Good news for the dragons, and not so good for those who leave everything until the last minute: Komodo National Park (Taman Nasional Komodo) is introducing a visitor quota. From now on, no more than 1,000 people a day will be allowed in to see the famous giant lizards.
The decision to cap visits at 365,000 tourists a year is driven by science and environmental concerns. In 2025, the park welcomed a record 429,509 visitors, significantly exceeding what the environment can sustain.
The maximum acceptable number of visitors for the national park was calculated back in 2018. A study by the Centre for Monitoring the Development of Ecoregions found that the optimal number of visitors is around 366,000 a year.
Back then, eight years ago, there was no need for restrictions, as fewer than 200,000 people visited Komodo each year. Now the location has become so popular that the authorities are warning about the threat of “overtourism” and have decided to follow experts’ recommendations. Despite criticism of the “old data”, the administration insists it is objective and plans not to exceed the permitted levels.
The restrictions are being introduced as part of a pilot programme, so the rules may change depending on the test results. For now, the limits are not applied across the whole park at once, but in specific areas within it. For example, you may be refused entry to Padar Island or Komodo Island if the visitor limit for that day has already been reached.
For tourists, this means it’s becoming harder to head to see the dragons on the spur of the moment, especially during the peak season from July to September. Those who book in advance should only benefit from the change, as there will be fewer crowds and less noise.
The heightened attention on the park is justified — this year, Komodo took second place in Time Out’s ranking of the world’s most beautiful places.
To protect the population of these unique lizards, Indonesia is not only limiting tourism but also expanding international cooperation. Recently, the authorities agreed to send a pair of Komodo dragons to a zoo in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture for a breeding programme. In return, Indonesia will receive red pandas and giraffes. The government is confident this will help protect a species that is officially threatened with extinction.
To make sure you see the famous Komodo dragons, book your trip in advance — ideally 1–2 months ahead, especially if your travel is tied to specific dates.
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