With crystalline waters, pink coral-stained beaches, an explosion of marine life, along with an impressive landscape, The Komodo National Park is one of the most unbelievable tourist destinations in the world. The volcanic islands are home to the unique giant lizards that defy history and nature, commonly known as the Komodo Dragons. The park area is rich in biodiversity, and offers stunning views that will mesmerize you beyond belief. Read on to learn the 101 on the amazing Komodo National Park of Indonesia.
History and Establishment:
The national park was founded in 1980, to protect the largest lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, for its conservation of other species, including marine life. It is also known as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
Location:
Komodo National Park, located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, is composed of three major islands (Rinca, Komodo, and Padar) and numerous smaller ones, all of them of volcanic origin. Located at the juncture of two continental plates, this national park constitutes the “shatter belt” within the Wallacea Biogeographical Region, between the Australian and Sunda ecosystems. The area is identified as a global conservation priority area, comprising of errestrial and marine ecosystems, which spreads over a total area of 219,322 hectares.
Reaching Komodo National Park:
You can get to Labuan Bajo by plane with several direct daily flights from Denpasar (Bali), Jakarta and Surabaya (Java), Makassar (Sulawesi) and Praya (Lombok), as well as connections to the main towns on Flores. Indonesia has thousands of tourists coming in every day, so make sure you book your flights in advance.
Geography and Climate:
The Komodo National Park archipelago is a generally rugged area, characterized by rounded hills, with altitudes up to 735m. It has one of the driest climates in Indonesia with an annual rainfall of 800mm and 1000mm. Due to this factor, the destination is in perfect condition to be visited, any time of the year, although the period between April to November is the most popular.
The Komodo Dragon:
Most tourists visit the Komodo National Park, for its namesake: The Komodo Lizard, Varanus komodoensis. These giant lizards, existing no-where else in the world, are of great scientific interest, especially for their evolutionary implications. They are famous for their aggressive behaviour and terrifying appearance which resemble that of a great dragon. They grow up to become a massive length of 2 to 3 meters. They are the last representative of a relic population of large lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia. These are extremely dangerous animals, who would eat just about anything, so stick with your guide when you go exploring.
Fun fact: The female Komodo Dragon has both female and male chromosomes, so they can produce asexually if they can’t find a partner.
Other Animals:
The Komodo National Park provides refuge for many other notable terrestrial species such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. The rich coral reefs of Komodo host a great diversity of species, and the strong currents of the sea attract the presence of sea turtles, whales, dolphins and dugongs.
Images sourced from David Stanley, Adhi Rachidan, David Gorlo, and Charlie Marchant.
