The largest national park in the world doesn’t have bears, pandas, or even monkeys. But what it lacks in cuteness, it makes up for some of the unique species on earth. For example, over 95% of all known Komodo dragons live here, along with various other prehistoric-looking creatures.
This park also has some fascinating human history; It was once a prison colony and home to over 1,000 prisoners during the Japanese occupation in WWII. Now over 50,000 people live in two towns built as part of an eco-friendly initiative after the region was designated as a National Park in 1990.
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Why visit Komodo National Park?
You can see dragons- Yes, Komodo dragons are real and you can see them in the wild. These creatures can grow to be over 3 meters long and have a diet of mostly carrion supplemented by feral pigs, reptiles, and birds. Unfortunately, because they’re carnivores, they’re not cuddly, and you can’t hold them.
But seeing these fantastic creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. This is one of the few places in the world where you can see them in the wild without any barriers between you.
The world’s largest national park- Komodo National Park, is the world’s largest national park. Covering almost 3,000 km sq, it’s home to over 2,000 species of plants and over 1,000 species of animals. It also has some fascinating human history.
When to go?
This park is best visited from April to October when the weather is warm and dry, and humidity levels are low. The islands are located between the equator and the southern hemisphere, which is the “dry” season. Although it doesn’t rain much in the dry season, the water won’t be as straightforward as it will be during the wet season between December and February.
Where to stay?
There are a few options in the park to stay, and most can be booked through Komodo National Park Tours. The best is the island resorts, located right on the ocean and offering a variety of water sports.
There are hostels in both Labuan Bajo and Rinca, the two main towns in the park. Homestays in the nearby villages are also a great way to get a more authentic cultural experience. You can also camp in the national park, but you’ll need a permit first.
What to see?
The dragons – Yes, Komodo dragons are genuine and you can see them in the wild. These creatures can grow to be over 3 meters long and have a diet of mostly carrion supplemented by feral pigs, reptiles, and birds.
Because they’re carnivores, they’re not cuddly, and you can’t hold them. But seeing these fantastic creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This is one of the few places in the world where you can see them in the wild without any barriers between you. The islands – Rinca and Komodo are the two main islands of the National Park and the only ones where dragons live.
However, you can also see them on nearby smaller islands where they’re kept in captivity. You can also visit the unique villages where the people who live inside the park were relocated and the remains of a prison built by the Japanese during World War II when this area was used as a POW camp.
Activities in Komodo National Park
Komodo scuba diving is the most popular activity. It has been famous, especially as scuba diving in Komodo is unique. Komodo scuba diving is reserved exclusively for advanced divers, but that is far from the truth. As much as many dive sites require diving experience, so much so there are dive sites perfectly suitable for beginner divers as well.
You can dive in one of the park’s most famous dive sites: Batu Bolong, Shotgun, Crystal Rock, or Castle Rock.
Final words
The Komodo National Park is the world’s largest national park and the only place you can see Komodo dragons in the wild. It’s a fascinating destination that combines unique wildlife with fascinating human history and some of the best diving in the world. There are also many other exciting things to do and see, including visiting nearby waterfalls, trekking to see rice paddies, and exploring the ruins of a prison.
