The Komodo National Park

The Komodo National Park is the only place in the world where you can see the last dragons on Earth alongside stunning beaches and dense jungles. Dare to visit the Komodo dragons in their natural habitat and experience the unique nature of Indonesia!

The Komodo National Park in Indonesia is one of the most extraordinary places in the world. This is home to the largest lizards on the planet, the Komodo dragons. Each year, around 10,000 visitors flock to the islands of the national park, providing an unmatched experience. Navigate through the jungle in search of the Indonesian dragons and snorkel with dozens of manta rays. Anyone who has visited the Komodo National Park will never forget it!

The Komodo National Park in Indonesia is truly an extraordinary place. Located between Sumbawa and Flores and just 1.5 flight hours from Bali, it spans the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Padar, and several smaller outlying islands that are (still) not touristically developed. Established in 1980, it serves today as a sanctuary for the last free-ranging Komodo dragons in the world, as well as the diverse plant and underwater life of the region. Since 1991, it has also been a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Every year, numerous visitors come to the park to see the original nature and, of course, the Komodo dragons. However, the giant lizards are not the only reason to visit the national park: many sambar deer (the main food source of the dragons), wild boars, Javanese monkeys, and even water buffalo and wild horses also live in the national park. The underwater world is also a true paradise for snorkelers and divers. The colorful biodiversity in the water and the high population of manta rays make the Komodo National Park a popular diving spot.

Before traveling to the Komodo National Park, it's advisable to thoroughly research the climate. The islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Flores experience distinct rainy seasons. From mid-November to March, heavy rainfall occurs regularly. As it is quite warm year-round in Indonesia, the humidity increases during this time. Therefore, the best time to visit is from April to October. April can still see some isolated heavy showers, but the landscape remains beautifully green during this time. The average temperature ranges between 21 and 33 degrees Celsius, roughly around 30 degrees in the dry months. More detailed information can be found in the article about the best travel time for Indonesia in our travel calendar.

The islands of Komodo, Rinca, and Padar are the only islands in the park that are accessible to tourists. They can only be reached by sea; there is no airport there. The easiest way to get to the park is via Flores Island. From Bali or Java, you can fly directly to Labuan Bajo, where most tours to Komodo National Park start. Flights from Denpasar on Bali to Labuan Bajo cost between €60 and €130 depending on the season.

The port city in western Flores is the perfect starting point for your trip, as there are numerous hotels, restaurants, and providers for guided tours to Komodo or Rinca. The cost for an overnight stay is quite reasonable. From €6.50 including breakfast, you can stay in a dormitory of a hostel or book a decent hotel from €40 per night. There is something for every budget here. Although Labuan Bajo itself is not necessarily one of the most spectacular travel destinations in Indonesia, if you want to go to the national park, you can't avoid this place.

Traveler Tip: Use your stay in Labuan Bajo to withdraw cash, if necessary - there are no ATMs in the national park!

The ancient lizards originally come from Australia but now only live in the area of the Komodo National Park. They can grow up to three meters long and weigh about 70 kilograms. They are considered carnivorous and scavengers, and are also regarded as aggressive. However, attacks on humans are rare. Nevertheless, these dragons can seriously injure or even kill a person, which is why you are only allowed to visit the islands of Komodo and Rinca with a local guide. The guides have experience with the dragons and ensure that a sufficient safety distance is maintained between you and the animals. Although they may seem sluggish when resting in the shade under the trees to escape the midday heat, they can run and swim very fast when necessary. Always keep in mind that these are wild animals when searching for the impressive Komodo dragons.

Upon arriving in Labuan Bajo, you will find numerous providers offering excursions to the islands of Komodo and Rinca. You should take advantage of these, as you cannot access the islands on your own. Generally, you will find a similar program offered everywhere. You can choose how long your excursion should be. Do you want to just take a day trip, rushing through the most famous spots? Or do you have more time and want to soak in this special place at a leisurely pace? The choice is yours - nowadays, numerous providers offer multi-day tours on their boats. The price varies depending on the size and comfort of the ship.

The tours cost between €50 and €400, with an average three-day tour ranging from €170 to €260 per person. However, it's worth comparing prices and possibly bargaining. Also, pay attention to what is included in the price and what is important to you during your trip. Additionally, keep in mind that the entrance fee to the national park is now €30. This fee must be paid separately for multi-day tours.

Once you arrive on the islands, a guide will greet you (armed with a stick) and lead you across the island. During the hike, you will likely see a deer or two, but there is no guarantee of spotting the dragons. Since the animals live freely there, it also depends a bit on luck and chance whether you encounter one of these mystical creatures.

Many visitors report having seen more Komodo dragons on Rinca than on Komodo, although the population in relation to the size of the islands is actually equal. Your chances of discovering one of the Indonesian dragons increase when you reach the guides' camp. Here, dragons often hang around because they can smell food - or may even be fed. Fed or not, the dragons are still not domesticated animals. Behave calmly and passively and always maintain a safety distance of at least 5 meters. Then your trip to the dragon islands will surely be an experience you will never forget.

Good to know: Although feeding the Komodo dragons is prohibited, wealthy guests sometimes secretly hang deer in the trees to attract dragons. It is quite possible that you will discover such a deer in the trees.

We recommend making at least a two-day trip. The magic of the starry sky in the evening and the moment when the sun rises over the vast ocean horizon hours later is absolutely unique. It's worth a visit to the Komodo National Park just for these moments.

Moreover, on a multi-day tour, you also have the chance to stop at the best snorkeling and diving spots in the national park. At Pink Beach on Komodo, you can enjoy a relaxing break, splash in the clear water, and, of course, snorkel. Many colorful fish and corals await you in the water. However, what is truly special about Pink Beach is its varying intensity of pink coloring!

A snorkeling stop at Manta Point is also an absolute highlight. Here, not only colorful corals, various fish, and small seahorses await you, but also many manta rays. Swim alongside these giant creatures in the water and literally dive into another world. Such a unique moment does not come along every day.

Padar is one of the smaller islands in the Komodo National Park, but it is also accessible to tourists. Compared to Komodo and Rinca, it does not offer quite as much, but from here you can get one of the most beautiful views over the neighboring islands. A short uphill hike will take you to the highest point of the island, from which you have a fantastic view over the surrounding landscape.

Our colleague Caro from the graphics department traded the office in Holzwickede for the most beautiful places on the other side of the Earth in the fall of 2023 and set up her tent in Bali. The Komodo Island tour was by far her best experience!

My highlights from the tour:

What you must pack in your suitcase/backpack:

Caro's recommendation:

While many Asian countries benefit economically from the growing tourism, it also damages nature and disrupts the natural habitat of the animals. It's important for you as tourists: Always act in the spirit of the environment and design your stay to be as sustainable as possible. Please do not harm the environment by leaving trash behind, damaging plants, and allow animals their space without disturbing them.

The Komodo National Park is undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary places in the world. It is unique with its remaining Komodo dragons. In my opinion, it is one of the absolute highlights that should not be missed on an Asia trip. Set out on an adventurous hike across the island, experience the fascinating animals up close, enjoy the serene freedom at sunrise over the sea, and swim with majestic manta rays. The Komodo National Park is a true wanderlust destination that you should not miss.