We’ve been on the glamping train for a awhile now. After all, combining the benefits of a luxury resort with the outdoor access of camping sounds pretty great. But most glamping trips have been limited to dude ranches and the wide open plains of the desert or American West. Until now.
Nanuku Auberge Resort Fiji has expanded its already full list of destination activities with the launch of private island camping.
The Pacific Harbour is renowned for its star-lit night skies, with the calm waters of Beqa Lagoon forming a sky-to- horizon reflecting mirror that helped earn the region its ‘pathway to the stars’ title.
The resort’s ‘Ki na kalokalo’ (pathway to the stars) camping experience revolves around an overnight stay on the resort’s nearby two mile private island, Nanuku Island, and begins when resort staff take guests on the short trip aboard its boat, Nanuku 1, for an activity-filled afternoon.
This includes a host of options – from exploring the island with jet skis, swimming, snorkelling, kayaking, paddle boarding – guests can even join their hosts, the resort’s team of ‘Nanuku Buddies’ in helping to catch and prepare the fresh fish, bamboo-pole cooked prawns and traditional ‘kokoda’ served for dinner. Less strenuous activities include palm-frond hat and basket weaving, coconut scraping, searching for the elusive Hawksbeak turtles which inhabit the island – or simply relaxing.
As the sun sets and the ‘kalokalo’ (stars) begin to emerge, the ‘Buddies’ entertain guests with traditional songs and the sharing of centuries-old legends of Fiji. Once dinner has been served and the entertainment has concluded, the crew retire to the nearby-moored Nanuku 1 for the evening, offering guests perfect privacy for the night – but not before leaving a ‘survival kit’, mobile phone and a Tiki torch pathway to a discreetly located and hurricane lamp-lit outhouse.
For those who wish to sleep undercover, weather-proof tents are an option but, according to general manager, Sascha Hemmann, most guests prefer to sleep under the ‘kalokalo’ in comfortable hammocks. The following morning, ‘Chef Hemmann,’ arrives aboard a jet ski to personally cook a delicious breakfast of pancakes, bacon and eggs, juices and fresh-brewed coffee and tea after which guests return to the resort.
Available daily, the ‘Ki na kalokalo’ private island camping experience is priced from $2,000* based on four people. Pricing per additional person is $300*.