Saloma and her family give a genuine kampung experience. Their home is very clean, beautifully maintained and so welcoming. A shout-out to Selena, a beautiful young Bidiyuh woman who... read more even took me to church last Sunday.
The daily programme is very well organised behind the scenes, with each small group of guests having a similar yet uniquely personal daily experience.
William is a star, he should be retired by now but his physical strength is incredible. The full day waterfalls experience concluding with pomelo at his house that he climbed to pick....
On the farm-walk day with Nicholas, Andy and Saloma's mum we saw this is truly a genuine hunter-gatherer-cultivation village. Cos we twigged a can of sweetcorn was the only bought food we had eaten in 3 days.
Saloma's vision to bring outsiders into her kampung was bold but it is clearly successful and respectful on both sides.
Living softly on the land and with the land. More

  We booked our stay at Saloma’s homestay in the beginning of January. From the first contact on, Saloma helped us with the planning of our holiday. After some talk we... read more decided to stay for 4 nights and 5 days and thus the full program. At first we thought that this would be a bit too expensive, but it turned out to be the best choice of our holiday. Everything is arranged for at the homestay. We did a lot of nice tours with guides that speak very good English, people from the local village. Via them we got to know the Bidayu culture. They also invited us into their daily life and showed us how friendly and hospitable their culture is. Saloma will welcome you as a friend at her Homestay. A business she started 10 years ago. She told us about the rough start and the reasons why she wanted to start it in the first place. The ‘homestay’ is called a ‘villagestay’ because it contributes to the whole village. Local guides, local cook, local everything. Even the food we got (3 complete meals a day) where (partly) locally produced or collected in the forest during our trips. As vegetarians we had no problems at all. Within every meal there where several dishes. We highly recommend everybody to stay at this place during their travel in Sarawak. It’s the best way to get to know a culture and to... We booked our stay at Saloma’s homestay in the beginning of January. From the first contact on, Saloma helped us with the planning of our holiday. After some talk we decided to stay for 4 nights and 5 days and thus the full program. At first we thought that this would be a bit too expensive, but it turned out to be the best choice of our holiday. Everything is arranged for at the homestay. We did a lot of nice tours with guides that speak very good English, people from the local village. Via them we got to know the Bidayu culture. They also invited us into their daily life and showed us how friendly and hospitable their culture is.

Saloma will welcome you as a friend at her Homestay. A business she started 10 years ago. She told us about the rough start and the reasons why she wanted to start it in the first place. The ‘homestay’ is called a ‘villagestay’ because it contributes to the whole village. Local guides, local cook, local everything. Even the food we got (3 complete meals a day) where (partly) locally produced or collected in the forest during our trips. As vegetarians we had no problems at all. Within every meal there where several dishes.

We highly recommend everybody to stay at this place during their travel in Sarawak. It’s the best way to get to know a culture and to meet new friends!

Saloma, thank you again for everything. Hopefully until the next time. More

  I spent 4 months traveling in SE Asia and my stay at Saloma's was hands down one of the best experiences by far. Saloma, Gregory, and Wuui were absolutely delightful... read more hosts who went so far out of their way to make me feel welcome. I felt like part of the family & the experience was very authentic and unforced—such a delightful escape from the tourist traps in the region. The food was authentic & delicious w/o being altered to cater to tourists—basic roots, vegetables, rice, & other staples of traditional Bidayuh culture that tasted great. Hiked to a beautiful secluded waterfall, swam for an hour in the middle of the jungle. Walked throughout the village, learned about the children & crafts, stopped at a wildlife sanctuary where I saw orangutans (incl. a baby w/her mother). The home itself exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be very basic w/squat toilets etc but it instead I was treated to a beautiful spa-like retreat in the woods. Large second-floor patio overlooking the jungle, travelers library with English-lang books, lounge, hammock, flush toilets, shower in the wall, & other unexpected amenities. Bed was a simple yet comfy mattress w/mosquito netting and pretty decor. What a pleasant surprise! I got especially lucky because my stay coincided w/a kid's birthdayso I got to enjoy a big celebration where neighbors came from all over the village. We danced, drank rice wine, laughed, and had an amazing... I spent 4 months traveling in SE Asia and my stay at Saloma's was hands down one of the best experiences by far. Saloma, Gregory, and Wuui were absolutely delightful hosts who went so far out of their way to make me feel welcome. I felt like part of the family & the experience was very authentic and unforced—such a delightful escape from the tourist traps in the region. The food was authentic & delicious w/o being altered to cater to tourists—basic roots, vegetables, rice, & other staples of traditional Bidayuh culture that tasted great. Hiked to a beautiful secluded waterfall, swam for an hour in the middle of the jungle. Walked throughout the village, learned about the children & crafts, stopped at a wildlife sanctuary where I saw orangutans (incl. a baby w/her mother).

The home itself exceeded my expectations. I thought it would be very basic w/squat toilets etc but it instead I was treated to a beautiful spa-like retreat in the woods. Large second-floor patio overlooking the jungle, travelers library with English-lang books, lounge, hammock, flush toilets, shower in the wall, & other unexpected amenities. Bed was a simple yet comfy mattress w/mosquito netting and pretty decor. What a pleasant surprise!

I got especially lucky because my stay coincided w/a kid's birthdayso I got to enjoy a big celebration where neighbors came from all over the village. We danced, drank rice wine, laughed, and had an amazing time. If you're anywhere near Borneo, I highly recommend Saloma's! More

  Homestay is an accurate description of Saloma. You are a guest in their house and Saloma (and Gregory - her brother) will make you feel welcome with their hospitality and... read more endeavour to make you stay as memorable as possible - dine with their family, enjoy the hospitality of their own home, let them guide you on the walk into the forest.

The stay will include - a visit to a nearby primary school to see how local kids board and study, craft visit made by the locals, visit to a nearby Iban longhouse, a night walk (unless it rains in which we got an improvised firepit using a wheelbarrow and a BBQ chicken was cooked on ... brilliant idea!) and the highlight of the trip - waterfall(s) visit! Our kid really enjoyed playing with the local kids at the waterfall - throwing the frisbee at the waterfall pool.

There is reputed to be 5 waterfalls in their area (we managed visit to 2 in our 2 days, 1 night stay). This is definitely one of their best kept secret vs other homestays in the area.

Challenge - Try to shower early in the evening, the fresh icy cool mountain water is only for the brave once night falls.

Would be nice if the place had hot water but guess this is part of the charm of roughing it out.

Reminder - Do bring a book or two, sit and lounge in the hammock on the main sitting area nestled among the trees and enjoy a cup of hot tea.