Neighbouring Nusa Ceningan is accessible via a bridge on Lembongan’s south coast, and has an alternative surf break and a zipline across the coastal Blue Lagoon, situated on the island’s west coast, around which most of the activities are to be found. In common with its neighbours, Ceningan is also a hallowed diving destination.



The flora and fauna of Lombok are markedly different to that found to the west in the Indonesian islands of Bali, Java, and Sumatra which belong to the same natural biogeography as the Malay Peninsula and Borneo, whilst east of Bali, the distinct differences found throughout the natural kingdom exhibit kinship to New Guinea and Australasia, while to the north, the Philippines marks an area of crossover.


Of the southern beaches, Kuta, Seger, Tanjung Aan and Kaliantan are the main resort beaches, and are also home to the best surfing breaks.

On Lombok’s western coast, Senggigi beach sits just to the north of the island’s capital, Mataram, while a little way further north, Sire beach affords good views of the volcano and is backed by Kosaido golf course.





The park also covers the neighbouring islands of Rinca, Padar and Motang and twenty-five surrounding islets, which together comprise the territorial range of the dragons. Outside the park, there are also a few isolated populations surviving on the island of Flores.


The park’s headquarters is situated on Pulau Rinca, and tours to visit the dragon colonies are strictly controlled and must be done in the company with a qualified guide. Komodo Dragons are dangerous, powerful and agile predators with a history of attacking humans, particularly children, who they regard as prey and can both outrun and outswim. It is not permitted, nor in any case advisable, to trek alone.

Despite the Komodo Dragon's fearsome reputation, several traditional human habitations exist on the islands, their communities pre-dating the formation of the park in 1980. There is also a stilted community of Bajau sea gypsies.



The surrounding ocean itself is a wondrous marine treasure, containing over a thousand species of fish swimming among beautiful corals. The larger species include Manta Rays and several species of Shark, as well as marine mammals such as Whales, Dugongs and Dolphins. For the serious diver, several liveaboard cruises are available to explore the magic of the park’s reefs in dedicated detail.

If the forecast is fine, a brilliant way to explore the inspiring coastal fringes of the National Park is by sea kayak.



The remote valley is accessed by a flight to Wamena, the only way in and out not just for visitors, but for all produce, though roads are planned for the future.

For those fascinated with ancient tribal culture, despite the fact that Christianity and mobile phones have made their presence felt, the people still authentically retain their remarkable stone and bone culture and traditional dress which for the men consists of a penis sheath (Koteka), nose bone and a head dress, while the womenfolk wear a short skirt woven from orchid fibres.

The tribe was only ‘discovered’ in 1938 and, although warlike headhunters, were never cannibals as were many of the other tribes of Papua. The Dani share the valley with two other tribes, the Lani and the Yali peoples, with whom they were often at war until recent times, and nowadays mock battles are performed for visitors, who can also observe many other fascinating traditional practices including salt extraction, cooking in the earth and smoke mummification.

Dani villages are comprised of circular huts and surrounded by small agricultural plots, where among other produce, sweet potatoes are highly valued and even regarded as currency.