Komodo National Park

Komodo Island, in the Lesser Sundas Islands, is one of the most famous wildlife areas in Indonesia, thanks to the enormous Komodo dragon, the world's largest reptile.

The national park covers 185,185 acres, which protects the entire range of the lizard on the small islands of Komodo, Padar, Rinca, and Gili Motong.

The rugged hillsides of dry savanna and pockets of thorny green vegetation on the islands contrast starkly with the brilliant white sandy beaches and blue waters covering coral reefs.

The Komodo dragon is a gigantic monitor lizard that grows to lengths of more than nine feet and can weigh close to 300 pounds. It scavenges and hunts, using its powerful club of a tail to tackle large prey.

It is possible to watch organized feeding frenzies and take dragon-spotting treks on Komodo, which is a hilly, desolate island.

Rinca Island has no established feeding places so spotting the lizards is a little harder. However, Rinca has fairly abundant wildlife, with several monkey colonies, wild water buffalo, deer, bush turkeys and eagles.

More than 150 species of birds have been identified in Komodo park, many of which are migratory. Distinctive species include sulpher-crested cockatoos, imperial pigeons, white-breasted sea eagles and maleos.

The seas surrounding the park have 1,000 species of fish and marine mammals.

Ferries run to Komodo from Sape in Sumbawa and Labhuanbajo in Flores. To reach Rinca, you must charter a boat.

Diving is possible off several of the islands. There are coral reefs and other interesting marine life.

The park has been recognized as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural World Heritage Site.