Nestled between eastern Sumbawa and western Flores, Komodo National Park has widely known as the home of the giant lizard Komodo Dragon (varanus komodoensis). The three grass-covered islands namely Komodo, Padar, and Rinca, together with several smaller islands form the Komodo National Park, a protected wildlife reserve. It is administratively located in the subdistrict of Komodo dragons, West Manggarai regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
The park encompasses over 173.300 ha of 40.728 ha land and 132.572 ha sea. Three largest islands dominated the land, are Komodo (33.937 ha) Rinca (19.625 ha) and Padar (2.017 ha). Land topography is rugged with the highest point 735 m at Mount Satalibo. The water surroundings the island are rich in colorful corals, fish and shellfish, but there are hazardous rip tides and strong currents which make diving too risky for the novice.
A total of over 2,300 people are living in the park, within its 3 villages. Komodo village has 1400 people, Rinca village has 1074 people and Kerora Village has 223 people. The locals survive by fishing, as the land is dry and arid, almost impossible to cultivate. Besides fishermen, there are also merchants and teachers. Some people make Komodo dragon carvings for sale to the visitors.
KOMODO DRAGON (varanus komodoensis)
Komodo dragons are ancient creatures. Fossils bearing a strong resemblance with today’s komodo have been unearths from chalk deposits dating back 130 million years, about the end of the age of Dinosaurs. When full grown, komodos can measure up to 3.13 meters (10 feet 2 inches) in length and weight up to 165 kg (365 pounds). They are fearsome creatures with enormous jaws, squat muscular legs and sharp claws. Preying on live deer, goats and wild pigs, they lie in wait hidden beneath the long grass.
Young komodos spend most of their time in trees. However, komodos over 1.5m long can not climb well, they are too heavy to climb trees. The Komodo dragons are constantly regulating their body temperatures. In the early morning, they must warm-up their bodies in the sun. If their body temperature drops too low, the food in their stomach can rot and cause regurgitation or even death. However, the komodo's body temperature must not exceed 42 degrees Celcius (108 degrees Fahrenheit). When it is too hot, they must rest and seek shade to prevent their body from over-heating. Dragons are most active from 6 - 10am in the morning and again from 3 - 5pm in the afternoon. During the rainy season. Komodos stay in burrows if they are too cold. Komodos sleep at night because it is usually too cool for them to be active
MARINE ECOSYSTEM
Dolphins, whales and sea turtles are often seen in the straits between the islands, and a rare species of giants seawater crocodile reportedly had been sighted.
The reefs of Komodo National Park are important habitat for about 1000 species of fishes, over 250 species of reef-building corals, and at least 105 species of crustaceans and 70 species of sponges. Types of coral reefs found in the park: fringing reefs, taka and seamounts, barrier reefs, patch reefs, etc.
The Komodo National Park also has 18 different kinds of mangrove trees. Mangroves are natural physical barrier against soil erosion that can live in salty soil or water. Part of the mangrove root is above the water so that it can take carbon dioxide from the air. Some mangroves have seeds that float in the sea until they find suitable ground to grow on. Other mangroves have long pods which germinate on the tree and then drop into the mud below the parent tree. Mangroves provide habitat for crabs, molluses, estuarine crocodiles and provide rooting/nesting grounds for many seabirds.
DIVING
There are some famous diving sites in Komodo, such as Red Beach, Batu Bolong and Stone Three. Diving in Komodo is very complete from nudibranch and Pigmy seahorses look very small but charming, colorful reef fish, sharks, barracuda and other big fish to manta wings that stretch to reach five meters in Komodo. Coupled with the diversity of underwater topography ranging from flat to reef wall you can enjoy. Most dive sites in Komodo strong and require fast-flowing and expert calculations so that novice divers are not recommended in this area.
The best dive time: April to December
The best dive time: April to December
GETTING THERE
The Komodo National Park can be reached by liveaboard from Bali, but will cost quite a lot. It can also be reached by flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo and then continued by using a boat trip to Komodo. Liveaboards from Labuan Bajo are also available.
ACCOMMODATION
Bintang Flores Hotel
A sister company of Ramada Bintang Bali Hotel in Kuta - is the first 4 stars hotel in Flores and East Nusa Tenggara. All rooms (59 deluxe and 2 deluxe suite) are ocean facing. Facilities include restaurant on the 1st floor, swimming pool for adult and children (possible for dive course for beginners), rooftop lounge for bar which can be changed to meeting room set up.
A sister company of Ramada Bintang Bali Hotel in Kuta - is the first 4 stars hotel in Flores and East Nusa Tenggara. All rooms (59 deluxe and 2 deluxe suite) are ocean facing. Facilities include restaurant on the 1st floor, swimming pool for adult and children (possible for dive course for beginners), rooftop lounge for bar which can be changed to meeting room set up.
Puri Komodo Resort - Batu Gosok
Sets on the northwest tip of Flores island of Indonesia, this location well known with Batu Gosok, secluded peninsula. 250.000 square meters of land hideaway guaranteed to thrill snorkelers, divers and adventurers. A magnificent secluded cove with over 1.000 meters of white sandy beach and a wooden jetty protruding 450 meters into the coral rich turquoise waters. Opulent sea gardens in colors of purple, yellow, blue and fuchsia blend with brightly colored tropical fish drifting aimlessly amongst the coral.
Sets on the northwest tip of Flores island of Indonesia, this location well known with Batu Gosok, secluded peninsula. 250.000 square meters of land hideaway guaranteed to thrill snorkelers, divers and adventurers. A magnificent secluded cove with over 1.000 meters of white sandy beach and a wooden jetty protruding 450 meters into the coral rich turquoise waters. Opulent sea gardens in colors of purple, yellow, blue and fuchsia blend with brightly colored tropical fish drifting aimlessly amongst the coral.
Golo Hilltop Hotel
This hotel is run by two Dutch women and presents a pleasant family atmosphere. The bungalows are spacey, bright and clean. Each bungalow has its own balcony providing nice views of the ocean and a daily sunset.
This hotel is run by two Dutch women and presents a pleasant family atmosphere. The bungalows are spacey, bright and clean. Each bungalow has its own balcony providing nice views of the ocean and a daily sunset.
Gardena Hotel & Restaurant
Gardena offers traditional wooden bungalows located in the tourist center of Labuan Bajo. A convenient and perfect place to stay for explorations of West Flores or for a trip to Komodo. Relax on the veranda while you enjoy the splendid view of Labuan Bajo harbor.
Gardena offers traditional wooden bungalows located in the tourist center of Labuan Bajo. A convenient and perfect place to stay for explorations of West Flores or for a trip to Komodo. Relax on the veranda while you enjoy the splendid view of Labuan Bajo harbor.
Chez Felix Hotel
Chez Felix is a family run hotel, located on a hill side, just 200 meters from the Labuan Bajo tourist center. Enjoy a splendid view and the spectacular sunsets at the hotel’s open air restaurant. Both Indonesian and European food is available. Indonesian buffets are available for group tours. Hotel’s rooms are very clean.
Chez Felix is a family run hotel, located on a hill side, just 200 meters from the Labuan Bajo tourist center. Enjoy a splendid view and the spectacular sunsets at the hotel’s open air restaurant. Both Indonesian and European food is available. Indonesian buffets are available for group tours. Hotel’s rooms are very clean.
Cendana Hotel
A nice, family-atmosphere hotel located just 3 km south of Labuan Bajo. Enjoy large clean rooms with generous terraces and direct access to an untouched beach. The friendly staff will make your holiday a pleasure.
