Page 40 - Fiji Traveller Issue 4

A place for adventure junkies

and nature lovers

Kila Eco-Adventure Park

By Sera Tikotikovatu-Sefeti experience, a lack of confidence, or a lack of exposure. So when people
achieve stuff that they're terrified of, it's such a heartwarming thing to
Kila Eco-Adventure Park is a destination that caters for thrill seekers, see them feel so pleased with themselves.
as well as visitors who prefer gentle strolls and immersing themselves in "I’ve had rugby players sweating and looking anxious and scared. It’s
Namosi’s verdant rainforest. not just the everyday person who’s fearful of heights, a lot of people
The adventure park boasts luscious green vegetation, botanical are, but when you are in a full-body safety harness with safety lines and
gardens, mini waterfalls, picnic bures, a thrilling obstacle course, eco- capable instructors, you have nothing to fear."
walks, and a zip line. It is owned and run by Pleass Global Ltd., which Cate says she is often in awe of visitors. "I take my hat off to them. I
acquired 427 acres of land in Namosi and is developing it into an have come across people who have had very low fitness levels get up
integrated, multi-use community known as Kila World . there, go around the course and on the giant swing, screaming their
The adventure park is the vision of company director, Warwick heads off, and I think it’s a wonderful experience for people."
Pleass, who with his team started developing the site in 2009. The safety lines, ancillary equipment, poles, and every element of
“We have over 420 acres of land, so we developed a small section the park are regularly inspected, and the instructors are trained by
of it for our factories for Aquasafe and VaiWai, and we were thinking, international experts from New Zealand and Australia.
‘What can we do with this land that will benefit the people of the Senior instructor Lemeki Toma Jr—who has been with Kila since
community nearby, the people of Suva, and tourists?’” Cate Pleass, the 2009—says this included “two weeks of training by an ex-ACS (Army
company's and marketing director, recalls. Cadet Staff) military officer from Australia. It started off with learning
"We used to come out here before the factory was built and go for about each other and ended with high rope, low rope, obstacle course,
walks in the rainforest. We thought so many people in Suva never get and other training.”
to experience this area, yet it's so beautiful, and it would be a wonderful Pleass Global Ltd and Kila Eco-Adventure Park partner with the
thing to have a health and fitness activity for people to visit on local community, helping neighbouring villages through scholarship
weekends and holidays," she adds. schemes, employing staff from local villages and more.
Cate says it was important they created a destination that aligned Tiritabua says, "I used to stay at home in the village, go fishing, go to
with their principles of sustainability and did not jeopardise their the farm. When this job came up, it gave me an opportunity to improve
organic certification and protection of the water sources deep my daily life and give back to my mum and dad."
underground. Future plans at Kila include a bike track through the park so visitors
So what can you do at Kila Eco-Adventure Park? can enjoy the simple pleasure of biking in the Namosi rainforest,
The site has intensive high and low rope courses which are designed breathing in its fresh air, taking in its natural sites and exploring the
to help teams co-operate and bond and draw upon individual strengths. farm and botanical gardens, which are filled with vanilla, pepper and
The ‘Giant Swing,' a sort of bungee-jump from a 12-metre-high many other interesting plants.
platform, is both a crowd favourite and one of the most feared If you would like to plan a visit to Kila Eco-Adventure Park, call
challenges for many visitors. The adrenaline starts building as you climb +679 9990883 or email kilatours@kilaworld.com as the park does not
up to the platform. Once securely attached to two cables, you take a take walk-in guests.
leap of faith, and swing like a pendulum to the ground. Once you confirm your booking, don’t forget to:
One of the pioneer instructors at Kila, Navitalai Tiritabua, says: • Wear closed shoes
"Sometimes we receive guests who have a fear of heights, but after • Dress comfortably
jumping off and facing their fear, they leave here with a totally new view • Expect rain (it’s a common occurrence up in Namosi).
on life and what they can accomplish."
Cate agrees: "I think sometimes, people lack the confidence for kilaworld.com
a variety of reasons to do certain things, either through a lack of

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