TRAVEL | Namosi's highland secret

Anyone seeking to unplug, unwind and reconnect with nature will find that Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park in Navunibau, Namosi offers exactly that — and more.

Wrapped in gentle stillness, the park feels like a world apart, a quiet retreat for travellers hoping to step away from busy routines and constant noise.

Tucked away in the highlands of Namosi, with no cell phone or internet connection, the park invites visitors to truly disconnect from the pace of modern living and the daily grind. Here, time slows down.

Beyond its calm atmosphere, the park carries deep cultural roots that stretch back more than a century.

Located within Navunibau Village, Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park is the first of its kind to open in Fiji. What was once a wild bamboo forest has been transformed into a breathtaking ecological escape, offering visitors an immersive experience in nature’s purity and calm.

Landowners of the park, from the mataqali Namara of Navunibau, say the bamboo forest holds deep cultural and historical significance for their people.

Over the years, it served as a refuge for the mataqali and the people of Namosi during times of natural disaster and even tribal wars. Today, the park is surrounded by historical and sacred sites, enriching each visit with a sense of heritage, reverence and connection to the past.

Retreat

Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park is an ideal place to meditate, reflect and recharge.

From the moment you arrive, nature takes over. The gentle creak of bamboo stalks swaying above and the rhythmic rush of flowing water quickly draw you into a state of calm.

The mataqali describe the park’s waterways as a healing element for visitors. Here, the cool waters of Wainilutulevu meet the slightly warm currents of the Naqara River, creating a soothing and restorative experience for those who choose to take a dip.

It is the perfect setting for a peaceful retreat or a relaxed family picnic during weekends and holidays.

Features

The park offers several sites that visitors will enjoy, but before exploring, guests are encouraged to stop at the information centre.

Managed by the mataqali, the centre provides insight into the park’s historic sites and their cultural significance. Visitors pay their entry fee here before being briefed by a local guide who will accompany them on their tour.

It is compulsory for a local guide to be present during visits, ensuring both safety and a deeper understanding of the park. The centre also offers amenities such as toilets, shower facilities and a changing room.

Within the park are a car park, plantation site, herbal plant area, children’s play area, recreational spaces, a cave, walking tracks and bamboo trails that visitors can explore at their own pace.

For those who enjoy hiking and adventure, the park also features several lookout points.

At Lookout Point One, a decked platform offers views of Navunibau Village. The platform can hold four to five people and sits 135 metres from the centre at an elevation of 203 metres.

Lookout Point Two takes visitors slightly higher, with an elevation of 226 metres, offering clear views of Navunibau Village, Namosi Village and the surrounding landscape.

The final lookout point rewards trekkers with a climb of 249 metres up Naitarataranicagi rocky mountain. From here, visitors are treated to a sweeping 180-degree view of Namosi’s rocky mountains, winding waterways, lush vegetation and valleys below.

Long-term vision

Park staff member Akatalaini Vakaseleyasi Tauleka says the bamboo park is not just a project, but a long-term vision for sustainable eco-tourism and economic growth.

“The park has been earmarked for development into a world-class eco-tourism site, featuring mountain hiking, birdwatching, camping, swimming, zip line adventures, abseiling, visits to historical sites and more,” she said.

“When fully realised, these activities will attract visitors from across Fiji and beyond, while creating employment, generating income and uplifting the standard of living for the Mataqali Namara and the people of Namosi.

“As warriors (bati) of the Turaga na Vunivalu na Tui Namosi, members of the mataqali Namara are blessed with a rich heritage. From Koro ni Valu, our ancient village site (yavu), to sacred burial grounds such as Naivakasara, and other treasured historical sites and artefacts, we have so much to share with the world through our eco-tourism journey.”

Visitors wanting more information about the park or details on entry fees can visit the Dakuinaroba Bamboo Park Facebook page.