A School. A Foundation. A Hotel.
When Inge De Lathauwer first set foot on Sumba in 2013, she was overwhelmed by the natural beauty and authenticity of the island, yet deeply affected by bearing witness to the poor living conditions of the local people. Due to its pristine beaches and vibrant culture, Sumba was poised for a surge in tourism development, with the potential to create an influx of indispensable job opportunities. While an exciting prospect, many Sumbanese youth did not have access to the relevant education and training required to occupy such positions. Thus, the initial seed was planted for Inge’s hospitality school and foundation, which has since flourished into a beautiful reality.
The Sumba Hotel School opened on July 1st, 2016 and, in the years following, has experienced extraordinary growth and transformation. What once was an arid landscape is now abundant with life; the farm and gardens are blossoming with fruit, vegetables, and medicinal herbs, making delicious ingredients for the meals served within the bar and restaurant. Additionally, the implementation of a solar panel farm and water treatment system allows the school to be self-sufficient. Thus, presenting the campus as a model of conservation and green energy throughout the island.
7+
YEARS OF EXISTENCE
410+
SCHOOL ALUMNI
50+
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES
72
STUDENTS SELECTED YEARLY
10,200+
HOURS OF TEACHER FACILITATED TRAINING
95%
POS-GRADUATION EMPLOYMENT RATE
Overview
Since its opening in 2016, the Sumba Hospitality Foundation (SHF) has yearly offered 72 Sumbanese youth from socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds vocational hospitality training.
The program includes full-board accommodation, medical care, 2-week cross-training at NIHI Sumba, internships and all associated transportation and living costs.
In addition to high-quality hospitality and English classes from industry experts, students receive practical training in one of the Foundation’s social projects: Maringi, a small resort with 5-star service, and Makan Dulu, a unique restaurant specializing in Indonesian cuisine.
With NIHI
We are delighted that NIHI Sumba has welcomed our students as employees from the very beginning and you well surely encounter many alumni during your stay here.
Responsible tourism has been at the heart of the Foundation from the very beginning.
Our buildings were designed with sustainability in mind, constructed mainly from bamboo, powered by our 288 solar panels and 80% of our waste water reused for irrigation purposes. What was once a dry landscape with only one tree is now rich with life.
The 3-hectare permaculture garden thrives with fruit, vegetables and medicinal herbs, which the students turn into delicious meals served in the bar and restaurant.
Sustainability is also at the heart of our vocational training program, which trains the next generation to become responsible representatives of tourism.
We are more than happy to show you around. Located just 20 minutes from Tambolaka Airport, the Foundation is the perfect place to end your visit to Sumba in a meaningful way.
Our students will give you an interactive tour of the campus, after which you can enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by them at Maringi restaurant.
Cutting it short with time? Try Indonesian food with a Sumbanese twist at our training restaurant Makan Dulu, just a 5-minute drive from the airport.
We are sure that their heart-warming welcome will make a lasting impact on you.
At SHF, dreams come true and your donations make that possible.
You can sponsor a student throughout their life- changing journey by donating $5000. This covers all the expenses for school supplies, medical care, full-board accommodation and a 6-month internship.
The impact of a single donation lasts a lifetime.
Want to be part of our students’ journey?
Your contribution matters
Nihigram
A land where the spirit of generations lives on, where the connection between people, nature and their ancestors runs deep, and where traditions are not simply remembered, but lived every day.
Children ride their ponies along wild beaches in traditional dress, villages are filled with life, and a deep sense of community is woven into the very soul of the island.
Nestled within this extraordinary landscape is NIHI Sumba, a paradise of beautiful private villas, unforgettable spa experiences and moments of pure tranquillity, surrounded by the raw, untamed beauty of the island. Beyond the resort, village life and centuries-old traditions are never far away, offering a meaningful connection to the people and culture that make Sumba so special.
It is this extraordinary connection between land, people and tradition that makes Sumba a place unlike anywhere else on earth.
And when you finally arrive, it’s even more beautiful than you imagined. 🧡
One of the programmes closest to our hearts is the Sumba Horse Project. 🧡
For more than two years, NIHI has been providing free veterinary care to horses in local villages across Sumba, holding weekly clinics and returning to each village approximately every three months to provide ongoing care and repeat essential treatments.
Facilitated by our dedicated NIHI Stables team alongside our veterinarian, Dr. Octa, these clinics provide essential medical treatment, health checks, deworming and advice on animal welfare. Many local horse owners walk for miles to attend, with care also extending to local dogs.
Horses are deeply woven into Sumba’s culture and heritage, and through this project, we hope to protect these beautiful animals and make a lasting difference to the communities who care for them.
Learn more about the Sumba Horse Project and how you can support this important work through the link in our bio.
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
A wellness experience unlike any other awaits at Nihioka Spa.
Five kilometres from NIHI Sumba, beyond traditional villages and rolling green hills, lies a secluded sanctuary where rice fields meet the Indian Ocean.
Your Half Day Spa Safari begins with breakfast or lunch overlooking the ocean, before retreating to your private open air bale for 2.5 hours of treatments.
Between treatments, discover hidden beaches, unwind beside the freshwater infinity pool, or simply take in the beauty of Nihioka’s untouched coastline.
More than a spa experience, this is an invitation to reconnect with nature, embrace stillness and discover wellness at the edge of wildness.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Mornings at NIHI Sumba can feel almost unreal. Mist rolling over the mountains, horses grazing nearby, and the sound of the ocean crashing in the distance. The kind of moments that make you never want to leave. 🤍
Mornings at Nio Beach Club, where the first dip of the day comes with sweeping views of Nihiwatu Beach.
With the sound of the waves, the warmth of the Sumba sunshine and the beach just footsteps away, there’s no better place to begin your day at NIHI Sumba.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
Raw, wild and beautifully untouched. Sunrise at NIHI Sumba, where local fishermen head out to sea as the first light of day breaks over the coastline.
As the sun sets, horses make their way along the beach, ridden by Sumbanese horsemen dressed in traditional ikat, a beautiful reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage.
These are the scenes that make Sumba so extraordinary, where centuries of tradition remain part of everyday life and the connection between the people, their horses and the land runs deep. 🤍
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#nihigram by @gedewahyuu_
Wake up to uninterrupted oceanfront views at Marangga Villa, dive into your private plunge pool and spend sun soaked afternoons with a glass of wine in hand, accompanied by the soothing sound of the ocean.
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#nihigram by @fpvdylan
The beauty of NIHI Sumba is found in moments like these.
The gentle ocean breeze, the sound of waves washing against the shore, and our horses peacefully enjoying their daily swim in the turquoise waters of Nihiwatu Beach.
Enjoy your morning swim at Nio Beach Club, surrounded by untouched nature, where the serenity of the island invites you to slow down and appreciate the magic of simply being here.
Netflix is great, but imagine playing a tennis match at NIHI Sumba.
Horses wandering nearby, the ocean breeze drifting across the court and the sound of waves crashing onto the shore.
Welcome to the Ride & Racquet Club, where even a game of tennis feels extraordinary.
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