Iban Longhouse, Kuching
Borneo, Borneo (Sarawak)

Iban Longhouses are the traditional homes of the various Iban tribes of Sarawak. Built entirely from natural materials with ancient knowledge, a stay in one makes for an insightful and fulfilling memory. It suits open minded travellers happy to sacrifice a degree of comfort for a unique cultural experience.

A stay at an Iban longhouse means you interact with your hosts across your visit. The food will be simple but authentic and you can learn about tribespeople’s daily lives. If you’re in luck there may be a festival going on during your stay, in which case you can join in with celebrations and try traditional rice wine called ‘tuak.’

Bedding is usually a basic mattress in a compartment of a much larger longhouse made of wood. There is no real privacy as walls are made of bamboo and you can hear your neighbours easily. Bathrooms are likely to be in a separate building and may not have running water. There is no electricity, so bring a torch for light. The longhouse itself is set in the jungle and is likely to be remote.

All in all this is a real experience and, whilst not the most comfortable, it is certainly unique suiting open minded couples and families.