Komodo National Park — In the Realm of Dragons

The Komodo National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991) includes three large islands — Komodo, Rinca, and Padar — as well as numerous smaller islands. It protects the last habitat of the Komodo dragons, the largest living lizards in the world, and one of the planet's most species-rich underwater worlds.

Komodo Dragons — The Last Dragons

The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) reaches up to three meters in length and over 70 kilograms in weight. With its forked tongue, it senses prey from kilometers away. Its bite is venomous — a cocktail of toxins lowers the victim's blood pressure and prevents blood clotting. A bitten animal dies within days, and the dragon patiently follows it. There are about 3,000 specimens in the wild.

The animals appear sluggish but are capable of explosive sprints — up to 20 km/h. On the hiking trails of the islands, visitors are always accompanied by rangers who carry long wooden sticks (the only defense). The dragons are accustomed to humans but are not harmless.

The Islands

• Komodo Island: The largest island, home to most dragons. Several trekking routes (short, medium, long) where you are almost guaranteed to see dragons — often right at the ranger post, where deer carcasses attract the animals. The long hike leads through savanna and monsoon forest.
• Rinca: Smaller, less touristy, but the dragons are often more visible. The trek leads through dry hilly landscapes with panoramic views. Many consider Rinca to be the more authentic experience.
• Padar Island: No dragons, but the most iconic viewpoint in Indonesia: After a 20-minute steep climb, you reach the summit with a 360-degree view over three bays in different colors — white, pink, and black. THE Instagram photo of Komodo.