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Sabeto River ValleyThe Sleeping Giant Mountains are a well-known, picturesque backdrop to Fiji's gateway - Nadi. These 'mountains' are so called because of the skyline profile, which takes the form of a large giant, with a huge stomach, lying asleep ! The range is actually called the Sabeto (pronounced Sam-betto) Range, lying in an approximate east-west orientation, with the Giant's feet at the western (ocean) end, and his head to the east, where the Sabeto Range leads into the loftier Mt Evans Range. The highest peak in the Sabeto Range is 618m high (Drelaga), while the highest peak in the Mt Evans Range is 1195 metres (Koroyanitu). Koroyanitu means in Fijian "Village of the Devil!"
A pleasant half-day drive can be had by taking the Sabeto River road right past the Sabeto Range and up into the foothills of the Mt Evans Range. The road is sealed for about half the journey, but a 4WD is necessary for the whole trip. Take some water and whatever refreshments you feel you might like for the journey as there are no cafes along the way, except for the Stoney Creek Resort at the very beginning of the trip.
The Sabeto road turnoff is found just about 5-8 minutes north of the Nadi International Airport. (If you cross the Sabeto River, you have gone too far). Turn right to Sabeto. A short way down the Sabeto road, you will find the Stoney Creek Resort, and Sabeto Village. Pass by an Indian school, with colourful temple containing elephants and other carvings on the left hand side. The Sabeto road winds along with the river on the left hand side and from time to time you will see the river. You will also see the electricity pylons, of the Monasavu Hydro line. There are a couple of turn offs on the left - one to the Natubakitoga cave and the other to the Koro-I-ra-ra waterfalls. If you wish to visit either of these, you need to allow more than the half-day mentioned.
Further along the Sabeto road, the road forks. The right hand fork goes to the Nagado Village and on to Heaven's Edge Backpacker Resort, which is another good trip but allow a whole day there and back to Nadi. So take the left fork, to Korobebe (pronounced korrohm-bembay) village. Before you reach Korobebe, there is a point where you can see the Sabeto river clearly on the left. If you have walking shoes, take the opportunity of walking down to the mostly shallow, fast-flowing river - with sculptured rocks, and rushing water. It is a good photo opportunity.
After Korobebe village, the road gets rougher and narrower, but it is a pretty journey up the road to Navilawa village. Please note that there is very little opportunity to turn the vehicle around until you enter Navilawa Village. The route takes you uphill, and past the "head" of the Sleeping Giant on the left. Further on, past the Giant's head, you will then glimpse the higher Mt Evans Range, whose highest peak is Mt Koryanitu. The Sabeto river contains eels and fish ('maleya'), which the local Fijians catch to eat with cassawa, dalo or yams. Also along the road you will find local plantings of banana, dalo, cassawa, breadfruit, pomelo, and papaya. Closer to Navilawa village there are also some citrus trees of local lemon and orange.
The road to Navilawa also passes a now abandoned gold mining area - Tuvatu Gold Mine - (Emperor Gold Mining company) and you will see the old barracks on the left. They were operated from 1996 - 2001. Further on, you cross over the Qalibua Creek, which joins up with the Sabeto River close to that point. The road gets a bit steeper and rutted at this point for the final stretch up to Navilawa Village, population around 150. The road crosses the Sabeto River for the first time, but crosses back again just at the entrance to the village. On the right hand side of this last stretch of road, one can view huge cliffs (Naselo) and a peak called Sonaisali.
Navilawa Village is quite isolated and village protocol should be observed. You may not be able to take photographs inside the village, and always ask for permission to enter. Take a gift of kava roots (purchased beforehand in Nadi) for the Chief, do not wear a hat in the village, and modest clothing should be worn (no halter tops etc). In the center of the village is a turning point for vehicles. Beside this area is a huge boulder, which is quite a unique feature.
There used to be guided trekking to Mt Evans from this village. Quite an arduous trek of about 8 hours, first to a rest bure at Mt Koroyanitu, then along the range to the Batilamu lookout (great views back to Nadi), and then over the range and down to the village of Abaca for an overnight stop. The head guide is Gabriel, from Navilawa.
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Getting Around
