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Travel To
Komodo Island Indonesia
Overview
Komodo National Park lies in the Wallacea Region of
Indonesia, identified by WWF and Conservation
International as a global conservation priority area. The
Park is located between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores
at the border of the Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) an d
Nusa Tenggara Barat (NTP) provinces. It includes three
major islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padar, and numerous
smaller islands together totaling 603 km2 of land. The
total size of Komodo National Park is presently 1,817 km2.
Proposed extensions of 25 km2 of land (Banta Island) and
479 km2 of marine waters would bring the total surface
area up to 2,321 km2. (Click on the map to enlarge - 70kB)
HISTORY :
Komodo National Park was established in 1980 and was
declared a World Heritage Site and a Man and Biosphere
Reserve by UNESCO in 1986. The park was initially
established to conserve the unique Komodo dragon (Varanus
komodoensis), first discovered by the scientific world in
1911 by J.K.H. Van Steyn. Since then conservation goals
have expanded to protecting its entire biodiversity, both
marine and terrestrial.
The majority of the people in and around the Park are
fishermen originally from Bima (Sumbawa), Manggarai, South
Flores, and South Sulawesi. Those from South Sulawesi are
from the Suku Bajau or Bugis ethnic groups. The Suku Bajau
were originally nomadic and moved from location to
location in the region of Sulawesi, Nusa Tenggara and
Maluku, to make their livelihoods. Descendents of the
original people of Komodo, the Ata Modo, still live in
Komodo, but there are no pure blood people left and their
culture and language is slowly being integrated with the
recent migrants.
Little is known of the early history of the Komodo
islanders. They were subjects of the Sultanate of Bima,
although the island’s remoteness from Bima meant its
affairs were probably little troubled by the Sultanate
other than by occasional demand for tribute.
DEMOGRAPHICS :
There are presently almost 4,000 inhabitants living within
the park spread out over four settlements (Komodo, Rinca,
Kerora, and Papagaran). All villages existed prior to 1980
before the area was declared a national park. In 1928
there were only 30 people living in Komodo Village, and
approximately 250 people on Rinca Island in 1930. The
population increased rapidly, and by 1999, there were 281
families numbering 1,169 people on Komodo, meaning that
the local population had increased exponentially. Komodo
Village has had the highest population increase of the
villages within the Park, mostly due to migration by
people from Sape, Manggarai, Madura, and South Sulawesi.
The number of buildings in Kampung Komodo has increased
rapidly from 30 houses in 1958, to 194 houses in 1994, and
270 houses in 2000. Papagaran village is similar in size,
with 258 families totaling 1,078 people. As of 1999,
Rinca’s population was 835, and Kerora's population was
185 people. The total population currently living in the
Park is 3,267 people, while 16,816 people live in the area
immediately surrounding the Park.
EDUCATION :
The average level of education in the villages of Komodo
National Park is grade four of elementary school. There is
an elementary school located in each of the villages, but
new students are not recruited each year. On average, each
village has four classes and four teachers. Most of the
children from the small islands in the Kecamatan Komodo
(Komodo, Rinca, Kerora, Papagaran, Mesa) do not finish
elementary school. Less than 10% of those which do
graduate from elementary school will continue to high
school since the major economic opportunity (fishing) does
not require further education. Children must be sent to
Labuan Bajo to attend high school, but this is rarely done
in fishermen’s families.
HEALTH :
Most of the villages located in and around the Park have
few fresh water facilities available, if any, particularly
during the dry season. Water quality declines during this
time period and many people become ill. Malaria and
diarrhea are rampant in the area. On Mesa island, with a
population of around 1,500 people, there is no fresh water
available. Fresh water is brought by boat in jerrycans
from Labuan Bajo. Each family needs an average of Rp
100,000.- per month to buy fresh water (2000). Almost
every village has a local medical facility with staff, and
at least a paramedic. The quality of medical care
facilities is low.
SOCIO-CULTURAL AND ANTHROPOLOGIC CONDITIONS :
Traditional Customs: Traditional communities in Komodo,
Flores and Sumbawa have been subjected to outside
influences and the influence of traditional customs is
dwindling. Television, radio, and increased mobility have
all played a part in accelerating the rate of change.
There has been a steady influx of migrants into the area.
At the moment nearly all villages consist of more than one
ethnic group.
Religion: The majority of fishermen living in the
villages in the vicinity of the Park are Muslims. Hajis
have a strong influence in the dynamics of community
development. Fishermen hailing from South Sulawesi (Bajau,
Bugis) and Bima are mostly Moslems. The community from
Manggarai are mostly Christians.
Anthropology and Language: There are several
cultural sites within the Park, particularly on Komodo
Island. These sites are not well documented, however, and
there are many questions concerning the history of human
inhabitance on the island. Outside the Park, in Warloka
village on Flores, there is a Chinese trading post remnant
of some interest. Archeological finds from this site have
been looted in the recent past. Most communities in and
around the Park can speak Bahasa Indonesia. Bajo language
is the language used for daily communication in most
communities.
TERRESTRIAL PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
Topography: The topography is varied, with slopes from 0 –
80%. There is little flat ground, and that is generally
located near the beach. The altitude varies from sea level
to 735 m above sea level. The highest peak is Gunung
Satalibo on Komodo Island.
Geology: The islands in Komodo National Park are
volcanic in origin. The area is at the juncture of two
continental plates: Sahul and Sunda. The friction of these
two plates has led to large volcanic eruptions and caused
the up-thrusting of coral reefs. Although there are no
active volcanoes in the park, tremors from Gili Banta
(last eruption 1957) and Gunung Sangeang Api (last
eruption 1996) are common. West Komodo probably formed
during the Jurasic era approximately 130 million years
ago. East Komodo, Rinca, and Padar probably formed
approximately 49 million years ago during the Eocene era.
Climate: Komodo National Park has little or no
rainfall for approximately 8 months of the year, and is
strongly impacted by monsoonal rains. High humidity levels
year round are only found in the quasi-cloud forests on
mountain tops and ridges. Temperatures generally range
from 170C to 340C, with an average humidity level of 36%.
From November through March the wind is from the west and
causes large waves that hit the entire length of Komodo
island’s west beach. From April through October the wind
is dry and large waves hit the south beaches of Rinca and
Komodo islands.
TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEMS :
The terrestrial ecosystems are strongly affected by the
climate: a lengthy dry season with high temperatures and
low rainfall, and seasonal monsoon rains. The Park is
situated in a transition zone between Australian and Asian
flora and fauna. Terrestrial ecosystems include open
grass-woodland savanna, tropical deciduous (monsoon)
forest, and quasi cloud forest.
Due to the dry climate, terrestrial plant species richness
is relatively low. The majority of terrestrial species are
xerophytic and have specific adaptations to help them
obtain and retain water. Past fires have selected for
species that are fire-adapted, such as some grass species
and shrubs. Terrestrial plants found in Komodo National
Park include grasses, shrubs, orchids, and trees.
Important food tree species for the local fauna include
Jatropha curkas, Zizyphus sp., Opuntia sp., Tamarindus
indicus, Borassus flabellifer, Sterculia foetida, Ficus
sp., Cicus sp., ‘Kedongdong hutan’ (Saruga floribunda),
and ‘Kesambi’ (Schleichera oleosa).
TERRESTRIAL FAUNA :
The terrestrial fauna is of rather poor diversity in
comparison to the marine fauna. The number of terrestrial
animal species found in the Park is not high, but the area
is important from a conservation perspective as some
species are endemic.. Many of the mammals are Asiatic in
origin (e.g., deer, pig, macaques, civet). Several of the
reptiles and birds are Australian in origin. These include
the orange-footed scrubfowl, the lesser sulpher-crested
cockatoo and the nosy friarbird.
Reptiles: The most famous of Komodo National Park's
reptiles is the Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis). It is
among the world's largest reptiles and can reach 3 meters
or more in length and weigh over 70kg. To find out more
about this fascinating creature click here.
Other than the Komodo Dragon twelve terrestrial snake
species are found on the island. including the cobra (Naja
naja sputatrix), Russel’s pit viper (Vipera russeli), and
the green tree vipers (Trimeresurus albolabris). Lizards
include 9 skink species (Scinidae), geckos (Gekkonidae),
limbless lizards (Dibamidae), and, of course, the monitor
lizards (Varanidae). Frogs include the Asian Bullfrog (Kaloula
baleata), Oreophyne jeffersoniana and Oreophyne darewskyi.
They are typically found at higher, moister altitudes.
Mammals: Mammals include the Timor deer (Cervus
timorensis), the main prey of the Komodo dragon, horses (Equus
sp.), water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), wild boar (Sus
scrofa vittatus), long-tailed macaques (Macaca
fascicularis), palm civets (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus
lehmanni), the endemic Rinca rat (Rattus rintjanus), and
fruit bats. One can also find goats, dogs and domestic
cats.
Birds: One of the main bird species is the
orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius reinwardti), a ground
dwelling bird. In areas of savanna, 27 species were
observed. Geopelia striata and Streptopelia chinensis were
the most common species. In mixed deciduous habitat, 28
bird species were observed, and Philemon buceroides,
Ducula aenea, and Zosterops chloris were the most common.
MARINE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT :
The marine area constitutes 67% of the Park. The open
waters in the Park are between 100 and 200 m deep. The
straits between Rinca and Flores and between Padar and
Rinca, are relatively shallow (30 to 70 m deep), with
strong tidal currents. The combination of strong currents,
coral reefs and islets make navigation around the islands
in Komodo National Park difficult and dangerous. Sheltered
deep anchorage is available at the bay of Loh Liang on
Komodo’s east coast, the South East coast of Padar, and
the bays of Loh Kima and Loh Dasami on Rinca.
In the North of the Park water temperature ranges between
25 – 29°C. In the middle, the temperature ranges between
24 and 28°C. The temperatures are lowest in the South,
ranging from 22 – 28°C. Water salinity is about 34 ppt and
the water is quite clear, although the waters closer to
the islands are relatively more turbid.
MARINE ECOSYSTEMS :
Indonesia is the only equatorial region in the world where
there is an exchange of marine flora and fauna between the
Indian and Pacific oceans. Passages in Nusa Tenggara
(formerly the Lesser Sunda Islands) between the Sunda and
Sahul shelves allow movement between the Pacific and
Indian oceans. The three main ecosystems in Komodo
National Park are seagrass beds, coral reefs, and mangrove
forests. The Park is probably a regular cetacean migration
route.
MARINE FLORA :
The three major coastal marine plants are algae,
seagrasses and mangrove trees. Algae are primitive plants,
which do not have true roots, leaves or stems. An
important reef-building algae is the red coralline algae,
which actually secretes a hard limestone skeleton that can
encrust and cement dead coral together. Seagrasses are
modern plants that produce flowers, fruits and seeds for
reproduction. As their name suggests, they generally look
like large blades of grass growing underwater in sand near
the shore. Thallasia sp. and Zastera spp. are the common
species found in the Park. Mangroves trees can live in
salty soil or water, and are found throughout the Park. An
assessment of mangrove resources identified at least 19
species of true mangroves and several more species of
mangrove associates within the Park's borders.
MARINE FAUNA :
Komodo National Park includes one of the world's richest
marine environments. It consists of forams, cnidaria
(includes over 260 species of reef building coral),
sponges (70 species), ascidians, marine worms, mollusks,
echinoderms, crustaceans, cartilaginous and bony fishes
(over 1,000 species), marine reptiles, and marine mammals
(dolphins, whales, and dugongs). Some notable species with
high commercial value include sea cucumbers (Holothuria),
Napoleon wrasse (Cheilinus undulatus), and groupers.
How to get
to Komodo From:
Bali
There are numerous airways
from Bali direct daily flight to Komodo
(Flores, Labuhan Bajo or Maumere) such as Merpati, Trigana air,
Trans Nusa and Indonesia air transport, those
airways direct by short 1
hour flight to
Flores most
of those airways has one flight a
day.
From the UK - Flights
into Indonesia depend on which region you are visiting.
Stopovers are usually required, often in Singapore / Hong
Kong. Try British Airways or Singapore Airlines for more
information.
Singapore
Singapore air/Silk Air has
3 flights a week from Changi airport direct to Mataram
Lombok some flight are via Surabaya, see details schedule
www.singaporeair.com
and connecting to flores - Labuhan bajo for the next day
tansit via Bali.
Kuala Lumpur
Air Asia has daily flight
from KLIA to Denpasar Bali then travel with Merpati Air
direct to Lbauhan Bajo Flores in
1 hour. www.airasia.com
Hong Kong
Cathay Pacific Airways
flight daily to Denpasar Bali, Jakarta, and Surabaya, then
travel with Merpati Air if you are in Bali, and Lion Air
or Garuda If you are in Surabaya and Jakarta.
www.cathayairways.com
AIRPORT TAX
For Airport Information Service, contact PT. Angkasa Pura I Jl.
Laksda Adi Sucipto 1 Mataram, phone: +62 370 637538. Airport
Departure tax (Note: each airport has different tariffs):
Domestic: Rp. 20.000/person International: Rp. 75.000/person.
Sailing
Boat From Lombok
To Komodo ( Flores)
There are sailing boat goes twice a week from Lombok to Komodo
thursday and Monday every week at minimum of 10 passagers,
it's take 3 night 4 days as the boat will take you to explorer
the island with activities snorkelling, hiking, fishing, etc.
contact us for the boat ticket require.
Land
Take a car or
Bus from Denpasar to Padangbai and from there by regular
ferry to Lembar in Lombok. To travel on to Sumbawa a head
eastwards to Kayangan (Labuhan Lombok) and catch a ferry to
Poto Tano. Public transport and air conditioned coaches
depart regularly from these terminals
including to flores.
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