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
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.
Komodo dragons live in one of the driest area in Indonesia, where there are few permanent water sources. Different temperatures during the year in different habitats will influence the Komodo dragon's range. Rains falls mainly from December to March and less then 800mm per year.
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
The climate is strongly effected by monsoon winds and the amount of moisture they bring in. From April to October , dry southeast trade winds from Australia bring very little moisture to the area. From January to February, the northwest monsoon comes in from Asia. The wind brings moisture with it, but most of the moisture is dropped over west Indonesia before it reaches the park.
The highest annual temperature in the park is 43 degrees Celcius, the minimum is 17 degrees Celcius. November is the hottest month of the year. The hottest part of the day is at noon and just afterwards. Komodo dragons seek shade and rest when the temperature is too warm.
Traveling during the wet season preferable to see the green forest
