7 Interesting Facts About Komodo National Park You Need to Know Before Visiting
Komodo National Park is one of Indonesia’s little gems located in the center of the Indonesian archipelago. The marine life and the view on the surface offer a unique experience for the visitors. There are interesting facts you need to know about Komodo National Park before visiting this place.
Komodo National Park is situated in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. This place is famous because it’s the only place in the world where Komodo Dragons still live freely in their own habitat. Komodo National Park is identified as a global conservation priority area, encompassing unparalleled terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and covering an area of 2,321km2.
The park is also home to a wide range of other noteworthy terrestrial species, including the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. Additionally, the area is surrounded by some of the most diverse marine environments, including coral reefs, seagrass beds, seamounts, mangroves, and semi-enclosed bays. These habitats harbor more than 1,000 species of fish, around 260 species of reef-building coral, and 70 species of sponges. Dugongs, sharks, manta rays, at least 14 species of whales, sea turtles, and dolphins also make Komodo National Park their home.
Are you planning to visit Komodo National Park? Here are several fun facts you need to know about this park.
7 Interesting Facts About Komodo National Park
1. Established in 1980 by Indonesia.
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 by the Indonesian government as a sanctuary to protect the endangered and the world’s largest lizards, the Komodo Dragons. Later this place is also a sanctuary to protect other exotic animals such as snakes, birds, water buffaloes, marine crocodiles, etc.
2. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.
In 1991, the Komodo National Park has declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and a Man and Biosphere Reserve. UNESCO recognized the park to be the place to conserve the unique Komodo Dragon. Furthermore, WWF and Conservation International have designated the area as a global priority for conservation. Lastly, the park has established its global significance by being one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
3. Comprised of Three Large Islands.
Komodo National Park comprises three large islands; Padar Island, Rinca Island, and Komodo Island, and 26 smaller islands surround them. Each of the islands offers its magnificent beauty for the visitor to enjoy. Padar Island is famous for its hiking spot, also well known for its spectacular view of sunrise and sunset from its summit.
On Rinca Island and Komodo Island, you can see the wildlife of the Komodo Dragons in their habitat. You can explore the island by trekking with a companion of an experienced local ranger. If you’re lucky, you will witness how the Komodo Dragons eat, mating and fight. However, their chilling spots and nesting area are easy to find during your trekking.
4. Park Rangers Don’t Feed the Komodo Dragons.
The park rangers are in the area to observe and keep the Komodo Dragons, as well as the tourists. The park rangers let these predators live and hunt the animals such as deer, water buffalo, goats, and turtles on the island. Their tasks are explaining everything about Komodo dragons to the tourists and limiting all interactions between visitors and Komodo dragons.
5. The best Time to Visit is During the Dry Season.
The dry season is the best time to visit Komodo National Park, which runs from April to December. The weather is great, not too hot, with low to no chances of rain. The rainy season sometimes starts early in December, so if you don’t like getting wet, plan your trip before then. Komodo Dragons can be spotted all year round. Mating season runs between July and August, however, it’s quite challenging to spot komodo during nesting season, September to November.
6. Komodo Dragons are Cannibals.
The Komodo Dragons are carnivores, they eat other animals such as pigs, deers, and water buffaloes. Besides that, they eat other Komodo Dragons as well, especially the newborns. Fortunately, infant Komodo Dragons are very agile and can escape from hungry adult predators by climbing trees. On the tree, young Komodo Dragons are eating birds, small snakes, and other small animals that stay there.
However, unlike its name, this species is not a real dragon. They are, in fact, the largest lizards on earth. They can weigh up to 135 kilograms, and reach up to 3 meters long. The Komodo Dragons also have a very strong sense of smell. Like other lizards, they use the tip of their tongue to smell.
7. Consists of Beautiful Beaches, Trekking, and Diving Spots.
National Komodo Park is not only about Komodo Dragons, there are beautiful beaches with white, pink, and black sands, trekking and hiking spots, and some gorgeous diving spots. Komodo Island and Rinca Island are perfect for trekking while observing these giant lizards in the wild.
A hiking spot to see the magnificent view of the sunrise and sunset is Padar Island. Besides that, diving spots in Komodo National Park like Batu Bolong and Karang Makassar have attracted worldwide fellow divers to explore the area.
If you also want to explore the beauty of the Komodo National Park’s underwater, you will need more than a one-day trip to enjoy the diving. Finding a good deal of boat charter packages in Komodo can be quite challenging for most people.
The price may be too high, the boat facilities do not meet your needs, or you are not sure how to arrange your trip destinations. With Phinisi Luxury, we offer you some options of boats for you to enjoy.
Starting from deluxe facilities to VVIP boats with a capacity starting from 6 to 32 people. Our boat package includes full luxury boat facilities, professional crews, comfortable and spacious cabins, full board meals and non-alcoholic drinks, and excursions to several remote beaches and tourist attractions in Komodo National Park and the Labuan Bajo area. With our boats, you will have a more relaxing and enjoyable diving experience.
Final Thoughts
Komodo National Park is famous for the Komodo Dragons that live freely in their habitat. After the UNESCO declaration, the goals of conservation have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both marine and terrestrial. However, people are welcome to visit the park and observe the wildlife of Komodo, as well as enjoy the beauty of its underwater and terrestrial ecosystem in area.
There are many ways to explore and enjoy the stunning view of the terrestrial and marine ecosystem in Komodo National Park. You may think about having a one-day trip, or an Open Trip ( join a trip on a shared boat with other people), which also fits you who travel on a budget.
But, should you want to have a more relaxing journey in Komodo National Park, you might want to consider chartering a boat. The length of 3 days and 2 nights is enough to explore Komodo National Park.
When it comes to chartering a boat, it can be challenging to find which boat is suitable for your needs. You will need to find a trustworthy boat operator with reliable customer service. With Phinisi Luxury, we are here to assist and answer any questions you may have.
We have a variety of boat options for you to choose from with different capacities and types of facilities. Starting from deluxe facilities to VVIP boats with a capacity starting from 6 to 32 people. Our boat package includes full luxury boat facilities, professional crews, comfortable and spacious cabins, full board meals and non-alcoholic drinks, and excursions to several remote beaches and tourist attractions in Komodo National Park and the Labuan Bajo area.
We will be happy to assist you to arrange your trip in Komodo National Park. Visit our website for more details about the type of boats and our Instagram to see our customers’ experiences with us.
Should you need to talk to our Customer Service, you may contact us through WhatsApp or email to [email protected]. It will be our pleasure to assist you. See you in Komodo National Park!