Since 2000, I have been an active member of the Balai Kito Homestay Association, with a certified license under the Ministry of Culture of Tourism Malaysia in 2001. My husband, Datu Mohd Ahbam Abulani held the position as the coordinator of the Balai Kito Homestay Association from 2009-2016.  In 2015, we ‘leaped and ventured’ onto adding Village View Stay that accords with our Homestay. Hence, we call it –Village View Stay and Homestay.

My husband Bam – how we usually call him, is also the Programme Co-ordinator of Hutan-Kinabatangan Orang Utan Conservation Programme (KOCP). Hutan-KOCP is a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) that aims on orang-utan research in Sabah. Run by locals since 1998 and centred in Sukau village, this community-based conservation NGO has grown holistically to approach other wildlife and environmental issues. With his experience in orang utan research and management, Bam attends to our village view stay and homestay as well.

Albeit we run this homestay as a personal business, this provides community benefit thoroughly in services (boat cruise, trekking guide, etc). We do not only offer you experience of cultural heritage and wildlife, but we exclusively ingrain your participation in conservation knowledge while visiting. With that, we provide activities such as jungle trekking while seeking seedlings. You can learn more about our volunteering program here.

My name is Sariha Bte Maharan and I welcome you to my humble home.