Reviews

River wading at Ngapuh Homestead on Bidayuh ancestral land in Kuching, with rainforest trees and water reflection

Crackling campfire in a rustic hearth at Ngapuh Homestead, with lush jungle greenery visible through the walls

Family-style meal spread on a wooden table at Ngapuh Homestead on Bidayuh ancestral land in Kuching

Stepping stones and shallow river at Ngapuh Homestead in Kuching, with a traveller standing among rocky shallows

Two travellers relaxing on river rocks by Ngapuh Homestead in Kuching, surrounded by dense green forest

The location of Ngapuh Homestead gives the feeling of remoteness and at the same time you feel connected to the village community and an ancient culture. Gracious hospitality is a phrase that comes to mind when I consider how we were welcomed and cared for.

The desire to share the knowledge of natural food harvesting and the importance of ensuring this way of life is retained came across clearly.

The accomodation: perfect, overlooking tranqil waters and jungle teeming with butterflies and birds. Comfortable quarters and squeaky clean.

The catering: next level for quality, freshness and quantity!

I would recommend this to everyone! Especially family groups wishing to provide their children with real-life experiences.

I'd give ten out if five 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 wonderful

Local 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.

A perfect start to our trip and we loved being immersed in nature! It was a spectacular adventure taking the boat to the homestay and crossing the river on foot to reach Ngapuh lodge. Lottie and Lelem were great hosts, very easy to talk to and we really enjoyed our time with them. We booked onto the waterfall hike and night walk activites, both were lovely experiences. We also recommend booking the full board option to enjoy home cooked Bidayuh cuisine, everything was delicious! Thank you for the most wonderful stay in the jungle!

We had an amazing time! The lodge is perfectly located in the jungle, where 2 rivers meet. Jerome and Charlotte built 2 beautiful lodges in a peaceful environment. They showed us around, made us tried fruits we did not know and even took us on a night walk in the jungle.

We really appreciated the full board option, which included fresh fish from the river or turkey cooked in a bamboo for example.

Overall we are grateful to have shared these moments and learned more about the Bidayuh culture.

Hopefully we will be back!

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!!

A corner of paradise immersed in the jungle, where the concept of relaxation and isolation takes on a whole new meaning. The perfect place to get away from it all and regenerate. The managers, members of the local tribe, are very kind people who will accompany you with passion in many typical activities, making the experience even more authentic and special.

It‘s simply amazing!! If you don’t want a touristic tour, but a real experience with people REALLY living there and not just putting a show on, then go there!

The hosts are super friendly, answer all your questions, food is good (and rather healthy) - so yes, we loved it!

Visited the lodge for accommodation, a tour package, and a bamboo raft workshop. I never cease to admire this magical place every time I return. It’s amazing to witness both the beauty of nature and the kindness of the people who built this wonderful place and community from scratch. I feel grateful that the hosts and local community are eager to share the wisdom passed down by their ancestors and the beauty of their homeland. Plus, they always make sure you never feel hungry.

Lovely place very remote in the jungle. Charlotte and Jerome 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!

If you want to spend a couple of days in the middle of the forest, look no further! Not the easiest of routes to get there but it was definitely worth it in the end. Lottie and Lelem were great hosts😊 a special thank you goes also to Kawa, terima kasih!! 🫶🏼

A truly unique experience in a magical place. Lelem, Lottie, Kaywa and everyone were incredibly kind and helpful. Perfect for those who want to see wildlife and unwind in a scenic location. Will be coming back again as soon as I can!

Some places you want to keep to yourself. 

This is one of them, so precious and so special that the first instinct is not to tell anyone. But that would go against everything Lelem and Lottie stand for, so here it is: if you are looking for that one truly special stay on Airbnb, stop searching and book.

The food was the best we had on our entire trip. There is something deeply grounding about eating only what the jungle provides. And the green: the sheer number of shades of green is astonishing, and simply sitting on the porch taking it in is the most calming thing imaginable.

Lelem and our guide Kewa went out of their way for us. They taught our son how to fish with a cast net, took us to a beautiful waterfall, and cooked wonderfully for us. It was also a real honour to meet Lelem’s father and get a glimpse of the important work of the Bidayuh community around the Bengoh Dam and the river.

This is the most wonderful place I have ever been.

A stay away from the busy chaos. Awesome location for someone looking for peaceful time off

Peacefull place isolated in the jungle with activitities to do with family

Definitely one of the most peaceful and serene forest one can stay, it's a real privilege to be able to come this part of the forest and for Lottie and Lelem to share this beautiful spot with visitors.  You are in the middle of a lush forest with 3 rivers going pass your front door, and wildlife everywhere you look. It is remote, and is really off-grid. I saw plenty of animals that would have taken me a long time to see anywhere else! My son of 7 really enjoyed every moment of it, we stayed by the river for most of the days!

I wanted to give my parents an unforgetable gift on their 50th year return to Kuching, and I found Lottie& Lelem's place. It was the most wonderful experience & thanks to Lelem, we get to understand the history & struggles of the local villagers. 

Lottie has been the MOST helpful hostess from start to finish. Her coordination & communication is top notch! 

A shout out to chef Kawe (hope I spelt it right) who make sure we are well fed & makes delicious local dishes during our 2 days there. Thank you Kawe for spending time talking to us, we really enjoyed knowing you!

Thanks Lelem @ Lottie for hosting us and sharing this authentic experience with us. Do not expect to much luxury. Food was excellent local food and WiFi was perfect. We spend 3 nights and enjoyed the surrounding and house.

Un petit coin de paradis reposant dans un très bel endroit. La cuisine locale est délicieuse et (trop) copieuse. Le logement est sommaire mais il correspond au lieu, pas besoin de plus. le WiFi fonctionne tres bien. Il n'y a pas d'eau chaude pour la douche mais ce n'est pas vraiment un problème. Je recommande les excursions de nuit et à la cascade!

-

A little slice of heaven, relaxing in a very nice place. The local cuisine is delicious and (too) hearty. The accommodation is basic but it matches the location; no need for more. The Wi-Fi works very well. There is no hot water for the shower, but it's not really a problem. I recommend the night excursions and the waterfall excursions!

A truly unique experience in a magical place. Lelem, Lottie, Kaywa and everyone were incredibly kind and helpful. Perfect for those who want to see wildlife and unwind in a scenic location. Will be coming back again as soon as I can!

Probably the only place like this in the world. Love it

It‘s simply amazing!! If you don’t want a touristic tour, but a real experience with people REALLY living there and not just putting a show on, then go there! The hosts are super friendly, answer all your questions, food is good (and rather healthy) - so yes, we loved it!

Myself and my friends stayed here in November 2025 and it was so beautiful and relaxing. If you are a nature lover, adventurous or even just want to get away from the beaten track, this is the place for you! Lottie and Lelem were incredible and considerate hosts who were excellent, warm company and also were happy to change plans as needed. The food was authentic and delicious. Thanks also to Kaywa and all the other locals who helped make the place so special!

Amazing place to stay. We stayed 4 nights which is perfect. The trip to the lodge per boat was already wonderful. No traffic noice, where you find that? Lottie & Lelum were very kind and helpful. Highly recommended.