Experience the best of Komodo

Komodo Island lies in the Lesser Sunda Islands between Sumbawa and Flores, and with nearby Rinca, Padar and many smaller islands it forms Komodo National Park, a World Heritage site since 1991. The Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard, can reach three metres, and hunts deer, wild boar and water buffalo across the savanna and monsoon forest.

Rangers lead visitors along trails from the park office at Loh Liang, and on Rinca the dragons often loiter near the ranger station. Padar has a steep climb to a viewpoint over three bays with white, black and pink sand, and Pink Beach on Komodo has sand tinted pink by tiny red marine fragments. Offshore, strong currents bring manta rays and big schools of fish, making the reefs among the best diving in Indonesia.

Boats leave from Labuan Bajo, the port on Flores that serves as the gateway, where meals are built around grilled fish, squid and rice with chilli sambal and Flores coffee. The park is dry and hot, with the driest months from April to November.