Introduction
Komodo is a small, barren but beautiful island off the western coast of Flores, a couple of nights boat ride from Lombok and Bali or a comfortable day trip from Labuan Bajo on Flores.
Just 2,000 people live on the island, descendants of convicts who were sent here in exile by a sultan of Sumbawa.
The more famous residents are of course the Komodo dragons. The world's largest lizards can grow to three metres in length and use razor-sharp teeth, dagger-like claws and paralysing saliva to take down their prey. The dragons are now a protected species and live within the Komodo National Park, which stretches between Komodo and the nearby islands of Padar and Rinca.
Local rangers accompany all dragon-spotting walks, helping you track the animals and observe them in safety.
The park is also home to some wonderful marine life, including whale sharks, manta rays and the enormous ocean sunfish.
