Nanga Sumpa Lodge, Batang Ai

Far removed from the familiar trappings of civilisation, Nanga Sumpa Lodge sits deep within Sarawak’s lush rainforest. Here, you’ll enjoy a truly exceptional nature and cultural experience, where even mobile signals yield to the tranquil, untouched wilds of the jungle.

Nanga Sumpa Lodge was established in 1987 as part of the Ulu Ai project, when the local tour operator Borneo Adventure sought to offer an alternative to standard cultural tourism. The aim was to encourage genuine encounters between guests and the local community, with respect, cooperation, and volunteering as guiding principles.

From the outset, there’s been a close partnership with the local Iban tribe. Together, they’ve created their own interpretation of sustainable village tourism, where visitors experience the culture and everyday life of the tribe on its own terms. For this reason, Nanga Sumpa Lodge was built on the riverbank opposite the Iban tribe’s traditional longhouse.

At Nanga Sumpa Lodge, you’ll stay in the heart of the jungle—surrounded by comfort, yet enveloped by authentic and simple surroundings. The rooms offer privacy and all necessary amenities. Meals are prepared with local ingredients, while the veranda is shared and the atmosphere is defined by the sights and sounds of the rainforest, as well as the heartfelt hospitality of the tribe. Many of the lodge’s services are coordinated by the Iban community, and profits are shared between them and Borneo Adventure.

The partnership has now lasted for more than 35 years and is among the longest-standing collaborations between a tour operator and a local community in Malaysia. For many families, it has resulted in marked improvements in living standards, health, and education. In addition, a foundation provides interest-free loans for things like longboat engines and supports families in cases of illness or with schooling. The projects also include improvements to sanitation, roads, and communal facilities.

Nanga Sumpa Lodge and the Ulu Ai project are aligned with several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (find out more here), with each visit making a direct contribution to the community’s economy, development, and conservation of nature. In return, as a guest, you’ll have the unique opportunity to experience the local wildlife, culture, and everyday life up close, immersing yourself in the true reality of rainforest living – all while knowing that you are making a difference. The project also prevents local authorities from allowing logging in the area, which is a positive contribution to the rainforest’s flora and fauna.