Somewhere between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores in the East Nusatenggara province of Indonesia, lies a vast land packed with eruptive volcanoes, tropical rain forests, terrestrial flora and fauna, and…. dragons.
Sprawling across 2,000 sq km of area, Komodo National Park has been a subject of interest for both global travellers and scientists studying the theory of evolution. It has even inspired grand cinematic projects like King Kong and Jurassic Park. Reason? The park is home to approximately 3,300 giant monitor lizards whose appearance and fierce behaviour have led to them being called ‘Komodo dragons’.
Approximately reaching 9.8 feet in length and weighing over 70 kg on average, these wild beasts are considered as the world’s largest reptiles. Featuring flat heads, bowed legs, long thick tails, and fork-shaped tongues, Komodo dragons may seem docile and slow, but they can run and swim up to 20 kph and are aggressive predators. They are found wild nowhere else in the world, and hence, obviously are the biggest draw in the region.
But that’s not the only reason why you must visit Komodo National Park at least once in your lifetime. It is recognised as a global conservation priority area and conveniently sits in the heart of the Asia Pacific Coral Triangle, meaning it is home to one of the world’s richest marine environments. With quite a diverse terrain and 29 volcanic islands, the park is every thrill-seeker’s wildest dream come true.
Intrepid travellers can go volcano trekking, making their way through rugged hillsides, grass woodland savannahs, white sandy beaches, glittering blue waters, and hidden tribal villages. Aside from the magnificent giant lizards, Komodo National Park is also inhabited by elusive and lesser-known wild creatures roaming free in their natural settings both on land and water.
Step into the great outdoors, and you are bound to have surprising encounters with at least 12 snake species, nine lizard species, the Timor deer (the main prey of the Komodo), water buffalos, wild boars, the endemic Rinca rat, fruit bats, the orange footed scrub fowl, and over 40 species of birds.
Dive into the endless waters and you will find wide varieties of dolphins, whales, dugongs, sea turtles, manta rays, sea reptiles, crustaceans, and thousands of species of tropical fish amid rich coral reefs.
If you are fan of scenic hikes, ascend one of the many grassy hills on Padar Island to be swept away by the surrounding gorgeous green, white, and blue hues offered by crescent-shaped beaches, beautiful trails, and breathtaking sunsets. Pantai Merah is one in only seven beaches in the world to have a glowing soft pink tinge, thanks to the degradation of red coral in combination with the pristine white sand. It has truly earned its sobriquet of the ‘Pink Beach’!
Do not back without visiting Pulau Koaba. Also popular as the Kalong Island, it is popular for being home to giant flying fox bats, which are commonly known as kalong in the local language. These mystical creatures are the main attraction of this hidden island, and offer an enthralling sunset spectacle when thousands of them soar over thick mangrove forests as soon as the dusk falls.
If there’s any time left, arrive at Mesa Island, which is home to the local Bajau tribe. Get a glimpse of the traditional life led by these remarkable sea nomads with friendly faces, excellent fishing skills, and indigenous stilt houses along the shoreline.
TD Recommends: Join Responsible Travel in one of their many adventures to Komodo National Park. Their well-organised Komodo Island trips ensure travellers can see these fascinating, fearsome creatures in their natural habitat, while also helping their conservation and the human communities that share the islands with the largest lizards on Earth.
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Copyright © 2022 Mediascope. All Right Reserved.