Tourist Attractions in Komodo Island

Komodo Island in one of the islands that is Indonesia's mainstay of tourism in addition to the island of Bali and several other islands. The island is with Rinca Island, Padar Island, Motang Island and the surrounding small islands including the Komodo National Park Area which is protected by the Indonesian Government.

In addition to the Indonesian government, this exotic island was established by UNESCO in 1986 as one of the island's world heritage sites.This small island besides Komodo dragons, is also famous for its natural beauty. So it is not wrong if the Indonesia government intensively promotes it as one of its flagship tourist destinations.

History of Komodo Island

Komodo Island was discovered in 1910 by Lieutenant Steyn Van Hens Broek when he found news from his troops that there were dragon-shaped animals on this island. Curious. Lieutenant Broek went with the troops specifically to hunt the animals. After arriving at Komodo Island Lieutenant Broek managed to kill one Komodo dragon and his photo was sent to the Botanical Garden in Bogor for investigation.

In 1915 the Dutch government, which controlled the government at that time, banned the hunting of Komodo dragons on the island for fear that these rare animals would become extinct.

Location of Komodo Island

Komodo Island is located in the Komodo sub-district, West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Located to the east of Sumbawa Island, this island of East Nusa Tenggara which is the westernmost. With Sumbawa Island, Komodo Island is only separated by a strait, the Sape Strait.

to go to Komodo Island, we can follow the route as follows:

- from Jakarta to the city of Labuan Bajo (transit in the city of Denpasar, Bali).

From the city of Jakarta, we can fly to the city of Labuan Bajo with the Garuda Indonesia airline. But before going to the city of Labuan Bajo we have to transit first in the city of Denpasar, Bali. Flight time is around 3.5 hours at a price of around 1.500.000 IDR per person.

- from the city of Labuan Bajo take a boat to Komodo Island.

To go to the island of Komodo, we can rent local ships in the city of Labuan Bajo. The rental price also varies, but on average ranges from 1.500.000 IDR per day (for 12 passengers). By renting a boat, we can do the tour comfortably without being constrained again when heading to Komodo Island.

The beauty of nature

Extraordinary scenery is also found on this island. Its natural beauty is a combination of rocks, white sand, mangrove forests, grasslands and the waves on the beach. Mangroves and vast grasslands appear to be welcoming us while docked on the shores of the Komodo coast.

Komodo dragon

On this island there are habitat for endangered animals in the world, namely Komodo dragons. By local people known as Ora. Including the family of Varanidae and Klad Toxicofera monitor lizards, the komodo dragon is largest lizard in the world and has an average length of 2-3 meters. The mass can reach more than 70 kilograms. Komodo has a tail that is almost as long as its body. Komodo is a carnivorous animal.

Komodo dragon saliva sometimes mixes with blood because its teeth are almost entirely mixed with gingival tissue which allows it to be torn when eating its prey. Komodo also has a long tongue, slightly yellow and branched. This tongue besides functioning as a flavor like other reptiles can also be used to swallow or capture prey that is much smaller than it.

Komodo has no hearing even though it has an ear hole. These reptiles are able to see in the distance up to about 300 meters during the day, but when nighttime vision is not very clear due to the cone-shaped retina. The smell of the komodo dragon is very sharp, aided by the wind he can feel the existence of the carcass in a distance of about 4 kilometers. The ability of the Komodo dragon in this case is because the Komodo dragon's nostrils do not have a body cavity that gives them extraordinary kissing power. Komodo has scales that have stimulating power, even some of which are strengthened by bone. Scales that have more stimulation power are around the chin, lips, ears and feet.

Komodo actively moves and moves both during the day or night. Komodo can run 20 kilometers per hour and has the ability to swim and dive up to 4.5 meters from the surface of the water. This reptile is also capable of climbing trees using its claws. When capturing its prey, the Komodo dragon sneaks and moves attack it. If the prey is large, the Komodo dragon attacks it with a standing position and of course using its hind legs and tail as a support. The sharpness of his claws is able to tear and make his prey hurt.

Komodo dragon mating season usually takes place between May and August. During this period, male dragons will fight each other to get female dragons. The fight will end with the fall of the losing Komodo dragon. After winning the fight, the winning komodo will come to the female Komodo dragon and start rubbing her body and licking the female komodo with her tongue. If a female Komodo dragon receives a winning Komodo dragon, it will do the same thing as the male Komodo dragon.

Komodo in this island live and breed well. Komodo is very fond of hot and dry places so the existence of savannas on the island of Komodo makes these giant reptiles feel at home. In 2009 the number of dragons on this island was 1,300. Even though the number is still quite large, the existence of the komodo dragons is increasingly shrinking.

Underwater Biota

If we visit the Komodo Island, not only is the natural charm of the land that we can see. But the charm of the underwater world is also extraordinary. The water is very clear, very pleasant for tourists who have a hobby of diving. "Underwater Paradise" is the name pinned by local and foreign drivers for the underwater charm of the island of Komodo.

The beauty of the underwater world also stores hundreds of coral reef spices, seaweed, sponges and green turtles. Various species of marine fish are also seen here ranging from sharks, dolphins, stingrays, whales and others.

Meadow

Komodo National Park has grasslands or savannas that cover almost 75% of the entire Komodo island area. Various types of grass adorn the scenery that is there. Want to enjoy the sensation of being on Savanna? Just visit there right away...

Activities that can be done there

After arriving at Komodo Island, we only see the Komodo dragons go home? There are several activities that we can do on this island. We can do diving, snorkeling, canoeing, camping and observing animals directly on Komodo daily activities.