Holiday in Komodo

About Komodo

The Komodo National Park in the Indonesian province of East Nusa Tenggara is home to the legendary Komodo dragons — the largest living lizards in the world, which can grow up to three meters long and weigh 70 kilograms. Around 3,000 of these prehistoric predators roam the dry savannas and monsoon forests of the islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Gili Motang. An encounter with these dragons, which can take down water buffalo with their toxic saliva, is a natural experience that cannot be found anywhere else on Earth. Established in 1980, the national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. Rinca Island is often even more fruitful for wildlife observations than Komodo itself, as the dragons are more frequently found near the coast here. Ranger-led hikes are mandatory — the animals are usually sluggish but unpredictable. In addition to the Komodo dragons, the park is home to Timor deer, wild boars, buffalo, and over 150 bird species, including the rare yellow-crested cockatoo. Padar Island offers one of the most spectacular viewpoints in all of Indonesia: After a steep, approximately 30-minute ascent, a 360-degree panorama opens up over three differently colored bays — white, black, and pink. The famous Pink Beach (Pantai Merah) owes its pink hue to fragments of red corals mixing with the white sand and is one of only a few pink beaches worldwide. Underwater, the Komodo National Park is a world-class diving and snorkeling paradise. Strong currents bring nutrient-rich water that attracts manta rays, reef sharks, turtles, and an overwhelming diversity of corals. Dive sites like Batu Bolong, Castle Rock, and Manta Point are among the best in Southeast Asia. The best time to visit is from April to December during the dry season.