Tourskomodo.com - 07 Jun 2008

The endogenous Komodo dragons are the iconic mascots of West Flores. Komodo and its surrounding islands were designated as a National Park in 1980. In 1996 UNESCO declared the Park as a "Word Nature Heritage Site,” with the further designation of “Men and Biosphere."

Park information:
* Located between the islands of Flores and Sumbawa
* Covers an area of between 1,875 and 2,321 square kilometers
* Consist of three main Islands: Komodo, Rinca and Padar
* Famous for its pre-historic Komodo ‘’Dragons’’ – found only in this area of the world
* Home to one of the richest marine environments in the world
* Excellent coral reefs
* Outstanding diving spots

Facilities:
* Rangers’ house, restaurant and information center are located on both Komodo and Rinca Island
* Currently the 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, this will allow an early morning trek in the reserve

How to get there

* Labuan Bajo (West Flores) is the starting point to explore the Komodo National Park. Regular flights operate from Bali (Denpasar) to Labuan Bajo. You can also travel overland from Bali by private vehicle or public bus and inter-island ferries
* The travel time from Labuan Bajo to Komodo Island is 4 hours by boat, and 2 hours from Labuan Bajo to Rinca Island
* Overnight accommodation is possible either at the rangers’ house or on the deck of a local excursion boat
* Arrangement for accommodation at the Park can be done with Travel Agents, West Flores guides or directly with the local boat owners
* Local excursion boat

Komodo Island:
* Loh Liang is the main landing point to see Komodo dragons on Komodo Island
* Komodo dragons are often seen at the dry river bed Banu Nggulung, a half-hour walk from Loh Liang. When Komodo dragons were still fed before park visitors (a practice discontinued many years ago), Banu Nggulung was the traditional feeding ground. You are also likely to spot dragons looking for food around the Rangers’ camp in Loh Liang
* Hiking around the island is possible with a local guide. A round-trip climb up the slopes of Gunung Ara (580m) takes around 3.5 hours. Or: Consider hiking to Poreng Valley, located 5.5km from Loh Liang. Along the way you may encounter Komodo dragons as well as buffaloes, wild boar, and a wide variety of bird species
* Visit Komodo village, a friendly, Muslim Buginese village only a half-hour walk from Loh Liang
* Snorkeling and relaxing at Pantai Merah (Red Beach) or Pulau Lasa should be on the ‘’must do’’ list for Komodo Park visitors

Rinca Island:
* Loh Buaya is the access point to see Komodo dragons on Rinca Island
* You may see the dragon around the camp at Loh Buaya
* Local guides generally know the spots where the Komodo dragons usually take a sunbath
* On a hiking tour you may also see long-tailed macaques, wild water buffaloes, Timor deer, wild horses, boars, and rare megapode birds

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