Rinca it is the smallest of the three islands that make up Komodo National Park, which was established in 1980. In 1991, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 

Rinca is not as famous and less visited than Komodo, but it is still a remarkable place where you can see the komodo dragons in its natural environment. From Labuan Bajo it takes about 1 hour if you hire a speed boat, and about two hours by tour or daily chartered boat.

Upon arrival on the island, you must hire a park ranger, who can also be your guide. 

They are normally very experienced and will tell you what you can do or can not do.

Rinca is also home to wild pigs, birds, buffalos, monkeys and deer.

The hot and dry climate of the park makes it a good habitat for the endemic Komodo dragons.

Komodo dragons are the world’s largest lizard and among the largest reptiles; they can reach up to 3 metres in length and 70 kg in weight. And they can move fast. They hunt and ambush birds and mammals. The bigger ones could eat a deer. They are extremely good hunters. 

They are known to occasionally attack humans, especially when they think their children are in danger. That’s why it is necessary and compulsory for tourists to enter the park with a ranger and strictly follow the park’s rules.

Because of their size, these giant lizards dominate the ecosystems in which they live. 

There are about 1,300 komodo dragons in Rinca’s total area of over 1,700 metres, of which 600 metres is land.