Kipu Falls Safari Adventure

Take a fun, downwind kayak trip on the Huleia River – a beautiful and historic jungle stream.  Where the river gets shallow, tie your kayak to a tree and take a 3/4-mile hike to a beautiful area of swimming holes and waterfalls.  Next, jump onto a covered wagon for a  trip across Kipu Ranch to the Kipu Falls trailhead for a hike down to a picnic spot at the waterfalls edge, good for swimming and eating lunch!  Then, travel by covered wagon to a jungle trail, where you will hike a mile down to a river landing, board a twin-hulled powered Hawaiian canoe for a delightful cruise back downriver.

Includes snacks and cold drinks, a great picnic lunch, fresh air, exercise, interesting discussion of natural history, folklore, culture and legends.  A great day in a great place!


About your adventure:

The Kayaking: Use a 2 person, open-cockpit type kayak, to conquer this two mile journey. You will go through: Hule'ia Nat'l Wildlife Refuge, a place for the preservation of endangered Hawaiian water birds.  Alekoko (Menehune) Fishpond, a living archaeological site.   Throughout the safari view the Haupu Mountain Range, a 2000-foot shield  volcano that looms over the river.  Huliea has been the site of filming for a wide range of major motion pictures, including: Jurassic Park,  Lost World and Raiders of the Lost Ark.

The Wagon Ride: Ride in a covered farm wagon, pulled by a John Deere 4 wheel drive tractor.  Your ride includes stops along: Kipu Ranch, a 4000-acre working ranch, with approximately 2000 head of cattle. The ranch is home to Hawaii ’s paniolo (cowboys), descendants of William Hyde Rice, the first missionary to come to Kauai.  Kipu Falls, where you will catch glimpses of peacocks, wild boar, and pheasants as you traverse the expansive Ranch.

The Trekking:  Leave the kayaks behind and hike on one of 3 different jungle trails, all leading to hidden waterfalls and swimming holes. Conducted as a nature walk, trek through pristine tropical rain forests, containing various species of birds, plants, and aquatic life, both native and introduced.  Stop to dive into beautiful pool-drop waterfalls that cascade over black lava rock cliffs. Try a rope swing while trekking through fern forests and flowering gingers.

The Canoe Ride:  As you head down river, kick back, relax, and soak up the sun while taking in the gorgeous scenery aboard the big, double-hulled Hawaiian Canoe. It's 32' long and 10' wide, with plenty of comfortable seating.  The canoe is powered by a small, quiet 4-stroke outboard motor.