Unique Whanganui River Experience
Unique Whanganui River Experience
Unique Whanganui River Experience
4.5
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About
Unique Whanganui River Experiences offers unique educational and immersive one and multi-day experiences on the Whanganui River. The fully hosted, Māori experiences are guided by trained Awa navigators. Spend up to 16 hours traversing the beautiful Awa in a canoe, while learning about the rich history, kai, and kōrero. Visit the website or call us to learn more.
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Unique Whanganui River Experience
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4.5
31 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Cathie
4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Friends
Deifintely a ‘Unique’ trip. As a group of friends we had a lot of fun however they forgot to bring tents and mattresses for our first night. This could have been disastrous as it was raining and the hut was full. Luckily the hut warden and another couple of people conjured up a few tents, but with little to sleep on and squashed in there was not much sleep. Next morning the river was in flood so we definitely appreciated having guides on the river. The food was good. The canoes were pretty battered by the end of the season and in need of a few repairs… which apparently gets done in the off season.
Written 21 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pradeep c
Chennai (Madras), India9 contributions
Mar 2023
I was booked on the Wanganui River Cruise on 20-March 2023 to 22 March 2023. This was done by Uma and Natarajan through the Unique Wanganui River Experience Company.
I followed the safety briefings and on 21 was really cold, tired and wet by lunch time. We landed at the campground – or Māori village. The place is remote. No cell access though the camp ground staff and my guide had radio and Satnav access.
I was shivering a lot and politely asked the guide Rueha for hot water and food and she refused to give it to me and said, the welcome ceremony had to be done 1st. The ground was slippery and as I was already tired and cold, I was walking only on the grass that is less slippery than the mud. However due to sheer exhaustion I slipped and fell. The left ankle had intense pain. I was helped on to a nearby table. Fearing I will pass out, I lay down on the table.
Seeing this, she yelled at me from a distance, “Sir, I don’t care what you will say but you cannot sleep on a table where people may eat!”, I didn’t want to create a fuss but even after she knew my case, there was not one word of apology or even concern as a guide for what I was going through.
Neither the guides or the hosts thought it important to alert emergency esp. when we are in such a remote place.
I was pretty much left to myself. The accommodation of floor sleeping was Impossible, I had to pay 30Dollars to get a raised bed. Next day someone thankfully got my bags into the canoe. I was hobbling up the long distance and again, without any provocation, she said, “you are a grown man, we are not going to carry you” there was no need for this rude statement when I did not even ask her for help. The other guide Connor was more polite.
Last day they did not give us the promised lunch either. If you do sign up with them, just remember, if something goes wrong, you are COMPLETLY on your own and if you have their guide RUEHA, her cruel and heartless words will hurt far more than your sprain or fracture
I am going in for a complex surgery on Monday. Some part of this would have been avoided if I had better care as soon as I was hurt.
I followed the safety briefings and on 21 was really cold, tired and wet by lunch time. We landed at the campground – or Māori village. The place is remote. No cell access though the camp ground staff and my guide had radio and Satnav access.
I was shivering a lot and politely asked the guide Rueha for hot water and food and she refused to give it to me and said, the welcome ceremony had to be done 1st. The ground was slippery and as I was already tired and cold, I was walking only on the grass that is less slippery than the mud. However due to sheer exhaustion I slipped and fell. The left ankle had intense pain. I was helped on to a nearby table. Fearing I will pass out, I lay down on the table.
Seeing this, she yelled at me from a distance, “Sir, I don’t care what you will say but you cannot sleep on a table where people may eat!”, I didn’t want to create a fuss but even after she knew my case, there was not one word of apology or even concern as a guide for what I was going through.
Neither the guides or the hosts thought it important to alert emergency esp. when we are in such a remote place.
I was pretty much left to myself. The accommodation of floor sleeping was Impossible, I had to pay 30Dollars to get a raised bed. Next day someone thankfully got my bags into the canoe. I was hobbling up the long distance and again, without any provocation, she said, “you are a grown man, we are not going to carry you” there was no need for this rude statement when I did not even ask her for help. The other guide Connor was more polite.
Last day they did not give us the promised lunch either. If you do sign up with them, just remember, if something goes wrong, you are COMPLETLY on your own and if you have their guide RUEHA, her cruel and heartless words will hurt far more than your sprain or fracture
I am going in for a complex surgery on Monday. Some part of this would have been avoided if I had better care as soon as I was hurt.
Written 25 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hazel Hewlett
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
Went here on a school trip and I had a lot of fun. I loved going down the river and the teamwork skills that I learned. I enjoyed meeting new people, making new friends, learning new skills, and being a part of Māori culture. I was on a boat with Rue as my instructor. (She was definitely the best)
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amelie B
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Friends
I loved going on the whanganui river we went in a large group for my school camp and it was super fun! The guides were super helpful (especially Rue she is the best guide) and the river was amazing (from amelie)
Written 15 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CristyPC
Byron Bay, Australia8 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
We had such an incredible experience paddling down the Awa with Hayden and his crew. They looked after us so well, shared their knowledge with us and were heaps of fun. I cannot recommend this trip with this crew highly enough.
Written 25 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rachelsieder21
Mexico City, Mexico3 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Hayden and his family were the most amazing guides and looked after us in every way possible. We had fun and learnt so much on their beautiful river Whanganui, it was a completely transformative experience. Couldn't recommend more highly.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lizmacphers0n
Christchurch, New Zealand2 contributions
Jan 2023 • Business
Our group had the most incredible, fun experience on the river with Hayden’s team. They looked after our every need, kept us safe across a range of experience levels, and shared their extensive and valuable knowledge of the Awa. Food was delicious and catered to a range of dietary needs. We came as strangers and left as friends. It’s a very important choice as to who to go with down the river and not all providers are the same. With Unique Whanganui you get the authentic experience, which brings you inside the river and its people. 100% recommend and can’t wait to go back!
Written 22 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily-Rose
1 contribution
Feb 2022 • Family
We cannot recommend Unique Whanganui tours enough!! Hone was our lead Awa navigator and we had 3 days of laughter, kōrero and kai together, in an unforgettable experience.
The good: Awa history, conquering the rapids, feeling safe and blessed at every turn, making great friends, seeing glow worms and fossils and learning heaps
The bad: having to leave
The ugly: that wipeout recovery “where’s your pants?!!”
Go with Unique, don’t think twice. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou - Hayden, Marama and the team. We miss you already Hone, Grace and Trish!!
Nā mātou noa nā Em, Jo and Nick xxx
The good: Awa history, conquering the rapids, feeling safe and blessed at every turn, making great friends, seeing glow worms and fossils and learning heaps
The bad: having to leave
The ugly: that wipeout recovery “where’s your pants?!!”
Go with Unique, don’t think twice. Ngā mihi maioha ki a koutou - Hayden, Marama and the team. We miss you already Hone, Grace and Trish!!
Nā mātou noa nā Em, Jo and Nick xxx
Written 12 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grace W
4 contributions
Jan 2022 • Friends
Went with 5 girlfriends...wow what an amazing experience. Thank you to our amazing guides Hone and Hayden. Their knowledge of the Awa & Whenua made our 3 days unforgettable. If you need time out and want to get back to nature this is well worth doing. Highly recommend this company. Lots of great food, warmth, and laughter. Thank you all so so much 😊❤
Written 9 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve H
Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand9 contributions
Jan 2022
There's so much depth, texture and colour that comes from having a Maori guide such as Hayden on this trip. Beside knowing the right paths and techniques for navigating the rapids they also bring the landscape to life with their stories, history and knowledge. Their passion and connection with the river makes it so much more than 3 days drifting downstream in a boat.
Just finished the three day trip with my wife. Our heads are still swimming with experience.
Did you know that the best leaves for kawakawa tea are the ones with the bug holes in them ..because the bugs find the sweetest leaves ? or about the tears that form the river? Or why the river has the legal status of a person in NZ?
We can't recommend these guys enough for what they share and bring to their guiding.
...and the kai was great too !
Just finished the three day trip with my wife. Our heads are still swimming with experience.
Did you know that the best leaves for kawakawa tea are the ones with the bug holes in them ..because the bugs find the sweetest leaves ? or about the tears that form the river? Or why the river has the legal status of a person in NZ?
We can't recommend these guys enough for what they share and bring to their guiding.
...and the kai was great too !
Written 3 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience