Trans-Flores Highway: Birdwatching way

The trans-flores highway winds some 700 km through the scenic mountains of the island,, from Labuhanbajo in the west, to Larantuka on the island’s eastern tip. Most of the road is paved, and it passes through all 5 of Flores’s district capitals.

Labuhanbajo-Ruteng (126 km) 4 hrs

Ruteng-Bajawa (130 km) 4 hrs

Bajawa-Ende (126 km) 4 hrs

Ende-Moni (Keli Mutu) (52 km) 1,5 hrs

Moni-Maumere (96 km) 3 hrs

Maumere-Larantuka (137 km) 4 hrs

Transport

Public buses-cheap, reliable, and crowded-shuttle continuously back and forth along the highway. Most of the buses run during the day, although there area a few night expresses. No single bus makes the entire run; usually they are based in one district capital and just run to the next and back.

Chartering your own vehicle costs $40-60/day but allows you plenty of flexibility-essential for birding! Side-trips depend on the type of vehicle and the state of the roads. Check the state of the vehicle very carefully; many bemos are not fit for the out-of-town roads, nor are all the drivers competent. Remember that map distances often have little relevance to travel time.

Birdwatching in Nusa Tenggara: Komodo National Park

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 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.