The Island Of Komodo
Komodo Dragons
The island of Komodo (KOH-moh-DOH) is dry and barren, with rainfall occurring between November and March. It lies about three hundred miles east of Bali, between the Asian and Australian biogeographical zones—an interesting crossroads for species.
Birds from both zones are found on the island, such as the friarbirds of Australia and the monarch flycatchers of Asia. Komodo is a small island located between the islands of Sum bawa and Flores. The island has about eight hundred human inhabitants and double that number of dragons. Most of the other islands where the dragons live have no permanent human residents at all.
Visitors must pay a park entrance fee of 50,000 rupiah and a camera tax of 25,000 rupiah.
In addition to wildlife viewing, Komodo National Park offers some of the best diving and snorkeling in Indonesia. The waters are clear and the marine life is spectacular. Whales and dolphins travel through the area regularly. Visitors to this area should see the island of Rinca, which is just southeast of Komodo. It’s also part of Komodo National Park, but it offers a slightly different landscape and good dragon populations. Rinca is just a short boat ride from Komodo and Flores.
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