Komodo National Park

Panorama of the beaches of Komodo Island

Located in the Indonesian archipelago, more specifically in the Lesser Sunda Islands, the Komodo National Park It is a "lost world" famous for the presence of the one known as Komodo dragon, an animal up to 3 meters in length worthy of a Jurassic Park sequel. Are you coming with us to this fascinating environment before it's too late? Later, you will find out why.

Introduction to Komodo National Park

Komodo National Park

Around the island of Flores, the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, in addition to many other islets, make up the paradise of the Komodo Islands, a place where perceptions of time and space seem swept away by an ancient breeze. Here, corals macerate dreamy beaches, the jungle contrasts with arid environments and species of all kinds and sizes kneel before the great king of the area: the Komodo dragon, a creature up to 3 meters in length and 70 kilos in weight.

Considered as the largest lizard in the world, the Komodo dragon comes from the genus Varanus, originated in Asia 40 million years ago and spread to Australia, although the natives of Indonesia were differentiated from the rest 4 million years ago thanks to an increase in tides that helped separate (and differentiate) the different subspecies.

Become the main star of zoos around the world, the Komodo dragon began to be studied by scientists at the beginning of the 1980th century, with the Indonesian islands being the only place where it still survives. Opened in XNUMX, considered as Natural Heritage of Humanity in 1986 by Unesco and one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World in 2007, the Komodo National Park is one of the essential places as a stopover during a visit to the Indonesian archipelago, especially to an island in Bali that provides different accesses to the area.

Visiting the Komodo National Park

Komodo Dragon in Indonesia

Taking advantage of the claim focused on the Komodo dragon, the national park also includes many other species encompassed within a unique ecosystem. An ideal visit for nature lovers that can take up to 3 days to discover the full potential of this unique sanctuary.

Unlike the rest of the islands that surround it, the Komodo National Park enjoys a mostly desert landscape, ideal for the development of this animal. As we mentioned, the visit is distributed between the islands of Komodo, Rinca and Padar, which are made up of two parts of water, being its corals and reefs other of its great natural paradises.

When accessing the park, the only way is to do it by boatEither from points such as Bali or the island of Flores itself, specifically Labuan Bajo, the closest place to the park.

If you decide on the Rinca islandThis includes the Komodo dragon as the main attraction, being able to spot it after a walk of just over an hour accompanied by a local guide. Rinca also offers the opportunity to get closer to the kalong island, famous for the presence of flying foxes (a kind of fruit bat) or snorkeling in the waters of the island of Penggah.

If in your case, you prefer to directly access the Padar islandHere you can ascend to the viewpoint that will allow you to see the three bays of the territory.

Por último, la komodo island, the great star of any tour, it is arid and wild, although it has a greater extension of thickness. After an hour and a half walk, you will be able to access the different points where these impressive animals always dwell, of course, accompanied by a guide.

If you are looking to do more activities in Komodo, this not only includes impressive pink beaches thanks to the type of coral it encompasses (Pink Beach, 20 minutes from the island), but also numerous corners where to practice diving. And it is that in Komodo there are more than 1000 different marine species, including from whales to turtles.

A paradise where you can find different accommodations that fit all budgets. All this, not to mention the different services offered by the different specialized agencies in the park.

An island that, unfortunately (or luckily), you will not be able to visit in 2020, having to postpone your adventure for the following year or take advantage of the next few months to fulfill your traveling dream.

Park closure in 2020

Komodo National Park panorama

Despite its fame and beauty, the island of Komodo, and specifically its magnificent beasts, recently entered the lUnesco ist of Endangered Species, which has led local authorities to rethink the situation of the park.

Hence, the Indonesian government recently decided close access to it throughout the year 2020 as a way to promote the protection and repopulation of an increasingly threatened species, not to mention many others, including deer and buffalo, the main prey for the Komodo dragon.

In this way, throughout all of 2020 (and perhaps 2021), the island of Komodo will prevent any tourist visit. At the same time, the option of relocating its inhabitants in order to provide them with a new livelihood is also being reconsidered, which has generated various controversies in the territory.

However, not all will be bad news for the traveler arriving in Indonesia, since the government will continue to facilitate access to the national park through the islands of Rinca and Padar. Unlike Komodo, these will continue to be accessible to the tourist who sets out in search of the sighting of the Komodo dragon.

As you can see, the importance of this magnificent creature has become a matter of concern for a government that aims to oxygenate one of the most important natural areas in the world.

One that seems taken from a Jurassic Park movie and that turns any adventure to the Indonesian archipelago into the best reason to peek into a lost world full of discoveries and contrasts.

Would you like to visit the Komodo National Park?


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