LAKE RANA TONJONG

Visit Danau Rana Tonjong in Nanga Mbaling, Pota, Sambi Rampas, East Manggarai - 2.5 Ha ancient lake, 2.2 Ha covered by giant lotus (Victoria Amazonica), blooms into pink sea April-June, second biggest lotus lake after India.

Danau Rana Tonjong - Sea of Pink Giant Lotus

One of the unique Lake in Flores

About The Lake:
Rana Tonjong Lake which is the second biggest lotus lake (Victoria Amazonica) in the world after similar lake in India.

In Manggarai language, ‘Rana’ means lake and ‘Tonjong’ means lotus. Located in Nanga Mbaling village, Pota, Sambi Rampas sub-district, East Manggarai regency, Flores island.

Rana Tonjong comes from Manggarai language, Rana means lake while Tonjong means Lotus. Rana Tonjong is one of the largest ancient lakes in the world, in general the lake has an area of around 2.5 Ha, with 2.2 Ha covered by Lotus alias Lotus. In addition there is the most unique thing about this lake, in April to June, this lake will turn into a sea of pink lotus flowers.

What Makes It Special:

1. Giant Lotus Victoria Amazonica
Lotus flower has pink color which blooms beautifully. This plant only grows on the water and has around 5 until 10-centimeter round-shape leaf. The uniqueness is in its stem which rises out of the water not floats like other lotus plants. It is around 3 meters high! Victoria Amazonica lotus that grows in Rana Tonjong can grow upright like taro, with leaf width about 30cm and flower width if blooming can reach 25cm. Because of that uniqueness the lotus in Rana Tonjong is often dubbed the giant lotus in the world.

Lotus flower can bloom depending on water which enters into the lake. After bloom period, giant lotus will leave tuber which contains lotus seeds. Local residents often consume lotus seeds - believe it can cure various diseases, high protein.

2. Sea of Pink Flowers April-June
In East Manggarai, you can visit Rana Tonjong, a vast lake covered with giant lotus flowers that bloom from April to June. The whole lake turns pink! Best photo time with rice fields turning yellow around it.

3. Wildlife & Scenery
In this lake there are also freshwater fish, frogs, and white geese. Around lake there are expanses of rice fields owned by farmers. On the way you will witness Manggarai countryside life, listening to singing of Kokak, Seset, and Ngkiong - all typical Manggarai endemic birds.

How to Get There:
To get to Rana Tonjong, you can start journey from Ruteng (capital of Manggarai) or from Borong (capital of East Manggarai). From Ruteng, travel almost 4 hours by car, 2 hours by motorcycle to Pota, using motorcycle or wooden bus. From Borong much closer. On the way you will be treated to amazing natural landscape in form of hills, rice fields, gardens overgrown with coffee plants. Use local guide if in Manggarai.

Tips: Don't pick the flower - you become destroyer for beautiful view! Visit April-June for blooming season. Bring drone for epic pink lake view.

Keywords: Danau Rana Tonjong, Rana Tonjong Lake, Lotus Lake Flores, Victoria Amazonica