There are two island you can visit to see the famous Komodo Dragons. One is Komodo Island and the other, RInca.
People will have various opinions on which island is better. After researching and asking around extensively, I realized, it all depends on you and your schedule.
Basically, there are only more or less than 4,800 dragons recorded alive in the islands. About 2,000 of those are in Rinca and the rest are in the main island Komodo. Despite having more dragons in Komodo, some people choose Rinca because it is a smaller island and the dragons are more visible.
Also with Komodo, the trek route will be longer and somewhat tougher. So if this is the adventure you like, choose Komodo. This way too, you can visit the Pink beach or swim with the Manta Rays as they're nearby.
If you're pressed for time, Rinca may be an option. We chose Rinca because I particularly don't like long treks especially in the heat. Plus we wanted to snorkel and do other activities too.
Here, the Rangers have "semi-trained" dragons that hang out by the kitchen hut. Surely, they give them some food, thought hey won't admit it. The dragons here seemed so accustomed to people. Even the rangers themselves nonchalantly walk past them.
Seeing the dragons in the wild depends on luck. Some have reported that apart from the ones trained by the Rangers to hang out at the outposts/kitchen, they didn't see any more on the trek. Then some would say they'd see one in action, walking, or eating, etc... It's all very unpredictable with the dragons. So don't expect much and just enjoy the tour.
RINCA / KOMODO NATIONAL PARK TOUR
What happens on the tour??
As mentioned in the previous article, we organized our 1 Day Rinca Island + Kanawa Snorkeling Tour with Kencana Agency the day before.
We met up with the rest of the group the next morning at 7:00. They gave us fins and snorkel gear. After, we all walked to the harbour onto our boat.
The trip from Labuan Bajo to Rinca Island takes about 4 hours. The from Rinca to Kanawa about 1.5 hours on the return. But don't worry, the view of the landscapes is breathtaking. You will be busy snapping away at how untapped, pre-historic, and simply beautiful the islands in Flores are. It kinda reminded us of Jurassic park, actually!
Here are sample shots of what you will see. The camera doesn't do the reality any justice. You have to see it to know what I mean.
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| kinda looks like dragons or turtles... |
We saw dolphins!!
4 hours later, you arrive at Rinca port.
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| Our boat crew. Ages 13-16. Probably the youngest crew in all Indo! haha |
Your boat lands at the port and enter the Park. Rangers are often hanging out at the hut by the entrance and one will accompany you onto the cemented walkway that shows a glimpse of how dry and arid the landscape is of the island.
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| I like my Ranger stick |
You will also see the first set of "semi-trained" dragons lounging by the tree near the office. I call them the 'welcoming committee". Here you stop and are allowed to take photos. The Ranger will give you some introductory info regarding the dragons.
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| this guy couldn't care less about us. |
The, you are led to the office to pay the fees.
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| This is the ENTRANCE FEE Rp 50,000 per person |
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| Park DONATION Fee Rp 20,000 / person |
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| Camera Fee Rp 50,000 / equipment |
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| Groups's RANGER Fee Rp 80,000 to be split with your group |
There were 8 of us in the group, so in total each of us paid Rp 80,000, plus the fee for those with cameras. Then it would be Rp 130,000.
Your group then gets assigned 2 Rangers that will give you information and fun facts about the dragons, the islands, flora and fauna. Our Ranger DINO was amazing. He was articulate and simply hilarious. We recommend this dude for a fun tour!
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| the Cook's used to hanging out with the drgaons. |
The Rangers will show you the trek map and make you decide which trail you want to do: Green (Short = 1.5 hours), Yellow (Medium 2.5 - 3 hours), and Red (Long 3-4 hours). We decided on the GREEN.
I hope you brought water because you'd need it. The shortest trek is about 1.5 hours and there won't be any stores or shade on the trail. There's a little store by this map board, before you enter the trail path.
You will then be brought to the outhouses nearby where there's a kitchen and the dragons lying around and underneath it. Take loads of photos here because these may be the only dragons you will see.
Once you're all satisfied with your photo op, you will start the trek. The Ranger will share information on the various flora and fauna on the island apart from the usual dragon info.
Dino said locals ingest the seeds from this husk plant to have a good time. By his description of that 'good time', it seems the seeds have some sort of hallucinogenic effects. Organic fun. Haha. Sounds interesting actually.
An insidious banyan / beringin tree clinging on to another.
As I said about luck, you don't often chance upon a dragon on the trek but... here we are witnessing a female dragon who just came from checking her eggs in the nest. Of course, we got out of her way!
Female nesting dragons tend to be feisty and aggressive due to their motherly protective instincts. When dragons don't normally mind humans or beasts (unless hungry), the nesting female may attack out of the blue for protection.
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| Oh hello, Mr. Crab! |
The way to Kanawa and back to LB Harbour was a bit stormy. This is also why we didn't take photos of our snorkeling. It was rainy, choppy waters, and the go pro shots didn't come out very well.
More so, i was actually disappointed with Kanawa. There really wasn't much to see but loads of dead reef from the boat parking on them and people walking on them. Not much sea life evident either.
The locals are saying it's because of the rain. But I'm not sure i believe that.
Anyway, we had a wonderful trip seeing the dragons and gorgeous landscapes of Flores. And since we didn't see much at Kanawa, we booked a 1-day SNORKELING Adventure that turned out to be a more amazing experience.
One that we highly recommend you all do whether you regularly snorkel or have never snorkeled before.
More on that coming..... Stay tuned....
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| one of the many gorgeous inhabited islands we were brought to |
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