Nature of Fiji - national parks and reserves for active recreation

Fiji is a state that occupies the territory of a group of islands in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. It includes more than three hundred islands, the largest of which are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Most of them are from ancient extinct volcanoes.Smaller islands have limestone or coral origin; in fact they are ancient reefs with typical central Pacific lagoons atolls. The relief of the archipelago is formed by a plateau intersected by mountain ranges. The highest point of the country is Mount Tomanivi or Mount Victoria on the island of Viti Levu. Its height exceeds one thousand meters. Rivers with rapids take their origin from the mountains, the largest of them being Rewa and Sigatoka. The country is dominated by a hot and humid tropical climate with pronounced seasons. Raging storms are also often experienced.

Fiji is the land of amazing, breathtaking natural beauty. Today, there are still untouched tropical forests and volcanic mountain ranges, which have rightly been accorded the status of nature protection zones. In order to preserve the pristine kind of unique Fijian landscapes, national parks and reserves were created throughout the archipelago, some of which are very popular among tourists from all over the world. On Taveuni Island is located the Bouma National Heritage Park, which the locals nicknamed “Fiji Garden”. Here, exotic animals and birds live in dense forests among picturesque mountains, hills, and waterfalls. There are several settlements in the park, ideal for romantic and family holidays.

You will also find situated here, the Lavena National Park. It is surrounded by virgin rainforests freshwater lakes and mountain ranges that sparkle in the sun. Among the notable animals living in the park is the rare parrots “Iory”. The protected coastal waters are also inhabited by turtles, dolphins, pinnipeds. When immersed, you can see flocks of colorful fish and corals of rare colors. On Viti Levu is situated a national heritage park, Koroyanitu, which contains in it the remains of the ancient cultures of Oceania. Many pedestrian paths and bicycle routes also pass through it. Indigenous descendants living in roadside settlements not only introduce tourists to customs and rituals, but also show them national clothes and houses, and prepare dishes of Fijian cuisine for them. Several types of herbs can be seen growing in the park. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the mountains of the island is situated the forest reserve Kolo-i-Suva. The current zone is crossed by the river coming from the mountains. In the protected forests, you will encounter more than a thousand species of unique plants. Trails laid for tourists lie along rocky waterfalls, which empty their water into bowls of natural lakes. Among the crowns of trees and thickets of shrubs, there are parrots and long-legged nightingales, while hiding in the thickets of grasses are the agile mongooses and reed toads. In the suburb of Sigatoka in the late 20th century, the Sigatoka-Sand Dunes National Park was established. Today in Fijian dunes, you will find fifty graves of an ancient tribe lapita. Here you will also find sacred caves Naihere and ruins of the Tongan fort Tavuni. Reptiles, bats, and more than twenty species of birds live in the desert area.

The Eco Park Kula on the Coral Coast is a cool emerald forest that stretched all the way to the middle of a cozy valley. Past the trees with bizarre fruits and nuts, rushes a swift stream, the banks of which are covered with strange flowers and shrubs. In the forest, can be heard the cooing of pigeons, and quack ducks. Today in the park, you can see tropical animals and birds, amazing insects, reptiles and amphibians, among them – Fijian monkeys, crested iguanas, earthen frogs, crimson parrots, Pacific ducks. The ecopark has become home to almost one hundred and fifty species of endangered animals. To the east of Nadi is the beautiful mountain valley of Nausori. The steep slopes of the hills are covered by a dense carpet of vegetation while fragrant flowers can be seen growing underneath the branches of lush trees. The tropical forest is crossed by fast mountain rivers.

In the center of Savusavu is located a zone of Hot Springs which signifies traces of ancient volcanic activity. Picturesque spots in the neighboring vicinity of evaporating underground thermal springs look like lands from other worlds. They are surrounded by emerald hills, covered with sandalwood trees, coconut palms, and reed thickets. Another of Fiji’s natural attractions is the Garden of the Sleeping Giant not far from Nadi. Its name is due to the unusual outlines of the mountains, from a distance resembling the silhouette of a lying giant. The garden was founded by a famous Canadian actor, who bought it for the purpose of breeding his own collection of orchids. Today it includes more than two hundred varieties of the flower collected from around the world. Around the flower beds with orchids stretches a dense jungle, in which you can often find ponds and lakes. Tropical ficus, palm trees, Tradescantia, and monstera also grow in the garden.