Flores

Rinca island is located close to Komodo island and while it is less well known for its Komodo Dragons than its more famous neighbour, it actually houses a much larger population allowing you a greater chance of seeing them. The island is also populated with many other species such as wild pigs, buffaloes and birds. Being less known and less visited than Komodo it is an excellent place to see the Komodo Dragon in its natural environment with fewer people to disturb them.

Komodo Island lies between the substantially larger neighbouring islands of Sumbawa to the west and Flores to the east. It was declared a UNESCO registered World Heritage site in 1986 in an attempt to preserve its most famous resident Varanus Komodoensis, or the Komodo dragon to most. Apart from these resident Jurassic giants, the island is also famous for a rich marine seascape containing coral reefs, mangroves, seamounts and every other type of underwater gardening feature that is nature’s handiwork. The island is also home to well over 1,000 different types of fish, as well as sharks, manta rays, whales, dolphins and sea turtles making it a snorkelling and diving dream.

Labuan Bajo was once a small fishing village on the far west coast of Flores but is now a still small but bustling tourist destination. This is the main launching pount for trips to Komodo and Rinca. From here you can also access the nearby islands of Kanawa and Seraya, which offer great opportunities to do some diving and snorkelling and every evening at Kalong Island thousands of flying fox bats put on an amazing display.

Ende is located on the South coast and is the lazy capital of Flores Island. It mostly serves as the gateway between Flores and Sumba or Kupang. However, Ende is worth a visit in its own right. There are some interesting sights to see including a bustling night market which really comes to life after sunset when you will find yourself walking around stalls of exotic produce lit only by candlelight. There are many local weaving villages just outside the town which produce some of the best cloth on Flores and the black sand beaches around Ende are absolutely beautiful and completely undeveloped - pack a picnic lunch and head for the beach. And of course from Ende you can travel onwards to visit the famous crater lakes of Kelimutu.

Maumere is the largest town on Flores Island and a great base from which to explore the myriad of small weaving villages located outside the town. A lot of these villages are employed in the art of weaving the traditional ikat cloth, a traditional export from the Island. Maumere is small enough to cover on foot, however you will probably receive endless offers for rides from motorcycle taxis and bemo minivans. The harbour seafront is a great place to enjoy traditional Indonesian food and there are some pretty beaches not too far away.