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

Woman practicing mindful stretching atop a calm Sumba horse on Nihiwatu Beach at NIHI Sumba, during a Horse Yoga session designed to deepen body awareness and emotional balance in a serene coastal setting.
  • Wild Wellness

Horse Yoga

A smiling spa therapist at Nihioka Spa walks along a lush garden path, carrying a tray of essential oils for treatments, surrounded by tropical greenery and illuminated by warm afternoon light.
  • Wild Wellness

Nihioka Spa

Kids Pony Club, NIHI Sumba
  • Equine
  • Children

Kids Pony Club

Guests trail riding Sumbanese horses through rice fields and jungle paths near NIHI Sumba, surrounded by palm trees and local farmland during a guided equestrian excursion from Sandalwood Stables.
  • Equine

Horse Trail Riding

Free Dive Sumba
  • Wild Wellness

Mindfulness

Aerial view of Yaro Wora Village, featuring traditional peaked thatched-roof houses near the coastline, overlooking the Indian Ocean.
  • Land
  • Cultural

Lamboya Highland Trek

Surfari Hero
  • Ocean

Surfari

Rice Island Trekking Hero
  • Land
  • Cultural

Rice Island Trekking

NIHI Sumba guide gazing up at towering palm trees upon arriving at Nihioka Spa after completing a scenic trek.
  • Wild Wellness

Active Wellness

Guests on horseback riding along the shore at sunset during a festive Easter celebration on Nihiwatu’s 2.5 km beach, with giant colorful eggs nestled in the sand beneath swaying palms and golden skies.
  • Equine

Beach Horse Ride

Nihigram

AI could never replace this.

Quite literally one of the most beautiful sights on earth. A herd of horses running free, as nature intended, along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach.

The thunder of hooves against the sand, manes flying in the wind and the sheer beauty of watching them gallop together against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.

Some moments are simply too beautiful to recreate. 🤎
.
#nihigram by @fpvdylan

6536206
Open post by nihi with ID 17936481000394815
AI could never replace this.Quite literally one of the most beautiful sights on earth. A herd of horses running free, as nature intended, along the shores of Nihiwatu Beach.The thunder of hooves against the sand, manes flying in the wind and the sheer beauty of watching them gallop together against the backdrop of the Indian Ocean.Some moments are simply too beautiful to recreate. 🤎.#nihigram by @fpvdylan

Introducing Raja Puncak, NIHI’s spectacular brand new three bedroom villa.

Our newest villa sits at the highest point of the resort, with sweeping views over Nihiwatu Beach and the wild landscapes of Sumba.

An endless infinity pool, private check-in and cocktails at sunset create an extraordinary setting to experience the raw, wild beauty of Sumba from above.

A new icon at NIHI. This is Raja Puncak.

90446
Open post by nihi with ID 18130764901784288
Introducing Raja Puncak, NIHI’s spectacular brand new three bedroom villa.Our newest villa sits at the highest point of the resort, with sweeping views over Nihiwatu Beach and the wild landscapes of Sumba.An endless infinity pool, private check-in and cocktails at sunset create an extraordinary setting to experience the raw, wild beauty of Sumba from above.A new icon at NIHI. This is Raja Puncak.

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.

222129
Open post by nihi with ID 18105896987243136
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.

357673
Open post by nihi with ID 18092781047652825
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.

71614
Open post by nihi with ID 18028737176686458
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.

12762207
Open post by nihi with ID 18021780758916733
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.

8603262
Open post by nihi with ID 18354824485170239
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.

18263353
Open post by nihi with ID 17941383156093343
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.
.
We are proud to be one of only three hotels in Indonesia to receive this prestigious accolade.
.
Our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team for their dedication, passion, and spirit.

11125657
Open post by nihi with ID 18115447600772480
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..We are proud to be one of only three hotels in Indonesia to receive this prestigious accolade..Our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team for their dedication, passion, and spirit.

Instagram Logo Follow us on Instagram @nihi

+