Komodo
Komodo is a beautiful island that offers great birding, as well as a chance to see the famous komodo “dragons”.
Komodo National Park
The komodo National Park, world famous as the home of the world’s largest lizard, covers the 335 km by 15 km Komodo island and its slightly smaller neighbour, Rinca, as well as many smaller islands in between. The dry, lontar palm-studied landscapes set in sparkling blue seas create a delightful birdwatching setting. As well as Komodo Dragons and birds, there are fruit-bat roost in the mangroves and some good snorkeling.
Key species
Key species
Key species one of the last strongholds of yellow-crested Cockatoo; Orange-footed Scrubfowl are easy to see. Other notable species are ; Great-billed Heron, Green Junglefowl, Beach Thick-knee, Green and Pied Imperial Pigeon, Nicobar Pigeon, Wallacean Cuckoo-shrike.
Other wildlife
Komodo dragons, fruit bats in the mangroves at Pulau Kalong, superb corals at Pantai Merah. Feral horses, buffalo, and wild boar. Flying Fox roost, Green turtles, sharks and dolphins in surrounding seas.
Getting there
Reach Komodo by daily ferry from either Sape on Sumbawa (departs 8.00 am, 6 hrs, $5) or Labuhanbajo on Flores (departs 8.00 am, 4 hrs, $3). Transfer from ferry to shore by small boat ($2). You can also charter a boat from aither of these ports: the longer and more dangerous trip from sape cost $175-350 depending on the type and condition of the boat: from Labuhanbajo aim to pay $50-100.
Komodo’s sister island, Rinca (which also has “dragons”), is reached by chartered boat from Labuhanbajo. Many hotels and travel agencies offer a day-trip pckage for $35 on a small fishing boat that can carry 8-10 people. The crossing takes 2 hrs.
Accommodation/dining
On Komodo the National Park Headquarters at Loh Liang is the only accommodation on the island. Although it has 80 beds in shared cabins, in the peak season (June-August) it is often overcrowded and you may have to sleep on the floor. A canteen serves simple Indonesia meals and drinks.
A Rinca the National Park has similar accommodation (8 rms only) and a canteen at Loh Bay.
General Information
The best time to visit is from Mar-May and Sep-Dec. the park entrance fee is IDR 4,000. guides are compulsory for excusions. From Loh Liang to Banu Nggulung the cost is IDR 5,000. expect to pay $8-12 for larger trips.