Accommodation at Navutulevu

Booking:

It is recommended that you book well in advance (at least a month or two) ahead of time. The total amount due will be based on the number of days you wish to stay with your accommodation being paid in cash on arrival at the village. It is important to note that there is a limit of twenty visitors to Navutulevu at any time so we cannot guarantee that there will be places available if you are already in Fiji.

Image right: Navutulevu's newest village store

The initial communication leading up to a firm booking will be made via email on this web site (navutulevu@fiji-bure.com) or by completing the on-line enquiry form. Once your confirmation has been received by fijibure.com we will fax or email you a confirmation booking slip which will provide details of taxi pick-ups and confirm the dates of your stay.

Accommodation and food costs:

The costs of accommodation, inclusive of meals, at Navutulevu are well below budget costs at recognised hotels - namely F$60 per adult per day and F$30 per day for children under 13 years of age. (eg a family of four with two adults is just F$180 per day inclusive of all meals). There is a small upfront booking fee.

Please note F$1 is worth about 55 cents (US) an international currency converter is available at this link

Clothing:

Basic - thongs, shorts, t-shirts, open necked shirts, traditional Fijian dress, sarong, be modest while in the village area. Bring your bikinis but keep them for swimming away from the village - Fijians are modest and religious (there is a Church in the village and an excellent choir) and will be offended if scanty clothing is worn in public in their village. The villagers would welcome any second hand clothes that you bring for distribution among the less-advantaged there.

Health:

If you are on medicine ensure that you have enough supplies to cover the entire length of your stay at Navutulevu. The nearest pharmacy is at Suva - about 90 minutes drive from Navutulevu. Fijians usually practice traditional medicine for dealing with their own ailments.

There are also no poisonous snakes on Viti Levu, however, it is recommended that you take some insect deterrent with you to Navutulevu.

Image right: Village life revolves around the family.

The pure air and water at Navutulevu Village is cleaner and fresher than anywhere in the western world. Water is tapped direct from the river springs and can be drunk without any danger.

Food:

All food is included in your package. Meals are prepared by the family hosting you and is normally served in traditional Fijian style on a small cloth on the floor. Food is eaten after saying grace with knives and forks or with the hand. The food served includes traditional foods like taro (a type of potato), droma droma (a large asparagus type vegetable), pineapple, guava, rice, meats, fish etc. Vegetarian meals can be catered for by prior arrangement.

There are three small stores at Navutulevu.

Water and Electricity:

Houses in Navutulevu have flush toilets, water tapped directly from the river is purer than that you find bottled in stores and showers for washing hair etc.

The home used by visitors at Navutulevu has flush toilets and showers on both floors.

There is reliable electricity 24 hours a day - 240v - power points are compatible with Australian standards.

Image right: The community hall at the end of the village green.

Entertainment:

The village entertainment centres around ceremonial Kava drinking sessions in the community hall.

Activities:

The village offers a range of activities - more at this link.

The villagers:

You will find that most of the villagers are inter-related in some way so be very careful not to inadvertently offend someone by speaking negatively about another villager who might be related to that person.

Adventures:

Navutulevu is located in a natural, unspoilt environment and has many areas to explore - such as miles of sandy beaches facing the Coral Coast. Alternatively, you can get Simon to act as your guide for a day - after 15 years of driving his taxis (which easily accommodates six people) there is little of this island that he does not know. You will have to pay Simon for any taxi rides - we suggest that you discuss this with him before you leave.

Image right: Just one of many perfect and secluded beaches in the 2km strip between Namatakula and Navutulevu

There is no shortage of unique adventures for you to plan and enjoy. Remember to take your digital camera and lots of memory or film - even if it is just to capture the villagers at play, the rising sun in the morning and sunset at night over the water, the incredibly bright night sky or full moon above or the sunsets... consider bringing a notebook computer so that you can keep downloading pictures. Some visitors have taken over 500 digital images on a three day stay!

The adventures that you will experience and the hospitality that you receive from the villagers will remain with you forever.

Gifts:

Practical gifts are always welcomed by the villagers and their children but are entirely optional and not expected. Simple things like a bag of balloons will bring large smiles to the faces of the village kids, a small bag of second hand clothes for the children and adults are a winner. There is absolutely no need to feel that you have to bring gifts - you are not expected to - but they would be appreciated.

Image right: FijiBure.Com promoted at the local store

Don't forget to bring 2kg of powdered Kava with you as a ceremonial gift to be given to the villagers on your arrival.

Children:

The experience of previous visitors to Navutulevu is that your kids will have the best holiday of their lives. From the moment you arrive the natural friendliness and curiosity of the youngsters in the village will entertain and play with your children. It is highly likely you won't see them most of the time you are at Namatakula (or outside school hours).

Fijians at Navutulevu - friendly, accommodating and the perfect hosts.

Theft:

Theft is practically unheard of at Navutulevu. It is recommended that you do not flaunt your comparative wealth and keep money and valuables in your luggage in your house at Navutulevu.