Cultural

From Nihiwatu Beach, set out on horseback beyond NIHI and into the Sumbanese landscape, riding through palm-shaded jungle, rice fields and local villages.

Along the way, you may find yourself caught in a very Sumbanese kind of traffic jam as a local farmer guides his water buffalo towards the beach.

It is these unscripted encounters that make riding at NIHI Sumba so special, a journey shaped by the landscape, the people and the everyday rhythm of island life.

NIHI is a place that feels almost like a dream, surrounded by the raw beauty of the island, untouched nature, wild beaches and a culture that remains deeply rooted in tradition.

Days are spent watching horses along the shoreline, taking in dramatic landscapes and looking out across the Indian Ocean from the privacy of your own villa.

The kind of place that belongs on a bucket list. A journey worth travelling across the world for, and a dream you never quite want to wake up from.

Discover polo, the NIHI way. For a limited time, join Sebastian, a professional Argentinian polo player and coach, for an introduction to the game.

Whether you’re trying polo for the first time or looking to refine your swing, balance and horsemanship, Sebastian will guide you with the ocean as your backdrop.

Weight restrictions apply.

Some mornings feel as though they belong to another world.

Move with @nihi and @wearetpp to the sound of the ocean, looking out over Nihiwatu Beach as NIHI’s horses gallop along the shore.

Reformer Pilates, in a setting almost too beautiful to be real.

Today, we bid a heartfelt farewell to one of our original Sumba sea horses, Hanna.

Hanna was our very first healing horse, the one who showed us the way. She spent her days at Nihioka Spa Safari, living peacefully beneath the palm trees and grazing on the hillside.

Through her gentle nature and intuitive energy, she brought comfort, connection and healing to so many. She touched the lives of everyone who had the joy of meeting her. Today, her herd honoured her in the water with a final farewell.

Her spirit will forever run free along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach. Thank you, Hanna, for the healing, love and cherished memories. You will always be a treasured part of the NIHI herd.

Start your day with a friendly game of tennis at NIHI’s new Ride & Racquet Club. Listen to the sound of the ocean as you play, while horses wander freely past the court, a morning that could only happen at NIHI Sumba.

We are deeply honoured to share that NIHI Sumba has been awarded the prestigious Michelin Three Keys for the second year in a row, recognising NIHI as an extraordinary trip of a lifetime stay, the ultimate in comfort, service, style, and elegance.
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We are proud to be one of only three hotels in Indonesia to receive this prestigious accolade.
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Our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team for their dedication, passion, and spirit.

No, this is not AI. This is NIHI.

Here, horses are at the heart of the culture, carrying generations of tradition, ceremony and an enduring sense of freedom.

Across the island, local Sumbanese people bring their horses to the sea to bathe and swim. At NIHI, our horses also enter the ocean daily, swimming or simply standing in the shallows as the cool water washes over them.

One of the comments we receive most often is that these scenes must be AI. But no, everything you see on this page is real, authentic and unmistakably Sumba.
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