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Komodo National Park

Travel Guide Asia Indonesia Lesser Sunda Islands Komodo National Park

Introduction

Komodo Dragon - Rinca, Kmodo National Park

Covering the islands, and the sea area between them, of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, the Komodo National Park is a stunning place covering and area of 1,817 km² of which 603 km² of it is land. Originally founded in 1980 to prodect the largest lizard in the world, the Komodo Dragon, this park has been expanded its mission to protect all the different species in the park and sea life around it. The park offers great opportunities for hiking, scuba diving and bird watching/lizard watching.

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Sights and Activities

Komodo Dragons

The Komodo Dragon is the largest lizard in the world, belonging to the monitor lizard family. They can grow up to 2 to 3 metres on average and weigh 70 kilograms. These massive beasts can actually live up to 50 years. These animals are mean and have even been known to eat small children. Although they possess no venom, their mouths are home to some horrible bacteria that if bitten by it would kill any animal or person with out modern medicine in a couple of days. Most Komodo Dragons just bite their prey once, walk away and let the animal die and slow and painful death from an infection, then go an eat it a few days later. It has also been known to knock over prey with its tail and use it front claws to kill its prey. Remember to watch these animals from a distance and they can move very quickly when they want to.

Scuba Diving

Anemone Fish - Tawan Besar, Komodo National Park

The crystal clear waters offer great scuba diving fan. The water is home to several species and the park helps to preserve there habitat. In recent years scuba diving has become more popular then lizard watching. For more information on diving read the website of Komodo National Park.

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Opening Hours

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Cost

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Getting There

By Plane

Pelita Air Service has flights from Bali and Maumere (Flores) to Komodo Airport (LBJ) in Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores. Merpati Nusantara Airlines flies to Bima Airport (BMU) from Bali and Surabaya.

By Train

By Car

By Bus

You can take a bus from Denpasar in Bali to Labuan Bajo or Bima.

By Boat

There are several different ferry services to and from Komodo Island. If interested Contact the Indonesia Sea Transportation Company (PELNI) at Jalan Raya Kuta No. 299, Tuban - Bali (Tel: 0361 - 763 963) to reserve a seat on the next boat. The trip takes about 36 hours and most ferries only leave ever 2 weeks on Saturdays or Thursdays. If you have a small group it is also possible to charter a local boat to the island if your located in Labuan Bajo or Bima.

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