Uafato Conservation Area

'Upolu

LoginSave

The 14 sq km of wild and rugged terrain that comprise the Uafato Conservation Area boast untouched rainforest that marches down from Upolu’s northeastern hills to dip its toes in the ocean. Flora lovers can track down a rare stand of ifilele (the tree used for ‘ava bowls), while fauna fans can observe numerous bird and bat species going about their aerial business. Uafato village is known for its traditional carvers, who are usually willing to demonstrate their art to visitors.

Uafato can be reached via a rough road that winds around Fagaloa Bay from the turn-off at Falefa Falls. This route offers beautiful views, but don’t go past Saletele without a high-clearance vehicle. Another option is the road (4WD only; 10km) signposted off Le Mafa Pass Rd to the village of Ta’elefaga.

Contact SamoaOnFoot for tours and transport.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • To Sua ocean trench in Upolu, Samoa, South Pacific, Pacific

    To Sua Ocean Trench

    6.37 MILES

    This outrageously photogenic spot is a Samoan icon; skip it to your everlasting regret. Though the first thing you'll see upon entering the grounds is To…

  • Maketi fou (new market) scenE

    Maketi Fou

    19.6 MILES

    Abuzz with local merchants, shoppers, loiterers and men slamming it down over games of mu (Samoan checkers), this 24-hour market is a must-see shopping…

  • Papase’ea Sliding Rocks

    Papase’ea Sliding Rocks

    20.66 MILES

    Kids and adults have a brilliant time skimming down these natural slides – actually small waterfalls – into blessedly cool waterholes; you'll hear happy…

  • Samoa Cultural Village

    Samoa Cultural Village

    19.36 MILES

    Though this 'village' is open every weekday, it's the interactive sessions that are an absolute must. Knowledgable and extremely affable hosts take…

  • Sopoaga Falls in Samoa

    Sopo’aga Falls

    5.68 MILES

    The 54m-high Sopo’aga Falls empty themselves into an enormous gorge close to where the Main South Coast Rd meets Le Mafa Pass Rd. The well-signposted…

  • O Le Pupu-Pu’e National Park

    O Le Pupu-Pu’e National Park

    15.5 MILES

    The name of this 29-sq-km national park means ‘from the coast to the mountaintop’. There are some superb (if rough) hikes to be had here. A trail (six…

  • Mt Vaea National Reserve

    Mt Vaea National Reserve

    18.24 MILES

    Robert Louis Stevenson's final resting place is adjacent to the museum that bears his name. Follow the signs for the path – known as the 'Road of Loving…

View more attractions

Nearby 'Upolu attractions

1. Sopo’aga Falls

5.68 MILES

The 54m-high Sopo’aga Falls empty themselves into an enormous gorge close to where the Main South Coast Rd meets Le Mafa Pass Rd. The well-signposted…

2. To Sua Ocean Trench

6.37 MILES

This outrageously photogenic spot is a Samoan icon; skip it to your everlasting regret. Though the first thing you'll see upon entering the grounds is To…

3. Lalomanu Crater

7.32 MILES

A short but steep walk (10 to 15 minutes) leads to this extinct crater, blanketed in jungle overgrowth. Home to a huge colony of flying foxes, and with…

4. Piula Cave Pool

7.89 MILES

Secreted beneath the campus of Piula Methodist Theological College, Piula Cave Pool consists of two blue-green, fish-filled freshwater grottoes, only…

5. Vaiula Beach

11.3 MILES

There's decent surfing to be had at this pretty beach, accessed from Tafatafa village.

6. Togitogiga Waterfalls

13.98 MILES

A glorious spot for a splash, this series of gentle waterfalls are separated by blessedly cool waterholes. It's best to visit in the wet season. To get…

7. Ofa Waterfall

14.5 MILES

This waterfall is reached via an overnight hike into the O Le Pupu-Pu’e National Park.

8. O Le Pupu-Pu’e National Park

15.5 MILES

The name of this 29-sq-km national park means ‘from the coast to the mountaintop’. There are some superb (if rough) hikes to be had here. A trail (six…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "samoa/eastern-upolu/attractions/uafato-conservation-area/a/poi-sig/1456428/1332219",
  "destination": "'Upolu",
  "continent": "Australia-&-Pacific",
  "country": "Samoa",
  "region": "'Upolu",
  "position": "superzone"
}