Nihi Sumba: On the Edge of the Wilderness in Bali

Introduction
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When you arrive on Sumba from the hustle and bustle of Bali you realize you have stepped back in time to a nature lovers paradise, an untouched island with a sense of remoteness that is now a days hard to find. Sumba has one traffic light, several stunning waterfalls, blue lagoons, empty beaches, and lush valleys. The biggest surprise is its intact castes society and ancient animist religion that uses megalithic burial sites for funerals with expensive animal sacrifices. In case you ever wondered about the tall conical thatched roofs you encounter while visiting the local villages; they are meant to provide a space for ancestral spirits to reside in them. Nihi Sumba is a wonderful home to explore Sumba from.  Bring good insect repellent and a sense of adventure and even back home you will still feel the pull from Sumba in your heart.

Open-top Land Rovers are used for transfers and excursions on the island. Photo by Nihi Sumba

​Location
Nihi Sumba formerly known as Nihiwatu resort is situated at the 1.6-mile-long pristine tropical Nihiwatu beach with a world-famous surfing break. The resort sits on 567 acres of tropical forest, rice paddies and grassland of which only 65 acres are (and can ever be) developed, you really can’t get any closer to unspoiled nature.

​Accommodations
Nihi Sumba has only 30 unique rustic-lux villas spread out on a hillside, all with breathtaking views of the Indian Ocean and ocean breezes. Each villa has the characteristic sumbanese conical thatched roof, minibar, Nihi Sumba natural toiletries, tea and coffe making facilities, canopy beds, private gardens, outside dinning area and it’s own private pool. There are one and two bedroom Villas and three to five bedroom Estates all with their special individual charm. You may decide to stay in one of the Marangga villas right at the beach, with your own outdoor bale or you can choose a treehouse villa with an upstairs bedroom build in the style of a Subamnese house.  There is for sure the right villa for every family. 

Dining
Nihi Sumba’s gastronomical heart is the Ombak (meaning wave front) restaurant with sweeping ocean views and a sand-between-your-toe’s laid-back atmosphere. Ombak serves breakfast, and dinner and there are special dining experiences created at Ombak during the week such as an elaborate Indonesian buffet night or a spectacular BBQ.  Good to know for families; the kids menu is varied and also serves breakfast for dinner! The Ombak Bar provides a meeting point after dinner for guests and staff alike to share their adventures from the day.
Kaboku (Sumbanese for “Fish”) is the beachfront sushi bar limited to 6 people per seating for a seven-course menu of fresh caught seafood prepared Omakase style.
Lunch is either served at Nio Beach House or at the pool and everybody meets at the Boat House to watch the epic sunsets with a drink. Additionally, private bespoke dining experiences in remote and exotic spots can be arranged and room service is available from 6 am to 10 pm as well.

​Amenities
Nihu Sumba has everything you could wish for to make everyone in the family happy. Starting at the beach with water sports facilities, beach cinema, over the edge pool, spa, horse stables, yoga pavilion, gym room, pool and ping pong tables and last but not least a chocolate factory.

​Experiences
I was truly impressed by the variety of experiences offered and especially the thought that went into creating the kid’s activities.
You can easily spend the whole day at the pool or on your outdoor bale, however there is so much to explore and see and the decision of what to do is not an easy one. Nihi Sumba classifies its plethora of experiences as water, wellness, trekking, equestrian, cultural and kids experiences and you will find many different options to choose from in each of these categories. One of the experiences that stands out is Stand-Up Paddle boarding on the river and getting splashed by the local kids that jump into the water when they see you. Another great experience is horseback riding at sunrise or sunset, galloping along an empty beach.  My personal favorite was the Nihioka Spa Safari where you hike for 90 minutes to the Spa Pavilions through a local village and past splendid lookouts before you indulge in your breakfast and the spa services.

Three kids experiences are included per day and the items to choose from are fishing, kids pony club, kids yoga, visiting a local village-bringing along a soccer ball, weaving and basket making, Sumba bracelet making, releasing turtles, chocolate making, scavenger hunt, rock painting, cookie making and cup cake decorating and coconut beach games just to name a few!
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Getting There
Our adventure started at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar (DPS) with a 60 minutes flight to Sumba Island’s Tambolaka Airport (TMC). Luckily, our trip included the VIP service with an airport concierge who accompanied us to our gate before the flight. Upon arrival at Sumba airport we enjoyed a meet and greet at the gate followed by a transfer to the resort with an open-top Land Rover that provided an Africa meets Asia experience.  The 90 minute drive to the resort went by quickly, as you relish the fresh coconut milk in the car with freshly baked brownies.  We really enjoyed the drive through the Sumba villages waving back to smiling children.
Alternatively, you can also fly to Sumba island from Java connecting through Kupang.