Homestead
Homestead
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A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
Stay with us in the Borneo rainforest
Stay with us in the Borneo rainforest
Ngapuh Homestead™
Ngapuh Homestead™
Ngapuh Homestead sits beside the river with the steep slopes of the Bungo Range National Park rising behind. It is a place for eco tourism and for gatherings with architects, designers and entrepreneurs who come for cultural exchange. Here, modern life meets traditional living.
What began as a humble idea to build a rest house has grown into a living project that supports the village and welcomes guests to rainforest life.
Eco Tourism
Community
Conservation
What to Expect
What to Expect
You sleep surrounded by forest sounds, cross traditional suspension bridges, hike to stunning waterfalls, hidden lagoons and cook the Bidayuh way using bamboo over an open fire. Life here is slow and grounded. Days unfold with the rhythms of land, far from the usual routes.
The homestead has 2 simple rooms. Each room sleeps up to 4 people on single floor mats and we can host up to 8 guests in total. Each room has its own private toilet and shower room. Your room private and is never shared with other groups.
Ngapuh Homestead is not just a place to stay. It is a community, a place to plant trees for the next generation. When you visit, you become part of the story, supporting the community.
Ngapuh Homestead is not just a place to stay. It is a community, a place to plant trees for the next generation. When you visit, you become part of the story, supporting the community.
About Ngapuh Homestead
About Ngapuh Homestead
Ngapuh Homestead is a community operated rainforest homestay and living project in rural Kuching.
It began as both a home and a place to welcome visitors, offering a way to experience life within a remote rainforest Bidayuh community while directly supporting local livelihoods and ongoing community initiatives.
The original idea was simple, to create an outpost in the rainforest, a resting place near traditional farming routes. Over time it has evolved into a living project where hospitality, traditional knowledge, sustainable building and community development sit side by side as one continuous practice.
The homestead was built over roughly one year in a location without road access. Every material, tool and supply had to be transported by boat and then carried by hand over long distances. That condition shaped the entire construction process and still influences how the place grows and adapts today.
Life here moves between modern and traditional rhythms. There is connection to the outside world through technology, yet daily life remains grounded in the rainforest and the surrounding community. Farming, cooking, building, maintenance and shared work form the structure of everyday living.
The homestay gives visitors a chance to slow down, move into the rhythm of the forest, and experience a way of life that is increasingly rare. Rather than passing through as tourists, guests become part of the place for a short time and gain insight into the culture and environment that shape it.
Income generated through visitors supports maintenance, community initiatives and future development. Through small scale responsible tourism, Ngapuh Homestead aims to support a future where rural communities can remain rooted in their land while strengthening cultural continuity and economic independence.
The Community
The Community
Ngapuh Homestead is rooted within a village community living where traditions, knowledge and relationships continue to shape everyday life.
For generations, people in this region have lived closely with the rainforest, developing practical skills and local knowledge that remain relevant today. Traditional building methods, farming practices, food preparation and craftsmanship all form part of the area's cultural heritage.
By welcoming visitors into an authentic ulu village environment, the project helps create opportunities for local participation while encouraging a deeper appreciation of rural life and culture. Guests have the opportunity to experience a slower pace of life, learn about local customs and gain a better understanding of the challenges and rewards of living in a remote rainforest setting.
As the homestead continues to develop, it seeks to create opportunities that benefit both residents and visitors while helping sustain the traditions and livelihoods that have shaped this landscape for generations.
Activities
Activities
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
Choose from our immersive activities
Choose from our immersive activities
Water Activities
Water Activities
DURATION couple of hours
START 7PM
LEVEL relaxed
After breakfast or in the afternoon after lunch, spend time at the river to swim, relax or enjoy one of the available river activities.
Choose between a non guided kayak journey through winding jungle waterways or drifting slowly along the river on a bamboo raft, depending on availability and river conditions. Both offer a quiet way to experience the landscape from the water.
Lagoon Hike
Lagoon Hike
DURATION few hours
START 9AM
LEVEL relaxed
Take a gentle guided walk along the Red River, passing foraging and hunting shelters before arriving at the handmade bridge and continuing through the river toward the Red River Lagoon. Along the way, you’ll likely spot pitcher plants growing beside the trail.
The walk moves at a relaxed pace and offers a quiet experience of the forest and river near the homestead.
River Fishing
River Fishing
DURATION couple of hours
START morning or afternoon
LEVEL relaxed
River fishing is a guided experience along the river, where you learn different local methods including hook fishing, fly fishing and net casting. You can choose a spot along the river, settle in and fish at a slow pace while being guided through technique.
Plant a Tree
Plant a Tree
DURATION an hour
START morning or afternoon
LEVEL relaxed
Tree planting is a simple hands on activity where you help support reforestation along the riverbanks. Plant a young sapling in the ground and take part in restoring the landscape.
It is a quiet, meaningful way to give something back to the land and leave a living mark for future generations.
Waterfall Excursion ✧ Recommended
Waterfall Excursion ✧ Recommended
DURATION half a day
START 9AM
LEVEL moderate
Head out after breakfast for a guided hike into the forest with a packed lunch prepared for you. The trail leads to 2 beautiful waterfalls, Curtain and Susung Waterfalls, each with its own character. The route follows a jungle path through rainforest scenery, with entrance fee and boat transfer included.
The hike is considered moderate difficulty due to the tropical heat, forest terrain and some short steeper sections along the trail. A reasonable level of fitness and suitable walking shoes are recommended.
Night Walk ✧ Recommended
Night Walk ✧ Recommended
DURATION couple of hours
START 7PM
LEVEL relaxed
Join a guided night walk through the forest after dark, an immersive experience for those curious about the jungle at night. Beginning around 7PM, we gather briefly around the fire before heading out on the trail.
Walk beneath the stars and experience the forest’s nocturnal world coming alive. Insects, frogs and reptiles move along the path, revealing a different rhythm of the jungle once the sun goes down. The walk is follows a gentle forest trail at a relaxed pace.
Accommodation and Amenities
Accommodation and Amenities
The homestead has 2 simple rooms. Each room sleeps up to 4 people on single floor mats and we can host up to 8 guests in total. Each room has its own private toilet and shower room. Your room private and is never shared with other groups.
Comfortable modern traditional rooms with private shower and toilet, fully protected from insects
WiFi available at the homestead
Outdoor communal rainforest dining area beside the river
Knowledgeable local hosts who will welcome you into the rainforest experience
Cuisine
Cuisine
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
Local ingredients Bidayuh home cooked meals
Local ingredients Bidayuh home cooked meals
Bidayuh home cooked meals with local ingredients
Bidayuh home cooked meals with local ingredients
Enjoy nourishing home cooked Bidayuh meals made with fresh local ingredients and forest herbs.
Breakfast is typically fried rice or noodles, served with toast and jams. Lunch and dinner usually include 2 seasonal vegetable dishes and 1 local meat or fish dish, served with rice.
Vegetarian options are available.
Bengoh Range National Park
Bengoh Range National Park
The forest around us is shared with many other animals, many are protected under Sarawak’s Wildlife Protection Ordinance. Most are shy, so every sighting is rare and special.
Interaction with guests
Interaction with guests
Your time here is private and immersive, set within the rainforest and surrounded by nature. You will be staying in a secluded setting that offers space and quiet throughout your stay. Lottie and Lelem are available on site, and the local Bidayuh community, based in the nearby village, support the logistics of your journey and access to the homestead.
Ngapuh Homestead is a non profit community association where all contributions go directly back into supporting the community, the land and regenerative projects.
Ngapuh Homestead is a non profit community association where all contributions go directly back into supporting the community, the land and regenerative projects.
Visit
Visit
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
A REGENETERATIVE COMMUNITY IN BORNEO
Join us the heart of the rainforest
Join us the heart of the rainforest
Located in Sarawak’s Bungo Range
Located in Sarawak’s Bungo Range
Nestled beside the Bungo Range, Ngapuh Homestead sits deep within the rainforest, beside the river and accessible only by boat. The setting is remote, quiet, and shaped by the surrounding jungle landscape.
Your journey usually begins with a 1 hour drive from Kuching town or the airport to the boat jetty and car park towards Ulu Bengoh. From there, a private boat carries you along the river, passing through dense rainforest before reaching the homestead.
The arrival by water is part of the experience itself, a gradual shift out of road access and into a slower rhythm of forest life.
Arrival at Ngapuh Homestead
Arrival at Ngapuh Homestead
The adventure begins the moment you arrive at the boat jetty. Your local Bidayuh guide will meet you there, and from the dam you will take a scenic 30 minute boat ride across the reservoir to the village boat jetty.
From there, access to the lodge varies depending on the time of year as water levels change. Sometimes it is a short rainforest walk from the drop off point, and at other times a longer hike is required. We can confirm the exact route closer to your arrival so you know what to expect. If you need assistance with bags, a porter can be arranged.
We’re proud to be Superhosts, loved by guests and highly rated
We’re proud to be Superhosts, loved by guests and highly rated
Semenggoh Orangutan Centre on Route
Semenggoh Orangutan Centre on Route
On the way, you’ll pass the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where orangutans come out for feeding times in the morning and afternoon. We recommend making a stop.
Reviews
Reviews
Rating, 5 stars"Food for my soul. Very grateful to have spent 2 days in this beautiful place. You are embraced by traditional living with added luxury. The pace of life slows, you taste wonderfulLocal food most of it from the gardens, you sleep to the sound of cicadas and tropical rain, you swim in the river and walk the jungle trails, you rest and talk. Monday contributes to the local community. Thank you Lottie and family for such wonderful hospitality. This is for those who don’t need entertainment but seek authenticity, the opportunity to soak in the jungle and learn more about traditional life.I feel refreshed and blessed."
Rating, 5 stars"Between jungle treks, night walk and quiet moments of contemplation on the terrace, I rediscovered a slower, more authentic rhythm of life, after a year of stress. This is not just a place to stay – it is a place to listen, to breathe, and to truly feel. A rare gem for anyone seeking a deep connection with nature and with themselves.Thank you again for the lovely stay!!"
Rating, 5 stars"Lovely place very remote in the jungle. Charlotte (Lottie) and Jerome (Lelem) were super kind and helpful. We had their homemade food and it was truly amazing. Will recommend for anybody looking for a peaceful, authentic stay in beautiful surroundings. Their cats are lovely!"
Rating, 5 stars"Lovely place very remote in the jungle. Charlotte (Lottie) and Jerome (Lelem) were super kind and helpful. We had their homemade food and it was truly amazing. Will recommend for anybody looking for a peaceful, authentic stay in beautiful surroundings. Their cats are lovely!"
Rating, 5 stars"Food for my soul. Very grateful to have spent 2 days in this beautiful place. You are embraced by traditional living with added luxury. The pace of life slows, you taste wonderfulLocal food most of it from the gardens, you sleep to the sound of cicadas and tropical rain, you swim in the river and walk the jungle trails, you rest and talk. Monday contributes to the local community. Thank you Lottie and family for such wonderful hospitality. This is for those who don’t need entertainment but seek authenticity, the opportunity to soak in the jungle and learn more about traditional life.I feel refreshed and blessed."
Our home was inspired by the traditional architecture of the Bidayuh highlands and built in collaboration. Located deep within the rainforest without road access, every stage of construction required careful planning. Building materials, tools and supplies had to be transported long distances, making the process both physically demanding and deeply rewarding.
The design draws from traditional village houses that are naturally suited to the tropical climate. Wide roof overhangs, shaded outdoor spaces and natural ventilation help create a comfortable living environment while reducing the need for mechanical cooling.
Rather than replicating the past, the house combines traditional building knowledge with contemporary design principles. The result is a home that respects local heritage while meeting the needs of modern living.
Building the house was not simply a construction project. It was a community effort that brought together craftsmanship, local knowledge and a shared belief in creating something lasting. The experience continues to influence the way we approach architecture, sustainability and life in the rainforest.
Today the house remains an evolving project, with ongoing work exploring bamboo construction, regenerative building practices and new ways of combining traditional wisdom with contemporary design.
Meet Your Hosts
Meet Your Hosts
Known locally as Lottie and Lelem, we have made our home in the rainforest of Sarawak, where we live and work alongside the local community.
Ngapuh Homestead began as a shared vision to create a place where visitors could experience village life, connect with nature and learn from the traditions and knowledge that continue to shape this landscape.
Together with family and community members, we welcome guests to experience a slower pace of life through bamboo craft workshops, traditional building, farming, foraging and cooking. These activities provide an opportunity to share practical skills, celebrate local culture and preserve knowledge for future generations.
Life here is a balance of old and new. While connected to the wider world through modern technology, daily life remains closely tied to the rhythms of the rainforest, community gatherings and hands on work.
Each visit helps support the homestead and contributes to community projects, maintenance and future development. We hope that guests leave not only with memories of a beautiful place, but also with a deeper appreciation for the value of community, craftsmanship and connection to the natural world.
Come stay, learn and create with us.
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