All reviews
Review Author: Tracey
Review Date: 06 Sep 2026
Review Body: 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 🙌
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Priscilla (Canada)
Review Date: 01 Oct 2026
Review Body: This was such a special experience that I will cherish. I was treated so kindly and with so much care, and I felt comfortable despite being so far away from the mainland. I learned lots about the land and the homestead - the wisdom itself is priceless and I would be honoured to be welcomed back again. Thank you so much :)
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Prajakta Bhagwat
Review Date: 06 Oct 2026
Review Body: My husband and I stayed at Ngapuh Homestead with our two children, aged 7 and 2, for 3D/2N at circa AUD $900 (RM2,700).
What we liked:
* The homestead is in a beautiful forest setting. The accommodation is simple but clean, although the area has a lot of mosquitoes.
* Meals were simple, fresh and satisfying, generally including vegetables, rice and meat. Breakfast was usually nasi goreng, sausages, char kway teow or eggs.
* The local guides who accompanied us during the transfers and trekking were friendly and patient. One kindly carried our 7-year-old on his shoulders for around 20 minutes when he became tired during the three-hour trek, which took place during the hottest part of the day.
Suggestions for the hosts:
The biggest improvement would be to share the detailed itinerary and expected level of physical activity before arrival. The trekking to the waterfall and homestead involved significant uphill and undulating terrain and was more physically demanding than we had anticipated, particularly with young children.
This may be exactly what older children and adults are looking for in an active jungle experience, but families travelling with toddlers or younger children would benefit from knowing the requirements beforehand and, where possible, having a choice of less strenuous activities.
It would also be helpful to keep the cats away from guests during meal times, as they were quite persistent in trying to climb onto people to get to the food. Our itinerary
Itinerary we experienced:
Day 1
* 9:30am – Pickup from Kuching
* 10:30am – 15-minute boat ride from the dam into the forest
* 11am–12pm – Uphill trek to a waterfall
* 12–1pm – Waterfall swim and lunch cooked at the waterfall
* 1–2pm – Hike through undulating terrain back to the boat base
* 2–2:30pm – Boat ride towards the homestead
* 2:30–3:30pm – Uphill hike to the homestead
* 3:30–4:30pm – Hot chocolate and fish fritters
* 4:30–6pm – Rest
* 6pm – Dinner
* 8pm – Retire for the evening
Day 2
* 8am – Breakfast
* 9:30am – Foraging for lunch
* 12pm – Lunch
* 2pm – Optional kayaking; we chose to read books instead
* 3:30–4:30pm – Hot chocolate and sweet sago fritters
* 6pm – Dinner
* 8pm – Retire for the evening
Day 3
* 8am – Breakfast
* Morning – Visit to Ngapuh village, which we skipped after our 2-year-old was bitten by one of the host’s cats and we needed to take her to a doctor
* 12pm – Lunch (potentially)
* Afternoon – Departure for Kuching
* 4pm – Arrival in Kuching
A note for future visitors:
We would recommend booking through Airbnb and paying for activities ad hoc, rather than choosing the all-inclusive package via seeksophie or the hosts’ website. This gives you more flexibility and avoids paying for activities that may not be available. For example, the river swim included in our package was unavailable because the raft had been damaged in the previous year’s floods, but we had already paid for it.
We also skipped the village visit after our 2-year-old was bitten by one of the host’s cats when trying to pat it. We took her to a doctor in Kuching afterwards to make sure there was no risk of infection.
If the hosts are arranging your transfers, a quick WhatsApp message (number on their website) to confirm the pickup and drop-off details may help ensure a smooth arrival. We only connected with them the day before, after reaching out ourselves.
Overall, Ngapuh Homestead offers a genuine forest experience, with kind guides, simple local food and a beautiful setting. Families with young children should clarify the itinerary, physical demands, activity availability and transfer arrangements before booking.
Review rating: 3
Review Author: Mhoira
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Georgina
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Hugo
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Anonymous
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Yoonis
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Francesco
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Jerome
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: This homestead is a peaceful, off grid jungle retreat accessible only by boat, located where three rivers meet.
Surrounded by stunning mountains and by the river, sunny, misty mornings, refreshing swims, and waterfall hikes.
At night, the area comes alive with insects. An opportunity to learn about the local community, and their way of life.
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Elisabeth
Review Date: 22 Aug 2026
Review Body: 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!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Emma
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Isabel
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!! 🫶🏼
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Isabel
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!! 🫶🏼
Review rating: 5
Review Author: Edward
Review Date: 22 Dec 2025
Review Body: 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!
Review rating: 5
Itinerary
Itinerary Day 1
Itinerary Summary: Native Cooking, Bamboo Cooked Meals, Bidayuh Farming and Rainforest Dining
Itinerary Description: 9:30 Pick up from your hotel or the airport and begin the journey toward the Bengoh Dam region
10:30 Arrive at the dam and travel by boat into the rainforest as the landscape opens into river, rock and jungle
12:30 Arrive at Ngapuh Homestead, settle into your room with private shower and toilet and take time to unwind
13:00 Enjoy a freshly prepared lunch using local and seasonal ingredients, served beside the river
14:00 Spend the afternoon swimming in the river, resting in the homestead and moving at the pace of the rainforest
16:00 Join a guided foraging experience around the homestead, gathering native ingredients for the evening meal
17:00 Relax as dinner is prepared over fire using locally sourced produce, seasonal ingredients and traditional cooking methods
18:00 Share a Bidayuh inspired dinner beside the fire, overlooking the river as evening settles into the forest
19:30 Step into the rainforest on a guided night walk to observe nocturnal wildlife beneath the stars
Itinerary Day 2
Itinerary Summary: Native Cooking, Bamboo Cooked Meals, Bidayuh Farming and Rainforest Dining
Itinerary Description: 08:00 Begin the morning with a home cooked river side breakfast at Ngapuh Homestead, slow and fresh, surrounded by rainforest sounds and morning light on the water
09:30 Travel by boat deeper into the Bidayuh landscape, passing wooden riverside homes and observing daily village life unfolding along the river
10:00 Walk through regenerative hill farms and rainforest trails, learning how native ingredients, seasonal crops and traditional Bidayuh farming shape both food and land
11:15 Arrive at the waterfall trail and step into Curtain and Susung Waterfall for a short rainforest pause in cool water and dense jungle
12:30 Share a traditional Bidayuh lunch at the waterfall, cooked in bamboo over open fire using local ingredients and native cooking methods
14:00 Continue by boat back along the river toward Ngapuh Homestead as the forest shifts into late afternoon stillness
15:30 Arrive at Ngapuh Homestead and rest by the river, swim, sit quietly or simply slow down within the landscape
16:00 Join a guided foraging walk around the homestead, gathering native ingredients and learning their role in evening cooking
17:30 Begin preparing dinner over fire using freshly foraged and locally sourced ingredients, rooted in traditional Bidayuh cooking methods
18:30 Share a communal Bidayuh inspired dinner beside the river and fire, shaped by the land, the season and what has been gathered throughout the day
Itinerary Day 3
Itinerary Summary: Native Cooking, Bamboo Cooked Meals, Bidayuh Farming and Rainforest Dining
Itinerary Description: 8:00 Begin the morning with breakfast at Ngapuh Homestead beside the river, fresh, local and prepared with seasonal ingredients
09:00 Set out on a guided rainforest river walk along the red river, learning about native ingredients, edible plants and traditional foraging paths, passing hunting and foraging shelters along the way
10:30 Take part in tree planting that supports riverbank regeneration and ongoing Bidayuh stewardship of the forest
11:30 Walk back to the Bidayuh village across the traditional suspended bridge, moving through farmland and village landscape
12:30 Enjoy a packed village lunch at the viewing platform overlooking rainforest and agricultural land, featuring local ingredients and Bidayuh inspired food traditions
15:00 Board the boat and begin the journey back through the rainforest waterways
15:30 Arrive at Bengoh Dam
16:30 Return to Kuching
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3D2N Regenerative Homestead | Life on Bidayuh Ancestral Land
A slow, soulful stay in the Borneo rainforest
4.9
|15 Reviews
Group size
Up to 8 guests

DURATION
3 days 2 nights

Booking type
Join-in trip

MEET UP
Free pick-up

Group size
Up to 8 guests
- Experience highlights
- Itinerary
- Inclusions
- Accommodation
- Availability
- More Info
- Host
- Reviews
An off-grid jungle stay you won’t want to leave
If you're looking to slow down, eat well, and discover the rainforest through Bidayuh food traditions, this 3D2N Homestead Stay offers a deeper introduction to life in the Bidayuh highlands.Here, food is more than a meal—it's a reflection of the surrounding landscape and the community that has cared for it for generations. Ingredients come from nearby farms, forest gardens and rivers, then are prepared over bamboo and open fire using traditional cooking methods passed down through generations. Sharing these meals becomes a window into everyday Bidayuh life.The journey itself is part of the experience. Travel deep into the rainforest by boat, cross suspension bridges, and arrive at an off-grid homestead built together with the local Bidayuh community. Hidden beside the river beneath the forest canopy, the homestead feels wonderfully remote while still offering comfortable rooms, WiFi and ensuite bathrooms.With three days in the rainforest, you'll have more time to slow down and immerse yourself in the rhythms of the homestead. Learn traditional bamboo cooking techniques, explore regenerative hill farms and native ingredients, hike through ancestral rainforest, swim in jungle rivers and waterfalls, and experience how food, farming and the forest remain deeply woven into everyday Bidayuh life.Your stay is guided by members of the local Bidayuh community and hosted by a British and Bidayuh couple who built the homestead together within the rainforest. By staying here, you'll directly support local families, regenerative farming and rainforest conservation.If you would like a shorter stay, check out the 2D1N homestead experience.What to ExpectStay in a peaceful off grid rainforest homesteadTravel into the rainforest range by boatHike to waterfalls and swim in jungle riversCross suspended bridges to reach the homesteadShare traditional Bidayuh meals beside the riverExperience bamboo cooking over open fire using local ingredientsLearn about regenerative hill farming and native rainforest ingredientsGuided walks across Bidayuh ancestral landNight walks beneath the rainforest canopyWake up to freshly prepared home cooked breakfasts beside the riverGood to KnowAll meals, activities, boat transfers, taxi pick up and local Bidayuh guiding are includedThis is a private hosted experienceSuitable for guests with moderate fitness, including light hiking and suspension bridge crossingsYour stay directly supports local families, regenerative farming and rainforest conservationThis experience requires a minimum of two guests and is not available for solo travellersAmenitiesComfortable modern traditional rooms that are fully insect proof with a private shower and toiletWiFi available at the homesteadOutdoor communal dining area with an evening campfire beside the riverAll meals and drinks provided, created with fresh local ingredientsWarm and knowledgeable hosts who will welcome you
Experience highlights
What You’ll be Doing
Day 1:
Native Cooking, Bamboo Cooked Meals, Bidayuh Farming and Rainforest DiningDay 2:
Native Cooking, Bamboo Cooked Meals, Bidayuh Farming and Rainforest DiningDay 3:
Native Cooking, Bamboo Cooked Meals, Bidayuh Farming and Rainforest DiningShow Details
What’s Included
All meals and refreshments
An experienced Bidayuh guide throughout
All boat rides
Taxi transport to and from Bengoh Dam boat jetty
Accommodation in comfortable, bug proof rooms
All activities listed in the itinerary
Not included
Available Add-ons:
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Who you’re supporting

Community Champion
Show Details
Where You’ll Sleep
Next Available Dates
Prices shown in USD
Select Time for 08 Oct 2026
Additional Information
Where we'll meet
Start Point
Free pick-up from Kuching International Airport(Kuching International Airport, Jalan Lapangan Terbang, Malaysia)
- 09:30am
+ 3 other options
End Point
- End at Start Point(s)
Start & Ends
- If Pick-up from Kuching International Airport09:30AM Free pick-up from 04:00PM on Day 3
- If Pick-up from Kuching Waterfront Hotel09:30AM Free pick-up from 04:00PM on Day 3
- If Meet-up at Kuching International Airport09:30AM Free pick-up from 10:00AM on Day 3
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Suitability / Accessibility
- Vegetarian food available
- Halal food available
- Child Friendly (No Minimum Age)
Cancellation & other policies
Cancellation
Cancel 7 days before activity for a full refundMinimum Participants
If there are fewer than 2 participants, the host may reschedule or refund your booking.
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What to Pack
- A hat for sun and rain protection
- A light plastic rain jacket in case of showers
- A small backpack for day excursions, we suggest to leave larger luggage in town
- A water bottle, refillable if possible
- A waterproof bag for electrical equipment
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Fitness or yoga wear, which is commonly also used for swimming in the jungle
- Guests are responsible for keeping their belongings safe and dry throughout the trip
- Light long sleeved clothing for sun and insect protection
- Personal essentials, and insect repellent
From
RM1,280.81
/person4.9(15)
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Meet your host
Charlotte is a British architect, and Jerome is a Bidayuh builder from the local community. Together with Simo, the village chief, they built this homestead with the Bidayuh community from the ground up.
It’s not just a place to stay. It’s a nonprofit project designed to support local families and protect the forest. Everything here — from the buildings to the experiences — is shaped by the people who live on this land.
By staying here, you’re not just visiting the rainforest. You’re part of something that helps preserve Bidayuh culture and sustain the community that calls it home.
Experience: 3 years
Speaks: Fluent English, Bahasa
Acceptance rate: 89%

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