Komodo and Rinca are hilly and desolate yet beautiful island, sandwiched between Flores and Sumbawa are home to Gargantuan Reptiles, The legendary Komodo Dragon. The worldâ??s largest wizard, known locally as â??oraâ?? itâ??s can reach over 3 meters in length, weight over 100 kg, and feed on animals as large as deer and buffalo.
These isolated islands are surrounded by some of the most tempestuous water in Indonesia, fraught with riptides and whirlpools. From the sea they look a far more fitting habitat for monstrous reptiles than for the few hundred fishermen and their families who eke out a living in these parched lands.
Rinca receives just as many visitors as Komodo, because itâ??s nearest to the port of Labuanbajo in Flores â?? the main jumping â?? off point for trip to Komodo National Park. A steady stream of visitor make their way here these days, but to understand how far of the beaten track it used to be, read Zoo Quest for a Dragon by naturalist and broadcaster David Attenborough, who filmed the dragons in 1956. Dragon also inhabit Padar island and coastal areas of northwestern Flores.
Though these are hiking trails, itâ??s not permitted to walk them without a guide as dragons have very occasionally attacked (and killed) humans â?? two villagers have died in the last twenty years. Dragon are docile bunch for the most part, but they could snap you leg as fast as they will cut a goatâ??s throat.
You are pretty much guaranteed to see dragons whichever island you visit, as they have and extremely keen sense of smell and thereâ??s usually one or two sniffing around the kitchen at the visitors camp.
Komodo National Park
Komodo National Park is a World heritage site, encompasses Komodo, Rinca and several neighbouring islands and their incredible rich surrounding coral reef, mangrove and seas.
With Rp. 40,000.00 park entrance fee and the conservation fee (USD 15 for adult and USD 7.50 for under 16s), collected on arrival by rangers, buy three-day permit for both Komodo and Rinca.
Hiring a guide (Rp. 30,000) is both mandatory and very useful, as all speak some English and are very knowledgeable about the islandsâ?? flora and fauna and very carry a big stick. A Camera permit is another Rp 25,000.00.
Komodo is one of the driest corners of Nusa Tenggara and heavy rains are not common. However the seas are calmest between April and September.
Komodo Activities
Rugged Komodo, its gulley ridden hillside frazzled by the sun drying winds to a deep rusty red for most of the year, is the largest of the islands in the national park. The accommodation cam of Loh Liang, run by PHKA, is on of the east cost of the island. Various treks around the island can be organized with the PHKA office located here.
A half hour walk south of Loh Liang is the fishing village of Kampung Komodo. Itâ??s friendly Muslim Bugis village of stilt houses that full of goats, chicken and children. The inhabitants are said to be descendants of convicts exiled to the island in the 19th century by one of Sultans in Sumbawa.
Dragon Spotting
You are likely to see Dragons all year and Banu Nggulung, a dry river bed about a half hour walk from Loh Liang. The organized feeding of goat the dragons is a things of the past and dragons are now only fed here when PHKA wants to do a head count. Banu Nggulung still attracts dragons, but since the feeding stopped fewer dragon are turning up.
A Little â??grandstandâ? overlooks the river bed where the dragons gather. Spectator are fenced of from the dragons â?? donâ??t expect to walk up to the dragon and have them say â??cheeseâ?. A telephoto lens is handy but not essential. Itâ??s possible to spot dragons on some of the other walks, and a few â??pensionerâ? dragons (and lazy ones) can often be seen around the camp looking for food.
Hiking
Mosy visitors stay one night at Komodo and only visit Banu Nggulung, but Komodo has a number of other hikes and offer. All hikers must hire a guide to accompany them.
Walk from Loh Liang include the climb to Gunung Ara (mount Ara, 538 meter), around 3.5 hours return. The chance of seeing a dragon are slim, but there are expensive views from the top. Poreng Valley, 5.5 km from Loh Liang is another favorite dragons haunt and has a more out in the wild feeling than Banu Nggulung , the trail continuous to Loh Sebita. Event if you donâ??t spot Komodo, there is plenty of other wild life, such as buffaloes, wild boar and some of Komodoâ??s bird life.
Snorkeling, Diving and Liveaboard
Snorkeling and Diving in Komodo can arranged from Loh Liang , equipment coast about Rp. 50,000.00 and boat rental is Rp. 225,000.00 for 4 people. Good under water view can be found at Pantai Merah (Red Beach) and the small island, called Lasa island near Kampung Komodo.
Source: www.divingseasafari.com
