The Komodo dragon
The world's largest lizard.
jon hanson from London — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Mufidqa91 — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Michael Day — CC BY 2.0 · Michael Day — CC BY 2.0
The island that gave its name to the world's largest lizard, the Komodo dragon, which lives in the wild only on these islands and parts of Flores' coast. It is the heart of Komodo National Park, a World Heritage site, with dry golden hills, coasts and waters rich in coral reefs. Boats dock at Loh Liang jetty, and a trained ranger with a forked stick leads you on a short or medium walk through dry forest to see dragons in their natural habitat, up to three metres long. You also see the deer, wild boar and birds the dragons hunt. Komodo National Park fees for foreigners are a bundle (entry, ranger, activities) of several hundred thousand rupiah a day, and the rules change often, so check before your trip; the boat is chartered or booked as a tour. Walking with a ranger is compulsory, and never approach the dragons. Most visitors come on a day or multi-day boat trip that includes Padar, Pink Beach and dive sites. Tell the ranger if you are menstruating or have an open wound, as dragons smell blood from afar.
The world's largest lizard.
A unique national park.
Through dry forest.
Komodo National Park, about two to four hours by boat from Labuan Bajo
Both have dragons: Komodo is more famous and farther, Rinca closer to Labuan Bajo and smaller, with good sighting chances. Most trips choose one.