Komodo National Park, Indonesia The Complete Guide

Sure, here’s the Liputan article talking about the latest increase in the main fees (entrance, guide, and Padar). There hasn’t been any other increase announced for 2024, although there are some smaller fees they add on, like the ones I mentioned. Rp 1 million is per person, but it’s an approximation, and that’s the high end of what you might pay. It should be lower in many cases, maybe around 500k, especially if you’re traveling in a group, because like you said the ranger fees and possibly others can be shared between 1-5 people. It’s all very confusing and I wish they’d just go to a flat fee so it’s easier to understand. If you suspect a company of trying to overcharge you, I’d ask them how much they’re charging for the park fees and try to get a complete breakdown of the costs, if you can.

Always check that there are enough life vests for everyone on board. “Visiting Komodo National Park was the most exciting time of my travels through Indonesia and seeing the Komodo dragons was a thrilling and unforgettable experience! Nothing quite prepares you for the sight and size of these remarkable beasts.” Lisa Barham, Writer at South East Asia Backpacker It should be noted that it’s only possible to explore the hiking trails with a guide, so even if you arrive independently you won’t be able to wander the islands at will.

• Initially created to protect the Komodo dragon, the park’s mandate soon expanded to preserve the surrounding marine ecosystems.
• This increase in funding brought the weekly prize total for all Tuesday events to $5,000.
• It’s all very confusing and I wish they’d just go to a flat fee so it’s easier to understand.
• Two of the large islands, Komodo and Rinca, hold two of the largest populations on the island with three smaller ones being Padar, Gili Motang, and Nusa Kode.

Komodo Entrance Fee

A stretch of pure white sand surrounded by sea as clear as glass and distant views of volcano islands, this is the kind of place you might imagine paradise would look like. Technically a chicken road sandbank rather than an island, Taka Makassar is a popular stop on tours of the park. While the crowds mean the place lacks any Robinson Crusoe-like appeal it might otherwise have, the breathtaking surroundings make it a worthwhile port of call. It’s possible to see all the main sites in Komodo National Park in one day. If you’d prefer to slow things down and have more time for snorkelling or diving, a multi-day boat trip would be best.

Strong currents and waves separated the stranded passengers and crew who were floating at sea in life jackets. The hot and dry climate of the park, characterized by savannah vegetation, makes it a good habitat for the endemic Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis). Their populations are restricted to the islands of Komodo (1,700), Rinca (1,300), Gili Motang (100), Gili Dasami (100), and Flores (c. 2,000), while extinct on Padar. It can therefore be considered a form of correspondence chess. The winner of the Championship is the player who accumulates the most points in the final round. Hi Chris, I’ll respond here in case anyone else had the same questions.

It’s all very confusing, but the total for the park fees should be under 1 million Rupiah. Do you have any recommendations for an upscale two or three day liveaboard boat? Seeing wild Komodo dragons was a cool experience, and the rest of Flores is amazing too. They’re already endangered, and their habitat is very limited.

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There are also flights to the Labuan Bajo airport from Jakarta, Surabaya, Ende, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore. There are a bunch of flights to Labuan Bajo airport (LBJ) every day from Bali, with a 1 hour flight time and several airlines offering ticket prices as low as 1 million Rupiah. Komodo island is part of the Komodo National Park, a group of tropical islands located just off the coast of Flores, in east Indonesia. This travel guide for Komodo will explain how to get there, where to stay, what to do in the islands, and everything else you need to know before you go! This is one of the easier hiking opportunities across the national park.

Some of the most popular spots include Manta Point (the longest reef in the national park), Turtle Point, Manjarite Point and Kanawa Island. The top activity on a visit to Komodo National Park is of course witnessing the giant reptiles that call this small corner of the world home. Komodo dragons are endemic to just a handful of islands and Komodo Island and Rinca Island are the best places to see them. A tour will usually visit one or the other and both islands offer excellent opportunities to spot the huge lizards on a short guided trek.

On average, each village has four classes and four teachers. Most of the children from the small islands in the Kecamatan Komodo (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, Papagaran, Mesa) do not finish elementary school. Less than 10% of those who do graduate from elementary school continue to high school since the major economic opportunity (fishing) does not require further education. Children must be sent to Labuan Bajo to attend high school, but this is rarely done in fishermen’s families.

• This is one of the easier hiking opportunities across the national park.
• Guests highly rate the friendly host, who is also a park ranger and offers guided tours of the island.
• If you like the idea of a multi-day boat adventure but prefer a little comfort, a cruise from Flores is a great option.
• As I was walking in Seminyak, which is near the shops, I saw a massive Komodo dragon in one of the streams that are between two buildings.
• The history of the Komodo Islands is a story of discovery, protection, and harmony between humans and nature.

The Komodo Dragon: Star of the park

Most pressure on marine resources originates from fishing communities and commercial enterprises from outside the park. However, regulations and restrictions on resource use impact mostly on park residents, who have few options to make a living but rely on what the park has to offer. The provision of alternative livelihoods is part of the overall management strategy, but communities within the park are yet to benefit from appropriate measures addressing their needs. Twelve terrestrial snake species are found on the island in addition to marine species. Lizards include nine skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae), limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and the monitor lizards such as the Komodo dragon (Varanidae). Frogs include the Asian bullfrog (Kaloula baleata), the endemic Komodo cross frog (Oreophryne jeffersoniana) and Oreophryne darewskyi.

Hiking Mount Kasikasima In Suriname: My Experience

Komodo dragons are typically around 2 metres in length and weigh around 60–70 kg. The largest ever recorded was more than 3 m long and weighed a hefty 166 kg! While not actually within Komodo National Park, the stop at Saleh Bay (also known as Whale Shark Point) is one of the highlights of the Lombok to Flores boat trip. Here, just off the island of Sumbawa, you can swim with the world’s largest fish – the magnificent whale shark. Mangrove-covered Kalong Island is home to huge colonies of bats.

Whale sharks, sunfish, rays, seahorses, and octopuses are some of the more popular. However, the leading species is the Komodo dragon which is the world’s largest lizard. The park is comprised of 29 different islands with Komodo, Padar, and Rinca being the largest three.

Practical information: How to reach Komodo National Park

The color comes from tiny organisms in the coral called foraminifera. You can find hotels and accommodation here to suit all budgets, from backpacker to luxury. However, it’s a little bit more pricey than Bali on average, because the development in Labuan Bajo hasn’t quite caught up to the number of tourists coming here. Getting to Komodo island from Bali is easier than ever now that AirAsia flies between them several times per week.

When it’s time to sleep, you can choose between cozy cabins or, if you’re feeling adventurous, a mattress on deck under the open sky. The rhythmic sway of the boat and the distant calls of nocturnal creatures lull you into a peaceful slumber. By morning, you wake to the golden glow of sunrise spilling over the horizon, ready to snorkel with mantas or trek across one of the park’s iconic islands. Liveaboard stays offer a sense of freedom and immersion that’s hard to match each day a new adventure, each night a moment of serenity. The boat reaches the national park on day three, where passengers can enjoy trekking on Padar Island, relaxing on the oh-so-Instagrammable Pink Beach and searching for Komodo dragons on Komodo Island. On day four, passengers are dropped at the town of Labuan Bajo on the island of Flores.

I visited Komodo Island in July and saw more than a dozen! There are around 3,000–3,500 Komodo dragons living in the national park. Many tours will stop at just one of the two main islands in Komodo National Park, so you may be wondering which one you should visit. Rinca is significantly closer to Flores (around 2 hours by boat) and is a more accessible experience with easier trails. Komodo (3–4 hours from Flores by boat) is more wild and rugged with trails marked by raw natural landscapes.

(Kalong means bat in Bahasa.) Visit at dusk to witness the spectacle of thousands of these small winged creatures flying off into the night in search of a meal on the neighbouring islands. The entrance fee for visiting Komodo National Park is around 700,000 IDR (approx. $44 USD). One-day tours cost around 1,500,000 IDR (approx. $95 USD). If you’re a diver and want even longer to explore the underwater world around the park, consider a five or seven-day liveaboard that will allow you to discover some of the area’s best dive sites. In early 2019, the Nusa Tenggara Timor (NTT) provincial governor Viktor Laiskodat announced a plan to close a section of the park (a main section on Komodo Island) for a year in order to make improvements.

The population of dragons is larger on Komodo, but the island’s size means they are more spread out. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, both islands provide excellent opportunities for dragon-spotting. Park managers have been conducting demographic status of the current living Komodo dragon populations across Komodo National Park. Komodo National Park contains five islands that inhabit Komodo dragons populations which hold the most desirable resources for the protected species. Two of the large islands, Komodo and Rinca, hold two of the largest populations on the island with three smaller ones being Padar, Gili Motang, and Nusa Kode.

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Until September 2025, games played were of the 3+1 format, meaning 3 minutes per player, with a 1 second increment—to be added each turn. Since 2 September 2025, the time control format was changed to 5+0, and the prize fund increased to a total of $3,000—with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place receiving $1,000, $750 and $350 respectively. In addition to the stand-alone «Top Woman» prize, the «Top 3 Streamers» category was added, with $100 each in additional weekly prizes.

The human population within the park spread out over four settlements (Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, and Papagaran), all of which existed before 1980 when the area was declared a national park. In 1928 there were only 30 people living in Komodo Village (known locally as Kampung Komodo), and approximately 250 people on Rinca Island in 1930. The population increased rapidly, and by 1999, there were 281 families numbering 1,169 people on Komodo Island. Komodo Village has had the highest population within the park, mostly due to migration by people from Sape, Manggarai, Madura, and South Sulawesi.

The history of the Komodo Islands is a story of discovery, protection, and harmony between humans and nature. These islands offer not only a glimpse into a prehistoric past but also an inspiring example of how conservation and tourism can work hand in hand. A visit to the Komodo Islands is not just a journey to a beautiful destination but also an opportunity to reflect on the importance of preserving our planet. Fishermen from surrounding islands, such as Flores, regularly visited Komodo and Rinca to fish, a tradition that continues to this day. During the Dutch colonial period, the Komodo Islands were largely ignored, except as a location for dragon research.