New boats for Safari
COMMONLY known as Fiji’s original and the world’s first jet boat and village safari experience, the dream of Sigatoka River Safari was born in 1991.
The safari officially began its operations in 2006 and yesterday announced the arrival of two purpose built 19-seater vessels.
Managing director and founder Jay Whyte said both jetboats were built in New Zealand by Exact Engineering with a unique ability to attach a fully enclosed roofing system for use in the wet season, making these the first of their class for operations in Fiji.
Mr Whyte shared the special moment with the Yavusa Nukuvura and Nasaunivalu for which the two new jetboats were named after.
A ceremony was held yesterday to officially welcome the boats and Mr Whyte shared the story of how the Safari was born.
According to Mr Whyte it was a result of a friendship between Pita Matasau and Jay Whyte in which Pita invited Jay and his family to visit his village of Draiba.
He said it was after an unforgettable adventure to Draiba, Navosa, that an idea sprung to his mind, he believed that other visitors to Fiji needed to discover the natural beauty of Fiji’s interior in Navosa.
He said it was from this seed, a beautiful plant has grown and forged roots all along the majestic Sigatoka River with this plant now blooming today, with the flower of this plant reaching back to its origin in Draiba with the unveiling of Nukuvura and Nasaunivalu.
According to Mr Whyte the boats symbolised the connection of traditional links between the people of Navosa, beginning with Nukuvura where it all started in 1991, down to Nasaunivalu, through to Davujukia and Nabuavaju.
Mr Whyte thanked his team and said: “I continue to be amazed and humbled by the incredible way in which you all share your passion and love for Fiji with all our guests. It is a direct result of your wonderful hospitality that you help many thousands of people fall in love with Navosa, the way I did when I was 13 years old.”
He also thanked the delegations from Nukuvura and Nasaunivalu for allowing the company to bestow their name on the two boats and said that they would represent their clans with pride every time they went up and down the mighty Sigatoka River.
Sigatoka River Safari recently won its second World Travel Award, making it a back to back effort winning in 2017 and 2018 for Australasia's Best Adventure Tour Operator.