We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you learn more about Sumba Island and NIHI Sumba.
TRAVEL
Yes, we highly recommend you obtaining travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage. Please note that evacuation from Sumba to a Singapore hospital will cost upwards of US $40,000.
Casual beach wear is best for the day:
- T-shirts,
- Loose lightweight long or short sleeve shirts
- Lightweight shorts or pants.
- Sarong, hat and sandals are ideal;
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes are also recommended.
For the evening:
- Loose lightweight long or short sleeve shirts
- Lightweight shorts or pants.
- Lightweight sweatshirt
Please don’t forget to bring your cameras and laptop with extra flash drives for photos.
AT THE RESORT
We do have an ATM at the resort for the convenience of our guests, however there are no money changing facilities on the island.
If you plan to buy handicrafts at villages then please exchange your currency in Bali before arriving at NIHI.
Credit cards can be used during checkout at NIHI for things such as bar, shop and activities; however, we are not able to provide cash advances on your card.
We provide repellent for all our guests and mosquito nets are also available in every room.
If you want to bring some with you then any repellent with “DEET” will be good enough, a spray on or roll on type is recommended.
Please note that we also fog the property several times per week to keep bugs at a minimum.
We offer complimentary daily laundry service.
We operate generators 24 hours daily. Our power is 220v. The standard plug sockets in your room are for two round pins and we have provided a universal plug in every room for your convenience.
YES.
NIHI has installed reliable satellite Internet that is accessible with Wi-Fi throughout the resort, including in your room.
We also have a GSM tower that repeats the island’s cell signal, and rebroadcasts it for the resort.
This allows you to make and receive calls.
A 10% service charge is added to your bill.
Additional tipping is not required but, of course, certainly appreciated.
YES.
We have our small “Mamole” boutique that offers jewelry, surf wear, beachwear, Sumba Foundation products and basic toiletries.
There is also our staff market stocked with Sumba Ikat textiles brought in from the local villages by our staff.
You will be able to find handicrafts of varying quality in some of the villages.
There is air conditioning in all guest accommodation.
YES.
We do have babysitters available. We would need several days advance notice to make the arrangements.
We do offer supervision for children and toddlers. We are most comfortable if infants are able to eat solid foods and are able to be away from a parent for more than just a few hours. Please remember that we are in a remote location and that a majority of our staff are loving, loyal local Sumbanese for whom English is limited.
The old adage, “It takes a village,” certainly applies to Sumba’s culture, so child rearing comes naturally to our native friends.
As our resort grows, so have our resources to access and training. We have on site translation so that our nannies are able follow instructions well, and they are expected to be able to swim, should children want to splash around in the water. We have a full-time paramedic on the premises 24 hours a day, and swift communication for emergencies. For parents who want a quiet dinner, or to enjoy any of our wonderful daytime excursions, please be reassured that friendly, professional childcare is available.
However, presently, if you are looking for highly qualified caregivers with first aid credentials, we recommend keeping your little ones in your company.
At our staff housing facility (Guru Village) or as an extra person in the same villa where the guest is staying if there is space available.
The price will be US$250.00++.
HEALTH
YES.
On-site, we are working with International SOS to assure your wellbeing and safety. International SOS provides immediate phone access to medical doctors with extensive experience, coupled with a good knowledge of the local environment and healthcare system.
They have the full ability to respond to most health issues. International SOS has stationed a permanent paramedic on-site with equipment necessary for emergency first response.
For further extensive treatments, the next hospital is 30 minutes away in Waikabubak (district capital).
Depending on the guest’s insurance and requirements we help to facilitate medical evacuations from Tambolaka Airport (70 minutes’ drive with ambulance) to Bali or Singapore.
We suggest you bring antacid pills, a course of antibiotics, special antibiotics for skin infections, hydrogen peroxide, antiseptic cream or powder, waterproof bandages, and a personal first aid kit if you have one.
If you have medical evacuation coverage a medivac plane can take you from Sumba to Singapore, which has the best medical care in the region. We cannot be held responsible for any medical emergency evacuation costs. If you do not have an evacuation policy, expect to pay US$40,000.00 just for the evacuation flight, that’s not including hospital or other costs incurred.
There is a local hospital in Waikabubak, a 40-minute drive away from the resort, with a limited facility.
Malaria is common in most of Indonesia, and Sumba is no exception. We take malaria seriously at NIHI® by regularly fogging the resort and the surrounding area. The rooms have mosquito nets and are sprayed daily by our housekeeping staff. If you are concerned, we recommend that you wear a light and loose long sleeved shirt at night with similar long pants and use insect repellent.
We are often asked about Malaria precautions prior to travel in Indonesia. Our ability to control Malaria on the island continues to expand through the efforts of The Sumba Foundation, with clinics and education.
Mosquitos are more prevalent during the rainy season than during the dry season.
At NIHI Sumba, our year-round ULV fogging is very effective against mosquito nuisance, and we offer repellents all over the property. We recommend wearing a light and loose long sleeved shirt and similar pants at night. Our rooms have mosquito nets and are safely sprayed daily by our housekeeping staff. For further peace of mind, please consult your physician about Malaria medication in advance.
Dr. Claus Bogh, Health Program Director for The Sumba Foundation, recommends two types of malaria prophylaxis:
MALARONE
One tablet a day for adults, starting two days before departure and continuing for seven days after you return home. There is a pediatric version for children, please ask your family physician.
Side effects: Sometimes vivid dreams and blisters on the tongue may occur if taken for more than 3 weeks.
This is by far the most common malaria prevention recommended in the States and EU.
DOXYCYCLINE
100 mg per day for adults, starting two days before departure and until 3 weeks after arriving home.
Pediatric dose: Safe for children above 8 years of age. Please ask your family physician as it depends on the child’s weight.
Side effects: Sun sensitivity and stomach pain may occur.
This drug is less expensive and has the benefit of protecting against some bacterial infections such as salmonella and campylobacter (stomach infections).
We are committed to ensuring you the most comfortable stay possible, so please let us know if you are interested in learning more about Malaria.
Guests have no reason to worry about Zika at NIHI. We have not experienced cases of Zika in Sumba and have precautionary measures in place at NIHI to control mosquitos in general. It is important to note that there are two main types of Zika: a very benign form that gives no symptoms or problems in pregnancy and has been around since the 1970s, also in Indonesia.
Then there is a new form of Zika that appeared about two years ago that has caused problems in the Americas and has been spreading, but with very few cases in Southeast Asia. The new ULV misting at NIHI has been very effective against mosquito nuisance, and we offer repellents all over the property for guests to use day and night. We are committed to ensuring you the most comfortable stay possible, so please let us know if you are interested in learning more about Zika for your own peace of mind.
CULTURAL
Very interesting!
This is a primitive culture that only stopped headhunting 50 years ago. It is also one of the last practicing animistic cultures in the world.
Sumba is famous for its culture and many documentaries have been filmed here.
We are proud members of Pack for a Purpose, an initiative that allows travellers like you to make a lasting impact in the community at your travel destination.
If you save just a few kilos of space in your suitcase and bring supplies for area schools or medical clinics in need, you’ll make a priceless impact in the lives of our local children and families.
Please click here to see what supplies are needed for our project.
During the months of February and March the “Pasola” ceremonies take place nearby NIHI Sumba Island.
Traditional boxing ceremonies are held from August through to January.
In July, there is a one-week horse racing event that draws horses and riders from all over Indonesia.
Throughout the year there are funeral and wedding ceremonies taking place that our guests are sometimes invited to attend.
Please do not bring anything except goodwill to the villages. If you really want to help the local people you can buy some handicrafts when visiting the villages, or make a contribution to the many Sumba Foundation projects that benefit the local communities.
No. The religious beliefs and traditions of the Sumbanese are very important to the order of their society. We would encourage you to respect their faiths.
There are exceptional baskets, Sumba Ikat weavings, sarongs and traditional knives that can be bargained for and purchased directly from the villagers.
Appropriate attire would be a shirt or T-shirt that covers the shoulders with shorts or a sarong.
EXPERIENCES
We do host many family groups with children and we have become adept at taking care of them while the parents are relaxing or taking part in activities.
The activities suitable for children, depending on age and ability, include soccer, volleyball, snorkelling, boating, fishing, visiting villages, hiking to the waterfall, mountain biking, exploring the reefs on low tides and collecting fossils and shells.
For younger children we have a nice child-friendly swimming pool and board games.
We also have painting and drawing supplies, as well as beach toys.
Yes, we can tailor-make an activity itinerary according to your interests.
We do have top-quality gear – Shimano rods, Okuma and Penn International reels – but if you are coming to do some serious fishing you should bring your favorite rod and reel.
Many guests also bring their own lures, but often they are not suitable for the conditions at NIHI Sumba.
We do not have fly-fishing equipment, so if that is your passion please bring your own with you.
All you need is long pants, and a pair of sports shoes and socks: (we do have riding boots however bring your sports shoes just in case we don’t have your size).
You will be riding quality well cared for Sumba / Australian Thoroughbred cross horses in English saddles.
All levels of experience are catered for.
We have boogie boards and snorkeling equipment you can use free of charge.
We would recommend wax, extra heavy-duty leashes, booties, rash shirts, a surf cap, serious sunscreen, first aid kit, extra fins, and a travel-sized ding repair kit.
NIHI Sumba beach has the best break, and there are others not so far away.
You may want to consider a boat charter to cruise the coast and search for waves that are out there to be found.
The best months for surf explorations are March to the end of April, and September through to November when the trade winds are low.
Nihigram
There’s a magic that lives on the edge of the wildness. At @nihi, it’s in the sea breeze on your skin, the endless pull of the horizon, and the thunder of horses running free along the shore. NIHI Sumba isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling of deep calm, connection, and escape.
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#nihigram by @tomkellyslack
Today was Pasola Gaura in Sumba. Once a year, the island’s ancient traditions come vividly to life as villages gather for Pasola, one of Sumba’s most powerful and sacred rituals. From @nihi, guests have the rare opportunity to witness this extraordinary cultural event.
Riders charge across the field on horseback, hurling wooden spears in a dramatic contest between rival villages. The spectacle is intense, fast paced, and deeply symbolic.
For the Sumbanese, Pasola is far more than competition. It is believed that when blood touches the earth during the battle, it blesses the land and ensures a prosperous rice harvest for the season ahead.
A tradition centuries old, Pasola remains one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in Indonesia.
Ocean views from another perspective bring a serene sense of majesty to the Edge of Wildness. Waves roll onto the shore, smoothing the sand as @nihi’s herd of horses meander gracefully against a backdrop of swaying palms. These are the picturesque moments in Sumba that leave you mesmerized by its untouched beauty.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Early mornings on Sumba carry a quiet kind of magic. Before the island wakes, the ocean is calm, the surf rolls in slow rhythm.
Surfers paddle out to greet the first light while along the shoreline, @nihi’s beloved horses wander freely, enjoying the cool sand beneath their hooves before breaking into a gallop along the 2.5km stretch of wild coastline.
In these still moments, with only the sound of waves and hooves on sand, the spirit of the Edge of Wildness truly comes alive.
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#nihigram by @mahaloxp @lauraalexandraam
WIN a 3 night stay at NIHI Sumba to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse.
One lucky winner and their guest will experience life on the Edge of Wildness, where horses roam the shoreline, mornings begin with the ocean, and every day feels a little untamed.
To enter:
• Follow @nihi
• Tag 2 friends in the comments
• Share this post to your story
Each comment counts as an additional entry.
Your escape to Sumba could be closer than you think. Closes 23:59 [GMT+8] on 30th April 2026. Full T&Cs available via the link in our bio.
Nothing can quite explain @nihi’s Spa Safari - a wellness journey like no other.
Five kilometres from the resort, the experience begins long before the first treatment. Travel by trek, horseback, or safari vehicle through villages and rolling hills until the landscape opens to a spa hidden between rice fields and the ocean.
Set across 100 acres of Nihioka, this is wellness shaped by nature. Design your own experience with open-air treatments that unfold across hours, carried by ocean breezes and guided by skilled hands. Open-fire meals, hidden coves, equine connections, and even a private villa stay are all part of the magic awaiting at NIHI Spa.
Swipe to follow the story, one page at a time.
Listen to the soothing waves and behold the majesty of our horses run as you reconnect with yourself and the natural world at @nihi. Breathe in the serenity of a place where nature remains untamed with an inspiring yoga session on our oceanfront pavilion. Here you’re not just embracing moments of tranquil beauty, you’re letting your spirit roam wild and free.
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#nihigram by @elinwarn
Feel the ocean breeze as it filters through the palm trees and hoofprints are left along the shoreline. At @nihi, your days unfold with our herd never far from view. Whether they’re wandering past as you’re dining at Nio Beach Club or taking a dip in our infinity pool, you don’t need to go searching for the magic here. It finds you.
Waking up at @nihi in the Year of the Fire Horse and seeing horses wander past your window and into your villa’s large private garden isn’t an everyday occurrence. It`s a sign. A reminder that unexpected moments are always possible, especially here. This is the kind of quiet magic that simply happens at NIHI Sumba and there is no better place to welcome the year ahead than on Sumba where horses are part of the island’s soul.
One of the most rewarding and heartfelt experiences at NIHI Sumba is visiting a local school with the Sumba Foundation tour. Through the tireless work of the @sumbafoundation, supported by @nihi, education, along with access to clean water and dedicated malaria clinics, has transformed daily life across the island.
Sitting in a classroom surrounded by eager students is a powerful reminder of why this work matters, and of the future it helps shape. Through school lunches, essential supplies, health and hygiene programs, English and computer classes, and scholarships, the foundation is opening doors that once felt out of reach.
As communities grow healthier, children are able to dream bigger and smile wider, and Sumba continues to prosper while preserving the traditions that make it so unique.
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