The Edge of Wildness

by Chris Burch

Where the World Still Feels Untouched

This is not simply an escape. It’s a return to life as it was meant to be. The journey to the Edge of Wildness is where untamed luxury meets boundless freedom. Just a short flight from Bali’s busy shores, Sumba Island, twice its size yet with a fraction of its visitors, remains one of the world’s last untouched sanctuaries.

Guided by the vision of entrepreneur and philanthropist Chris Burch, NIHI was imagined as more than a resort: a place where adventure, family values, and purposeful impact exist alongside extraordinary hospitality.

Here, raw beauty and ancient culture shape journeys that stay with you long after you leave.

The Villas

From luxurious honeymoon retreats and a one-of-a-kind treehouse, to expansive family estates — each villa at NIHI Sumba is a private sanctuary with soul and character.

Private plunge pool at Kasambi Villa, surrounded by tropical gardens and overlooking the ocean at NIHI® Sumba.

Mandaka Surf Villa at NIHI Sumba, showcasing a private plunge pool with direct access to the boathouse, framed by tropical greenery. A shaded bale with comfortable seating offers ocean views, while vibrant white flowers and lush plants surround the serene outdoor space, providing an idyllic hideaway under the trees.

Aerial view of Marangga Occy’s Villa at NIHI Sumba, showcasing the villa’s private plunge pool, outdoor dining area, and lush tropical gardens leading directly to the secluded white-sand Nihiwatu Beach and turquoise sea.

Scenic soaking tub filled with flower petals at Putri Kasambi, a two-bedroom villa within NIHI Sumba’s Kasambi Estate, set before floor-to-ceiling glass doors overlooking the serene coastline and lush hills of Sumba.

Aerial view of Putri Lantoro Villa at NIHI Sumba, featuring thatched-roof twin-bedroom suites, shaded lounge decks, and a spacious private swimming pool with a guest enjoying a swim, all set against tropical gardens and ocean-facing terraces.

Putri Wamoro Jungle villa offers absolute peace, dramatic views, and a private outdoor deck with a plunge swimming pool surrounded by lush jungle.

Mamole Treehouse at NIHI® Sumba, a bamboo villa with open-air lounge spaces surrounding a private pool illuminated by lanterns and a fire pit, nestled in a lush forest setting.

Lulu Amahu Villa’s private pool, with picturesque ocean views in the background at NIHI Sumba.

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Offers & Packages

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Offer & Package

A Romantic Escape

Offer & Package

Equine Experience Package

Offer & Package

Closer to the Wildness

Rascal Voyages luxury yacht cruising through turquoise waters surrounded by lush green tropical islands in Indonesia.

Offer & Package

Ultimate Indonesian Adventure

Manors at Capella Singapore, a tranquil sanctuary nestled amid the verdant grounds of Sentosa island

Offer & Package

Asia’s Luxe Adventure

Aerial view of the pool at The Legian Seminyak, Bali—NIHI’s partner property—featuring a luxury beachfront setting with swaying palm trees, golden sands, and turquoise waters along Legian Beach.

Offer & Package

The Best of Both Islands

Aerial view of a luxury tented retreat at Capella Ubud, Bali—one of NIHI’s partner properties—featuring a private saltwater pool surrounded by dense rainforest, offering an immersive jungle experience.

Offer & Package

Awaken To Magic

Aerial view of Raja Mandaka, Chris Burch’s private villa at NIHI Sumba, overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean and the resort’s 2.5 km stretch of white sand beach, surrounded by lush tropical greenery

Offer & Package

The Great Escape

Putri Kasambi Villa featuring an elegant bedroom with ocean views, blending tropical luxury and serene comfort.

Offer & Package

The NIHI Passage

Offer & Package

The Art of Escape

How to Get Here?

To embark on the journey to NIHI Sumba—where untamed nature meets luxurious escape—you’ll start from Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), and take one of the three daily flights to Tambolaka (TMC) on Sumba Island.

The Experiences

Fishing & Spearfishing

Whether casting a line from above or diving below the surface, these waters promise a…

Ocean

Swimming With Horses

A truly iconic experience at NIHI Sumba, one deeply rooted in island tradition.

Equine
Ocean
Children

Kids Pony Club

Introduce your child to the joys of caring for and riding a horse at NIHI…

Equine
Resort
Children

Surfari

For those drawn to the thrill of discovery, our Surfari experience invites you to explore…

Ocean

Children Horse Riding Lesson

Give your child the experience of connecting with the calming energy and wild spirit of…

Equine
Resort
Children

Stand-up Paddle Board

An easygoing ocean experience that blends serenity with a touch of adventure.

Ocean

Gym

At NIHI Sumba, our Health Studio at Menara Gardens is designed as a space to…

Resort

Horse Yoga

A truly unique experience of connection awaits at NIHI’s Sandalwood Stables.

Equine
Resort

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.

Hikes & Treks

Rooted in longevity, mobility, and mindful movement, our hiking and trekking experiences…

Land

A female trekker explores the dense tropical forest on the Blue Waterfall Trek in Manupeu Tanah Daru National Park, surrounded by towering trees and lush jungle foliage.

English Class

A heartwarming volunteer effort from the Sumba Foundation®.

Cultural

Chris Burch, during one of his regular visits to the community and Burch Family Foundation projects, is joyfully welcomed by a large group of enthusiastic Sumbanese students during an English class at the Learning Development Center, supported by NIHI Sumba.

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Press & Awards

Across the last 20 years, NIHI Sumba stands alone as the only hotel to be crowned Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Hotel in two consecutive years. In 2024, we were named Indonesia’s Best Hotel by Condé Nast Traveler and ranked #10 by The World’s 50 Best Hotels. In 2025, we proudly won the inaugural Forbes Travel Edge List, embodying the Edge of Wildness.