Just a 20-minute drive from Suva’s central business district lies the lush oasis of the Colo-i-Suva Forest Park and Reserve. This vibrant location is a favorite among locals and tourists looking to escape the city’s hustle and bustle, especially during school and public holidays when visitor numbers swell.
A recent visit by The Sunday Times team revealed a tranquil world filled with towering mahogany trees and the sounds of exotic birds, offering a serene escape from everyday life. Established in 1952, the park is situated at an elevation of 56 meters, just outside the Colo-i-Suva village, and is accessible via various forms of transportation.
Managed by the Ministry of Forestry, reaching the park is easy. Visitors can take a bus from Suva bus station for less than $2, which takes about 30 minutes, or opt for a taxi ride costing up to $15. If driving, follow Princes Road through Tamavua and Tacirua village, with the main entrance conveniently located opposite the Ministry of Forestry station and Colo-i-Suva Rainforest Eco Lodge.
Covering approximately 4.97 square kilometers, the park is a sanctuary for a myriad of flora and fauna endemic to Fiji. Historical records indicate that African Mahogany trees were planted following extensive logging in the 1940s and ’50s, aimed at stabilizing the topsoil while preserving native vegetation. According to scientific reports, these exotic trees play a crucial role in purifying air and water, preventing soil erosion, and helping to combat climate change.
The Commonwealth Forestry Association notes that of Fiji’s 50% endemic plant species, 45% thrive in the forests of Colo-i-Suva. The area boasts vibrant flora including bamboo orchids, white ginger, morning glory, and sunset bell, alongside endemic ferns such as the false staghorn, birds nest fern, and king fern.
Among the 57 land birds in Fiji, 30 can be spotted in Colo-i-Suva. The distinctive calls of these birds, including the Barking Imperial Pigeon, known locally as the Soqe, resonate throughout the treetops. Other exotic birds found in the park include the Pacific Kingfisher, Fiji Whistler, Shrikebill, Woodswallow, and Parrotfinches, along with migratory and predatory birds like the Pacific black duck and Fiji goshawk.
The park is also home to a rich variety of insects and reptiles. More than 20 butterfly species, including the Fijian ringlet and great eggfly, contribute to pollination, while an abundance of spiders, dragonflies, moths, and other invertebrates can be found. The Pacific Flying Fox enjoys the many fruit trees, and the sounds of Small Indian Mongooses can occasionally be heard.
Colo-i-Suva serves as an excellent picnicking and recreational area, offering spectacular forest trails for hiking as well as rock pools and waterfalls for relaxation and cooling off. The temperature in the reserve can drop to between 15 to 20 degrees Celsius, with rainfall occurring for three to four days each week, making it rainier than most parts of Suva.
Waisiliva Creek meanders through the forest, creating numerous swimming holes along its rocky path from the Waimanu River. There are two car parks at the entrance of the park, leading to the upper and lower pools. The most renowned of the park’s waterfalls is Waisila Falls, famously known for its rope swing and deep pools suitable for swimming and diving.
With picnic tables and shelters available near the water, visitors can enjoy meals or simply relax in a picturesque setting. Forest reserves like Colo-i-Suva are essential for maintaining healthy ecosystems, providing fuel, water, food, and oxygen, stabilizing the climate, and protecting biodiversity.
The significance of Colo-i-Suva Forest Park and Reserve as a natural haven for many endemic species was acknowledged when it was registered under the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy by the late Queen Elizabeth II during the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta in 2015. During the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to Fiji in October 2018, Prince Harry also planted a Fijian Kauri tree, which the Ministry of Forestry continues to nurture.
If you plan a visit to Colo-i-Suva, take the opportunity to explore and appreciate its diverse life forms, from plants to birds and insects. There’s always something new to discover in this vibrant ecosystem.