Lombok News

For years it has lived in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, Bali. Now pristine Lombok Island of Indonesia is making a concerted effort to build itself up as the next Bali, while trying to maintain its natural charm. Slower to catch the tourism train than its neighbor to the west, Lombok has been promoted as an unspoiled Bali. But a future $600 million development may see it emerge on par with Bali as a world-class tourism destination, according to the United Arab Emirates-based developer. (more…)

Travel expert of The Times, South African daily news which also available online, answers queries on routes and destinations around the world.

Q: We are planning to go to Lombok Island, Indonesia, and need advice on the best way to get there and where to stay, our preference being for a small hotel on the beach. We would also love to see the Komodo dragons. Is this possible from Lombok? — Daphne Johnson

A: The quickest route would be to fly from Johannesburg to Singapore on Singapore Airlines and then connect directly to Selaparang Airport in Mataram, Lombok’s largest city, on Silk Air. (You can also travel via Denpasar in Bali, but that is a longer route). There are many hotels to choose from, most of which you can find online. A stylish place to stay is Qunci Villas, which has 20 luxury rooms with stunning sea views. Another is the Puri Mas Boutique Hotel, which offers comfortable bungalows and ocean villas in a garden alongside Senggigi beach.
You can visit the Komodo National Park on a private tour arranged by one of the travel operators on the island. But if you want to catch a public ferry you need to get to Sape on Sumbawa island or Labuan Bajo in Flores. There will be plenty of information available on the island about trips and tours as the Komodo dragons, the world’s largest lizards, are a major tourist attraction. (more…)