Your Wishlist

MORE EXPERIENCES →
Day 1

Drag experiences here.

Sumba Foundation

Add to wishlist

The Sumba Foundation® is constantly evolving to meet the current and future needs of the Sumbanese people.

We invite you to discover what The Sumba Foundation is doing across the island.

A stay at NIHI® Sumba combines the ultimate in luxury comforts with the opportunity to authentically immerse oneself in the island’s magnificently preserved, ancient tribal culture. The spirit of Sumba imbibes a plethora of vibrant, local traditions and rituals, which embody the rich symphony of local daily life.

Group of young Sumbanese schoolchildren dressed in crisp white shirts and red uniforms, standing barefoot and in sandals on a rural path at sunrise, symbolizing the Sumba Foundation’s impact on education access in remote communities.
Joyful group of Sumbanese school children smiling and waving outside their classroom, capturing the vibrant spirit and educational impact of initiatives by the Sumba Foundation and Burch Family Foundation
Local Sumbanese man herding a group of buffalo along a sunlit jungle path, symbolizing traditional livelihoods and rural life supported by the Sumba Foundation’s community-focused initiatives.
A smiling schoolgirl in uniform enjoys her meal inside a classroom in Sumba, reflecting the educational and nutritional impact of the Sumba Foundation’s outreach programs.
Three young Sumbanese boys in school uniforms enjoying a midday meal from colorful lunchboxes, seated against a bright blue classroom wall—part of the school nourishment initiatives by the Sumba Foundation, Burch Family Foundation and NIHI Sumba.
A healthcare worker in scrubs and a face mask examines samples under a microscope at a Sumba Foundation clinic, highlighting the foundation’s ongoing efforts in malaria prevention and community health at NIHI Sumba.

Overview

During the development of Nihiwatu (1988 – 1994), our pioneering founders Claude and Petra Graves lived much the same as the villagers around them did, without running water, electricity, or clinics to go to if they were sick.

These setbacks inspired them to explore solutions for the core issues similarly affecting their neighbors: poor health, no access to water, widespread malaria and malnutrition, minimal education and no medical facilities within a day’s walk.

The philanthropic vehicle they would use to fulfill the needs of the community was their resort Nihiwatu and so they began involving guests in community efforts near the resort.

The Sumba Foundation® is constantly evolving to meet the current and future needs of the Sumbanese people.

They have built a solid foundation of better health and basic education for the community, and have evolved to tackle more of what is needed; even better education, new skills training, and creating employment and small-scale business opportunities for future generations.

The Sumba Foundation® is a small but highly effective organization that is fully committed to helping the people of Sumba prosper, and with our help, they will.

Access to potable water and establishing community-based wells and water stations.

Health Care, including but not limited to malaria control, transmission reduction and eradication, eye care, midwife assistance, and general health consultation.
Nutrition projects for infants and school lunches for primary school students to improve their diets including a health and hygiene curriculum.

Local economic opportunity projects in sustainable farming.
Learning Development, helping to provide English language skills and computer technology to the next generation

Get in touch

For reservations or more information, please contact our

Travel Designers

E. [email protected]
W. +62 811 3821 2910

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Name*

More Experiences

VIEW ALL

Nihigram

Raja Mandaka, the crown jewel of NIHI Sumba.

Perched above the Indian Ocean, with uninterrupted views stretching along the Sumbanese coastline, it feels like a world of its own. Mornings unfold slowly, golden light spills across the horizon, and the sound of the ocean follows you from sunrise to sunset.

72617
Open post by nihi with ID 18011988986748417
Raja Mandaka, the crown jewel of NIHI Sumba.Perched above the Indian Ocean, with uninterrupted views stretching along the Sumbanese coastline, it feels like a world of its own. Mornings unfold slowly, golden light spills across the horizon, and the sound of the ocean follows you from sunrise to sunset.

Welcome to NIHI Sumba.

There’s nowhere quite like it. Sitting on the Edge of Wildness on the remote island of Sumba, just an hour from Bali, it’s a place where wild beauty, adventure and a little bit of magic come together.

#NIHIGram by @teoguarini @yunfancyf

94139
Open post by nihi with ID 18113541979965431
Welcome to NIHI Sumba.There’s nowhere quite like it. Sitting on the Edge of Wildness on the remote island of Sumba, just an hour from Bali, it’s a place where wild beauty, adventure and a little bit of magic come together.#NIHIGram by @teoguarini @yunfancyf

Merdeka! 🇮🇩

Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩
.
#nihigram by @childsphotos

181439
Open post by nihi with ID 18438589741123159
Merdeka! 🇮🇩Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩.#nihigram by @childsphotos

Merdeka! 🇮🇩

@nihi bangga menyebut Indonesia sebagai rumah kami. Dari Sumba, kami berdiri bersama untuk merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia yang ke-81.

Mari kibarkan Sang Merah Putih dengan bangga dan rayakan semangat, kehangatan, serta kebersamaan yang menjadikan Indonesia begitu istimewa. Rakyat Indonesia memiliki hati yang besar dan semangat yang tak tergoyahkan.

Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩

Merdeka! @nihi are proud to call Indonesia home. From Sumba, we stand together to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.

Today, we fly the red and white flag high and celebrate the warmth, spirit and togetherness that make this country so extraordinary. The people of Indonesia have huge hearts and an unbreakable spirit.

Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! 🇮🇩

#HariMerdeka #Indonesia #NIHISumba

331249
Open post by nihi with ID 18010887380946831
Merdeka! 🇮🇩@nihi bangga menyebut Indonesia sebagai rumah kami. Dari Sumba, kami berdiri bersama untuk merayakan Hari Kemerdekaan Republik Indonesia yang ke-81.Mari kibarkan Sang Merah Putih dengan bangga dan rayakan semangat, kehangatan, serta kebersamaan yang menjadikan Indonesia begitu istimewa. Rakyat Indonesia memiliki hati yang besar dan semangat yang tak tergoyahkan.Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan, Indonesia! 🇮🇩Merdeka! @nihi are proud to call Indonesia home. From Sumba, we stand together to celebrate Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day.Today, we fly the red and white flag high and celebrate the warmth, spirit and togetherness that make this country so extraordinary. The people of Indonesia have huge hearts and an unbreakable spirit.Happy Independence Day, Indonesia! 🇮🇩#HariMerdeka #Indonesia #NIHISumba

Some places live up to the dream. NIHI Sumba is the kind of dream you don’t want to wake up from.

Come and see what everyone’s dreaming about.

349277
Open post by nihi with ID 18113141347770297
Some places live up to the dream. NIHI Sumba is the kind of dream you don’t want to wake up from.Come and see what everyone’s dreaming about.

No trending audio. No soundtrack needed.

Just the rhythm of Sumba. The ocean, the horses, the wind through the palms and the sounds that make this place feel like nowhere else.

487867
Open post by nihi with ID 17955960701996902
No trending audio. No soundtrack needed.Just the rhythm of Sumba. The ocean, the horses, the wind through the palms and the sounds that make this place feel like nowhere else.

After an unforgettable first Healing with Horses retreat on the Edge of Wildness, we’re delighted to announce that Candice Webster will return to NIHI Sumba in 2027.

Our inaugural retreat brought together the extraordinary energy of Sumba, our Sandalwood horses and Candice’s intuitive approach to equine healing for five deeply transformative days of connection, renewal and discovery.

In 2027, we return to the herd for two intimate retreats:

1–6 June 2027
8–13 June 2027

Spaces are limited. Each retreat offers the opportunity to slow down, reconnect and experience the profound relationship between horses, nature and self.

Full details and enquires are available via the retreat page, linked in our bio.

4511141
Open post by nihi with ID 18136851688594839
After an unforgettable first Healing with Horses retreat on the Edge of Wildness, we’re delighted to announce that Candice Webster will return to NIHI Sumba in 2027.Our inaugural retreat brought together the extraordinary energy of Sumba, our Sandalwood horses and Candice’s intuitive approach to equine healing for five deeply transformative days of connection, renewal and discovery.In 2027, we return to the herd for two intimate retreats:1–6 June 20278–13 June 2027Spaces are limited. Each retreat offers the opportunity to slow down, reconnect and experience the profound relationship between horses, nature and self.Full details and enquires are available via the retreat page, linked in our bio.

A true @nihi journey that has only just begun.

Cherish is a graduate from the Rote Hospitality Academy. Today, he is proudly part of the team at @nihirote, welcoming guests from around the world and sharing the beauty, culture and stories of the island he calls home.

@rote_hospitality_academy is proud to help create opportunities for Rote’s next generation, providing the skills and pathways to build their futures on the island.

123340
Open post by nihi with ID 17961558492158795
A true @nihi journey that has only just begun.Cherish is a graduate from the Rote Hospitality Academy. Today, he is proudly part of the team at @nihirote, welcoming guests from around the world and sharing the beauty, culture and stories of the island he calls home.@rote_hospitality_academy is proud to help create opportunities for Rote’s next generation, providing the skills and pathways to build their futures on the island.

Where culture runs deep and nature remains wild.

From ancient traditions and the enduring bond between the Sumbanese people and their horses, to untouched coastlines, rolling hills and endless horizons, Sumba is a place shaped by both its people and the land they call home.

At NIHI, every journey is a chance to experience the island as it has been for generations: raw, beautiful and deeply connected to its roots.
.
#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_

148842
Open post by nihi with ID 17905212579530811
Where culture runs deep and nature remains wild.From ancient traditions and the enduring bond between the Sumbanese people and their horses, to untouched coastlines, rolling hills and endless horizons, Sumba is a place shaped by both its people and the land they call home.At NIHI, every journey is a chance to experience the island as it has been for generations: raw, beautiful and deeply connected to its roots..#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_

Mornings to dream about.

Wake to the sound of rolling waves, swaying palms, and birdsong as the island slowly comes to life. Here, peace isn’t something you have to search for, it’s all around you. In the quiet, away from the everyday, you’ll find space to reconnect with nature, with the moment, and with yourself.

The simplest mornings often leave the greatest impression.

670295
Open post by nihi with ID 17992317710823307
Mornings to dream about.Wake to the sound of rolling waves, swaying palms, and birdsong as the island slowly comes to life. Here, peace isn’t something you have to search for, it’s all around you. In the quiet, away from the everyday, you’ll find space to reconnect with nature, with the moment, and with yourself.The simplest mornings often leave the greatest impression.

Instagram Logo Follow us on Instagram @nihi

+