Komodo : Pre Historic Dragon

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is a species of lizard with its roots going all the way back to the dinosaurs, inhabits the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang, and Gili Dasami, in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. A member of the monitor lizard family (Varanidae), it is the largest living species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2 to 3 metres (6.6 to 9.8 ft) and weighing around 70 kilograms (150 lb). An adult Komodo dragon usually weighs around 70 kilograms (150 lb), although captive specimens often weigh more. The largest verified wild specimen was 3.13 metres (10.3 ft) long and weighed 166 kilograms (370 lb), including undigested food. The Komodo dragon has a tail as long as its body, as well as about 60 frequently-replaced serrated teeth that can measure up to 2.5 centimeters (1 inch) in length. Its saliva is frequently blood-tinged, because its teeth are almost completely covered by gingival tissue that is naturally lacerated during feeding. This creates an ideal culture for the virulent bacteria that live in its mouth. It also has a long, yellow, deeply-forked tongue. Their unusual size is attributed to island gigantism, since there are no other carnivorous animals to fill the niche on the islands where they live, and also to the Komodo dragon's low metabolic rate. As a result of their size, these lizards, along with symbiotic bacteria, dominate the ecosystems in which they live. Komodo dragons are carnivores, carrion-feeders, and cannibals. Although Komodo dragons eat mostly carrion, they will also hunt and ambush prey including invertebrates, birds, and mammals.

Komodo dragon was the driving factor for an expedition to Komodo Island by W. Douglas Burden in 1926. After returning with 12 preserved specimens and 2 live ones, this expedition provided the inspiration for the 1933 movie King Kong.

It is neither permitted nor advisable to do any tours without local guides. The Komodo Dragons are dangerous when they attack. Komodos are extremely dangerous if close enough. They can run faster than humans, so best not approach if necessary. Jumping into water doesn't help either, as they can swim faster than humans, can dive, and can also swim against strong currents. In fact, sometimes Komodos are found on neighboring islands, suspected of swimming there. Their saliva is poisonous and will require immediate medical treatment, and their jaws can mean instant death. It may also charge at its victims. It's tail is equally deadly and may be swung dangerously, knocking victims off their feet. That’s the challenge in Komodo Island.

Location of Destination
Komodo National Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, at a distance of 200 nautical miles to the east of Bali (Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sunda Islands), Province of Nusa Tenggara Timur, Republic of Indonesia).

Route to Get Destination
By plane to Sukarno-Hata Airport (Jakarta). Then by domestic flight about 1 hours and 50 minutes from Sukarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar, Bali Island). Or by international direct flight to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar, Bali Island).
Then by regular flights from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo (in Flores Island) about 2 hours, then by inter-island ferry to Komodo Island approximately 4 hours.
Or by plane from Denpasar to Bima (in Sumbawa Island) about 90 minutes, then travel overland from Bima to Sape approximately 3 hours, then by inter-island ferry from Sape to Komodo Island approximately 4 hours.
Or travel overland and ferry from Denpasar to Komodo Island approximately 2 days.

Most visitors enter Komodo National Park through the gateway cities of Labuan Bajo (In the west of Flores Island) or Bima (In eastern Sumbawa Island)

Best Time to Visit
March to May, after the rainy season

Accommodation for Traveller
In Labuan Bajo : The Golo Hilltop Hotel, The Eco Lodge
Best way to stay overnight at the park is to rent a local excursion boat and sleep on deck. Anchored just off shore from the park.

Others
Rangers’ house, restaurant and information centers are located on both Komodo and Rinca Island.

Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park was established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and its habitat. However, over the years, the goals for the Park have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both terrestrial and marine. Komodo National Park had been declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, both indications of the Park's biological importance.

Komodo National Park includes three major islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar, as well as numerous smaller islands creating a total surface area (marine and land) of 1817 km squares (603 km squares of it land). The islands of the national park are of volcanic origin. As well as being habitat of the largest known lizard, the world famous Komodo Dragon, Komodo National Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, Sunda deer (Cervus timorensis), wild buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), wild boar ((Sus scrofa), the macaque monkey (Macaca fascicularis), and wild horse (Equus qaballus). Moreover, the Park includes one of the richest marine environments including coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, seamounts, and semi-enclosed bays. It consists of forams, cnidaria (includes over 260 species of reef building coral), sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms, mollusks, echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and bony fishes (over 1,000 species), sea turtles, and marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and dugongs). Some notable species with high commercial value include sea cucumbers (Holothuria), Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and groupers.

Most of the Park is dry, rugged and hilly, a combination of ancient volcanic eruptions and more recent tectonic uplift of sedimentary seabeds. The irregular coastline is indented with rocky headlands and sandy bays, many framed by soaring volcanic cliffs. Komodo island alone is 35km long and 15km wide, and is mountainous on a north to south axis, with an average altitude of 500-600m. The highest peak is Satalibo (735m) in the north. Most of the island is lontar palm savannah with remnates of rainforest and bamboo forest at higher elevations. On Rinca the land rises gradually from the north coast to a plateau that ends at Mount Dora (667m) in the south. The rugged south coast is very sheer as a result of volcanic activity in the distant past, as evidenced by the crater bay in which Nusa Kode nestles.

The under water live and its ecosystems have been well known as the best diving site in the world. The water of Komodo National Park is very ideal place for many kinds of sea activites. It's just like the missing paradise for the underwater world lover. It has many excellent dive spots. It's vibrant color and exotic life will enchant divers and snorkelers.

Location of Destination
Komodo National Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, at a distance of 200 nautical miles to the east of Bali (Nusa Tenggara Islands (Lesser Sunda Islands), Province of Nusa Tenggara Timur), Republic of Indonesia.

Route to Get Destination
By plane to Sukarno-Hata Airport (Jakarta). Then by domestic flight about 1 hours and 50 minutes from Sukarno-Hatta Airport (Jakarta) to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar, Bali Island). Or by international direct flight to I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (Denpasar, Bali Island).
Then by regular flights from Denpasar to Labuan Bajo (in Flores Island) about 2 hours, then by inter-island ferry to Komodo Island approximately 4 hours.
Or by plane from Denpasar to Bima (in Sumbawa Island) about 90 minutes, then travel overland from Bima to Sape approximately 3 hours, then by inter-island ferry from Sape to Komodo Island approximately 4 hours.
Or travel overland and ferry from Denpasar to Komodo Island approximately 2 days.

Most visitors enter Komodo National Park through the gateway cities of Labuan Bajo (In the west of Flores Island) or Bima (In eastern Sumbawa Island)

Best Time to Visit
March to May, after the rainy season

Accommodation for Traveller
In Labuan Bajo : The Golo Hilltop Hotel, The Eco Lodge
Best way to stay overnight at the park is to rent a local excursion boat and sleep on deck. Anchored just off shore from the park.

Others
Rangers’ house, restaurant and information centers are located on both Komodo and Rinca Island.