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Contact usNavala's Tribute to Tradition
Cultural Marvel: Navala's Tradition in Fiji's Suncoast
Most people who visit Navala - Fiji’s most picturesque village - take the road inland from Ba; a small town on Viti Levu’s north-western coast.
It’s a scenic hour-long drive to the village, peppered with sugarcane fields, rural settlements and the occasional Hindu temple as the gravel road winds its way into the highlands.
At the Irish crossing near the village, children frolic in the shallows while women attend to their laundry and horses cool off under the trees. And there, on the opposite riverbank, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the traditional thatched ‘bures’ (Fijian huts) that make this remote village so special.
It’s a scenic hour-long drive to the village, peppered with sugarcane fields, rural settlements and the occasional Hindu temple as the gravel road winds its way into the highlands.
At the Irish crossing near the village, children frolic in the shallows while women attend to their laundry and horses cool off under the trees. And there, on the opposite riverbank, you’ll catch your first glimpse of the traditional thatched ‘bures’ (Fijian huts) that make this remote village so special.
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Humble Beginnings
Navala didn’t start out in the typical fashion. It was built in the late 19th century when five remote highland villages decided to build a school for their children. Laying out an unusual cross-shaped central avenue, they built a church at it’s head and lined the cross-streets with dozens of thatched-roof ‘bures’.
Building Bures
Although shape and raw materials differ slightly by region, these rustic, open-plan huts are usually built on a stone platform, with woven split-bamboo or reed walls and a high, thatched roof.
It literally takes a village to construct and maintain them. During this time, several men work intermittently for up to two months before they’re completed.
Many more bures (and a few modern buildings) have been built since but when Navala decided to stick to its traditions in the 1950s, it gradually became Fiji’s best tribute to the past.
Getting Here:
Several tour companies make day trips here organizing everything from logistics to lunch. Like all village visits in Fiji, you can expect to attend a welcoming kava ceremony before taking a tour of the village and exchanging stories with the locals.
Tour Companies:
Many Nadi-based tour companies organize day trips to Navala taking care of all logistic, guide(s), entry fees and village protocols.
Talanoa Treks Hiking Tours: Navala is the last stop on an exciting 3-day cross-island trek.
Bulou’s Eco Lodge: A rustic neighbouring lodge that organises sightseeing trips to Navala Village.
Key Takeaways
- Many Nadi-based tour companies organize day trips to Navala taking care of all logistic
- Don’t forget your camera! Pictures are welcome but it’s polite to ask before taking them.
- Remember your manners! There are strict protocols to observe when visiting a Fijian village.
- Join an organised tour to avoid any embarrassing faux pas.
Talanoa Treks
Hike through the heart of Fiji, hosted by rural interior communities
As Fiji's only dedicated multi-day hiking company, we take you off the beaten track to trek through Fiji’s hidden interior – with its dramatic peaks, pristine forests, sparkling rivers, remote villages and unique history – and truly experience Fiji's vibrant traditional culture.
Learn more about Talanoa TreksBulou's Eco Lodge
Situated on 6 acre of property in the interior of Navala.
Bulou's Eco Lodge is away from everything! Features 2 Private bungalows with private facilities and a Dormitory (sleeps 10pax) with communal facilities and solar powered electricity. To enjoy a quiet hideaway and stay affordable, do check out Bulou's Eco Lodge in the interior of Ba.
Learn more about Bulou's Eco LodgeActivities & Experiences
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