities is one of the driving forces behind Talanoa Treks. We hope to work with more communities across Fiji in the future.

We’re working to build and update this information to show some of the people you will meet along the way and who make our treks possible!

Naga village

The village of Naga is hard to find on the maps because although everyone there uses this name, the map-makers decided to call it Vanualevu. The village lies at the end of the road a little to the west of the lake created by the Monasavu dam, and near the centre of Viti Levu, Fiji’s main island. Although unfortunately not visible from the road or the village, the dam was an impressive feat. Costing USD 234m and completed in 1983, water is diverted from the dam through over 5km of tunnels to the 80MW power station, which in 1992 was producing 92% of Viti Levu’s power, down to 49% in 2006 due to growing demand. Naga sits in the hills above the Sigatoka river and on the border between the dry and the wet side of the island. There are wonderful views from the village community hall looking westwards. Naga is the starting point for the walk down to Nubutautau on the Cross-Highland Hike, and always ensures visitors set off with a very full stomach!

Naga-Mili
Mili
Naga-Joeli
Joeli
Naga-Mr-Levi
Levi
Naga-Emma
Emma
Naga-Etika
Etika
Naga-Saimone-400-Credit-K.Miller
Saimone
Naga-Waicevata-400-Credit_-Simone-Ruggiero
Waicevata

Nubutautau village

The history books paint a very different picture of Nubutautau to the one you’ll experience today, telling of paths lined with long, sharp thorns and skulls. Nubutautau is the chiefly village of the Navatusila area. It was the last village to be taken by the combined forces of the Bauan chief and self-proclaimed king of Fiji, Ratu Cakobau, and the European settlers during a campaign in the 1870s to quell the highland people. The village is also well known in Fiji for being where the unfortunate missionary Reverend Baker and his colleagues were killed and later eaten in 1867. A memorial marks the site of the killing and elders in the village are happy to tell to tell the story. The village today, a mix of traditionally built bures and corrugated iron houses, is wonderfully welcoming. We spend an enjoyable night in the village on the Cross-Highland Hike, and the community always enjoys having people stay for longer.

Nubutautau-Saki
Saki
Mr Roko from Nubutautau
Mr Roko
Nubutautau-Rokovesa
Rokovesa
Nubutautau-Selita
Selita Mata Tuivuna
Nubutautau-Elina
Elina Buiaseura
Nubutautau-Sulu
Sulueti Senitirau
Nubutautau-Adi-Kaveni
Adi Kaveni
Nubutautau-Adi-Bera
Adi Bera

Nabalesere village

Sitting on the eastern side of the Greater Tomanivi forest reserve in the province of Ra, Nabalesere is a picturesque village right at the end of a 25km dirt road. Nabalesere is the gateway to the beautiful Savulelele waterfall and the village is proud to show you this place of amazing natural beauty tucked away in their own backyard. Being in Ra, the ubiquitous ‘Bula!’ is replaced by ‘Yadra!’, which elsewhere means morning, but here is used all day long as a greeting! The area immediately surrounding the waterfall pools is not only rich in Fijian flora, but is also home to the Fiji Tree Frog or ula, as well as fresh water prawns and fish. The Fiji peregrine falcon or ganivatu seen on the two-dollar coin is reported to still nest in the cliff face. Nabalesere is the furthest destination on our day-trip from Suva, and can be visited as part of longer itineraries. It’s also the starting point for the forest portion of our longer hikes, with a rough 19km old village track following streams and ridgelines through the forest to the western side of Mt Tomanivi. As with all the communities we partner with, farming is the main income earner and visitors to the waterfall are an important source of additional income contribute to the community’s own development goals.

Nabalesere-Paula
Paula
Nabalesere-Seru
Seru
Nabalesere-Marisela-Vua
Marisela Vua
Nabalesere-Meri-Ranadi
Ranadi Meri
Nabalesere-Varaone
Varaone Nakewa
Nabalesere-Peni
Peni
Nabalesere-Savirio
Savirio
Nabalesere-Ameniasi
Aminiasi
Nabalesere-Milika
Milika

Navai village

Rising up behind the village of Navai is Fiji’s highest mountain, Mt Tomanivi at 1,323m, and the path to the top starts in this village. The elevation in Navai is approximately 700m, and the climate is cooler as a result, with tomatoes and other crops able to grow all year round and so supply the markets down in the towns during the off-season. There is plenty of good forest all around Navai, and this area along with that around Nadarivatu is good for bird-watching, with lots of the forest endemics present including the pink-billed parrotfinch and the long-legged warbler. These can be hard to find, but you won’t miss the distinctive calls of the Giant forest honeyeater, the Barking pigeon, or the Masked shining parrot echoing through the trees. Navai is visited on any trip to climb Mt Tomanivi and is the home to most of our guides for this trip. We also often pass through on our drive down to the village of Naga as part of the Cross-Highland Hike.

Navai-Meli
Meli Naiqama

Bulou's Lodge

Near Navala village

Bulou’s Lodge sits just outside the village of Navala on the banks of the Ba river. Run by Bulou and her son Tui, it’s a great spot to relax at the end of the Cross-Highland Hike. The accommodation is also basic. There are cold showers and flush toilets. Sleeping is in a large dorm although there are two private bures available. The lodge is perfectly placed for visiting the poster-boy village of Navala with it’s rows of immaculate traditional bures, which you can often see being built or repaired during the dry season.

Mili

I came from Kadavu. I am married to a man from Naga. I’ve got 3 children – I enjoy cooking – my favourite food is fish and dalo – I am the treasurer of the Naga Tourism Committee and it’s a big headache!!

Joeli

I married with six kids. My eldest daughter is married. My favourite food is fish with lolo and dalo. I do farming to support my family. My next daughter is not schooling helping her mum at home. The other two are in school. My next daughter in class 7 at current school and my son in class six at Nadrau Primary School. I really like being with Talanoa Trek. I am the secretary of the committee with Talanoa Trek. If you want go hiking you can come with us.

Levi

I am a former local boxer in the 1980s-87 Jnr Light Middle of the South Pacific. I am married to a lady from Kadavu and I have 3 children – two boys and one girl. I am a farmer and hope that my children study hard in order to find good jobs so they can look after their family. I am part of the Naga Tourism Committee.

I enjoy working with TT and benefits that provides to the community. TT helps us in different ways of our community life

Emma

Etika

Saimone

Waicevata

Saki

Certificates and Training

Basic First Aid Course;
0%
Guide Training;
0%
Financial & Business Management;
0%
Community Conservation
0%

Mr Roko

Don't be afraid of moving slowly; be afraid of standing still

Interests

Reading Meeting people Listening to music

Certificates and Training

Basic First Aid;
0%
Guide Training Course;
0%
Financial and Business Management course
0%

Rokovesa

Hi! My name is Rokovesa just call me Roko. Just fortunate to hit the mid century age wise. Have two daughters and a son was surprised to be a grandfather so early.

Its been exciting to be involved with Talanoa Treks meeting peoples from around the globe who enjoys hiking and visit the heart of Fiji where Nabutautau is experience its unique culture and wonderful views.

Love to meet you next time

Vinaka…

Interests

fishing meeting people farming

Certificates and Training

Basic First Aid
0%
Guide Training Course;
0%
Community Health Workers course
0%

Selita Mata Tuivuna

I’m from Nanoko and I’m married to a man in the village of Nabutautau. My husband’s name is Setariki Tuivuna. I had two children the eldest one is schooling in Ba. She’s in year 9 and she is 14 years old. The second one is still in Primary School. She’s in class 4 at Navatusila District School. She’s 9 yrs old. I’m doing domestic duties and my husband is a farmer. I also works as a Village Health Worker of Nabutautau. My favourite game is volley-ball and net-ball and my favourite dish is fish with lolo and dalo. Thank you!!!

Interests

playing volleyball weaving mats helping people

Certificates and Training

Basic First Aid
0%

Elina Buiaseura

My name is Elina, I’m from Korolevu. I’m  married to VILIAME Katololo in Nabutautau. I have two sons. Sailosi is the eldest and he is  deaf . He attends the Gospel School for the Deaf in Suva. He is in class 6 and my second son’s name is Mosese. He is in class 3 and attends Navatusila District school in Nanoko which is about 10 km from Nabutautau. I do domestic duties and my husband is a farmer. Looking ahead to meeting you on your visit to Nabutautau.

Interests

Cooking Cleaning the house Baking

Certificates and Training

Basic First Aid
0%
Guide Training Course;
0%

Sulueti Senitirau

I’m from Korolevu. And Iam married to a man in Nabutautau and his name is Rt. Pita Taraicake. I was born in Korolevu and my Father’s name is Jotame Goneva and my mother’s name is Sisilia Silivani and she is from Namoli. My father has passed away. My favourite dish is Cassava and fish (lolo). I am the treasurer of the Nabutautau Tourism Committee.  My hobbies are playing Netball, Volleyball, readings and singing. Thank you…

Interests

playing netball volleyball singing reading

Certificates and Training

Basic First Aid
0%
Guide Training Course;
0%
Financial and Business Management course
0%

Adi Kaveni

I’m from Nabutautau village. I was married to a man from Savusavu in Vanua Levu and my husband passed away in 2008. I have four children one boy and three girls. They are all married. My favourite food is Dalo and bele with tuna. I like cooking and baking, that’s why I like meeting people and give them the food which I cook and bake by myself. Vinaka.

Interests

Cooking Baking meeting people

Adi Bera

Paula

Seru

Marisela Vua

I married to Nabalasere village with only one daughter. My favourite dish is dalo and fish (lolo). I like singing and play netball

Ranadi Meri

I married to Nabalasere village with 5 kids, 2 girls and 3 boys. 2 kids are in high school the other 3 are still in primary school. My favourite dish is dalo and bele with Tuna. I like reading and sharing with people.

Varaone Nakewa

I’m 45 years old. I’m married to a lady from Nadrau name Eleni Tinai, had three children, the eldest is in class five name Joe, the second eldest name Milika she’s five years old and the youngest is Kaveni he’s one years old. I love meeting people especially the tourist that visiting the waterfall, I always try my best that no one was hurt. I love cassava with lolo fish.

Peni

Savirio

Aminiasi

Milika

Meli Naiqama

I have a keen interest in the Great Outdoors. Currently I am working with Talanoa Treks to guide people on walks up Mount Victoria(Fijis highest mountain) and also guide bird lovers on birdwatching trips.

I am also one of the few volunteers that works with NatureFiji -MareqetiViti (Fijis only Conservation Organisation) since its establishment in 2007 and still active uptill to date.I count my hobbies as Meeting new people,Hiking,Birdwatching,Socialising and Watching Movies