Discover Nabalesere’s magnificent waterfall; gain an insight into life in remote, rural Fiji; explore the historic caves in Wailotua.
1 day | A day-trip out of Suva (or join from the Suncoast for just the waterfall), enjoy the drive along the scenic King’s Road and then inland to the edge of the Greater Tomaniivi forest reserve; soak up the atmosphere at Nabalesere’s stunning waterfall and swim in the refreshing waters; warm up with a cup of draunimoli and a local lunch in the village; and visit the historic Wailotua cave on the return journey to Suva.
Day trip
07:30 | Pick-up Suva (or 09:15 Pick-up Suncoast hotels)
09:00 | Short stop in Korovou town, opportunity to visit the market
10:00 | Turn inland onto gravel roads
11:00 | Arrive in Nabalesere, sevusevu, and be guided to their waterfall (1.5km)
13:30 | Local lunch prepared by the village
15:00 | Depart Nabalesere (Suncoast guests return to their hotel)
16:30 | Guided visit into the Wailotua caves
19:30 | Drop off in Suva
Please note that timings depend on the fitness of individuals and size of the group. Overnight treks are generally limited to a maximum of 8 hikers.
What to bring…
You’ll need a sulu (as in a sarong or wrap-around) for village etiquette and to put on as you enter the village. We will provide this for the day if you don’t have one.
It’s also a good idea to wear whatever you’re going to walk and get wet in (should you want to walk behind the falls or take a swim), as changing facilities are basic and it saves time when we arrive. Feel free to swim, but out of respect for the site as a place of cultural importance, please keep a t-shirt on and refrain from stripping down to revealing swimwear.
You can leave a dry change in the village hall for when we get back, as it’s best to carry as little as possible, but do take a towel as the water is cold and can leave you briefly shivering!
Other things to take on the walk to the waterfall… sun cream, insect repellent, camera, and plastic bag to keep it dry, drinking water and snacks (lunch will be on the late side). Plus, if you have a pair of swimming goggles or a mask, bring them along so you can see in the spray!
For the cave, please bring along a torch.
Footwear
Trainers with a good grip, walking shoes, or walking sandals are best. The 1.5km path can be a bit slippery and muddy – especially after rain – but there’s no need for hiking boots.
For safety, we’d recommend keeping your shoes on, when you cross the creek or even when you go swimming. It makes it less likely that you’ll slip and stop you stubbing a toe.
Flip-flops or sandals to change into from your wet shoes are a good idea!
Where should I stay before and after the trek?
The starting points for this itinerary are Suva or the Suncoast.
Coming to Suva will give you an opportunity to explore the hub of the South Pacific, a bustling place, with cafes, restaurants and a bit of culture (have a browse round the Fiji Museum and a beverage of your choice at the refurbished Grand Pacific Hotel). Alternatively, resorts tucked away on the Suncoast are laid back, great for diving, and will minimise your driving time.
It’s also possible to start in Suva and finish on the Suncoast, combining a transfer with the trip.
Unfortunately, however, if you’re staying on the Suncoast, the itinerary doesn’t include a visit to the cave at Wailotua.
Otherwise we return back to Suva in the evening.
How fit do I need to be?
Our itineraries are designed for hikers. While they cover a variety of levels of difficulty, they are enjoyed most by people with a good level of fitness who hike regularly. The visit to Nabalesere and their waterfall is within most people’s ability. The track is 1.5km each way, with some up and down, but no time pressure. All the other walks are more strenuous. Longer days should leave you feeling satisfyingly tired after a good day’s hiking with a sense of achievement. The challenge of walking in Fiji comes from the heat, humidity, remoteness and the nature of the tracks, which are not constructed paths, are uneven, and can become muddy and slippery. If you don’t exercise regularly, we’d recommend getting out on the trail before you come to Fiji, as you’ll enjoy your trip with us all the more!
What shoes and clothes are best?
Footwear
Approach or trail shoes are ideal for Fiji conditions. But trainers/runners with a good grip or other walking shoes will do. Avoid stylish trainers with no grip! Paths can be slippery and muddy – especially after rain. We will also be crossing small creeks and some larger rivers, and you will get your feet and up to your knees wet! We recommend keeping your shoes on at all times, whether you’re crossing a river or even swimming.
Other clothing
Most people wear a lightweight t-shirt (quick-dry, collared t-shirts are ideal) and a pair of shorts for walking, but if you want to protect your shins from grass cuts, then trousers, long socks (stylish!) or exercise leggings are highly recommended. If you have a lightweight raincoat/pac-a-mac, it’s worth carrying it in case we get caught in a shower… it won’t keep you dry, but it’ll keep the wind out. We also strongly recommend you bring a hat to keep the sun off your head.
What about water?
Although the piped water in the villages is drunk by the locals, to reduce the chance of any problems we strongly recommend you only use only filtered, treated, or boiled water. We carry a supply of filtered water in our vehicles and we have installed Lifestraw Community filter systems at each of our partner villages for refilling bottles. Lemon-leaf and lemongrass tea, using boiled water, is in plentiful supply in the villages, and with a bit of sugar added makes for a good energy drink!
In Fiji, you need to carry and be drinking a lot of water. How much will depend on the length of the walk, the heat, humidity, your own personal fitness, and how much you naturally sweat. For this day trip a 1.5-litre bottle should be sufficient.
Do I need to bring food?
Meals are provided by the villages and lodges. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements before your trip. The guides carry some snacks to share on each hike, but if you have any favourite snacks, you should buy them in advance. There are no shops or stores once we leave the coast.
More frequently asked questions
Check out our FAQs and if there’s anything you can’t find the answer to, please just drop us a line via the Enquiry Form or email [email protected].
When you’re visiting or staying in a Fijian village there are some important rules for you to remember so that you are being respectful of Fiji’s history and culture.
The most important ones are:
- Always wear a sulu (sarong/wrap around material) that covers your legs down to just above your ankles while you’re within the village boundaries
- Never wear a hat or anything on your head while you’re in the village
- Always take your shoes off before going inside (you can keep your socks on)
- Sit down as quickly as possible when you go inside and don’t stand up indoors
- If you need to move around indoors when others are sitting, it’s polite to stoop or crawl
- If you’re presented with a bowl of kava it’s polite to drink the first one… clap once, take the bowl and drink it all, and after returning the bowl clap three times
Guides mixing kava in Naga – Photo: Elliot Wright
Check our scheduled dates through the Book Now button above or check out our Trek Schedule for a list of dates. If you form part of a group please contact us for tailored group options.
We visit the waterfall at Nabalesere on the first day of our 5-day?4-night Full Monty trek, so if you’re looking for a more strenuous adventure, check this trip out too!
Please note
If the weather is very bad, we may need to change the itinerary for your safety.