Komodo

New 7 Wonders of Nature

Komodo National Park lies in the strait between Sumbawa and Flores, a landscape of rugged, savanna-covered volcanic islands fringed with beaches and coral reefs. It was established in 1980 to protect the Komodo dragon, the largest living lizard, and later recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The dragons, which can grow to around three metres, are formidable predators that hunt deer, pigs and buffalo, and their bite is both bacterial and venomous. A few thousand live on Komodo, Rinca and some smaller islands, and visits are made on foot with trained rangers, who carry forked sticks and keep visitors at a safe distance. The surrounding waters are among the richest in the world, with strong currents that feed manta rays, reef sharks, turtles and vivid coral. Padar, the island with three differently coloured beaches, is known for its sunrise viewpoint reached by a short, steep climb, while Pink Beach owes its hue to fragments of red coral. Komodo was named one of the New7Wonders of Nature in a popular vote, a campaign that was controversial in Indonesia, but the park itself is a genuine conservation landmark. Most travellers join boat tours from Labuan Bajo, from one-day trips to multi-night cruises. Pack sun protection, sturdy shoes and cash, follow ranger instructions at all times, and choose operators committed to waste reduction and respect for dragon habitat.