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Vashlovani National Park Vashlovani National Park is home to the most unique and diverse landscapes in Georgia. Here you will find narrow gorges and jagged peaks, vast savannahs with pistachio trees and bubbling mud volcanoes, barren plateaus, forested mountains and the country's longest river, which forms the natural border with Azerbaijan. The Vashlovani National Park, with its vast expanse of land in the south-eastern part of Georgia, is uniquely beautiful and full of surprises. When visiting Vashlovani National Park, you sometimes think you have been transported to the river valleys (wadis) of Oman, the desert of Iraq or the East African savannahs. General info: The name: Vashlovani means apple orchard. Established as a protected area: 1935 Public transport to Vashlovani National Park There is no public transport to Vashlovani, at most you can go to Dedopliszqaro by marshutka (minibus), but then it is still about 80 kilometres to the national park. What kind of car do you need for the park? If you want to see most of the park, you will need a 4x4. Accommodation in Vashlovani National Park: You can either camp (5 Lari per tent) or stay in a bungalow (about 50 Lari per bungalow). Entrance Fees Entrance fee to the national park is 5 Lari per person. Permit/Passport As part of the National Park is in a border area, there will be a simple passport check en route. What to look out for There are poisonous snakes (horned viper) in the Vashlovani National Park and you should wear ankle-high shoes and long trousers when walking. There are also many shepherds with their sheepdogs in the area and if you see them, give them a wide berth. Water in Vashlovani National Park The only water source in the park is at Mijniskure. There are no water sources at the other bungalows and designated campsites. Various places and sights 1. The Eagle Gorge Adler Gorge is a narrow, steep gorge with a short walk along the top of the western cliff. From here you have a wonderful view of the tree-covered gorge and the limestone cliffs opposite. This area is home to over sixty species of birds and you are likely to see some species of vultures in the air. In the distance, the view stretches across the Alazani Valley to the peaks of the Caucasus Mountains. 2. Pantishara - about 40 km long According to palaeontological material, the lowlands and foothills of eastern Georgia were covered with savannah during the Pliocene Epoch (2.5 to 7 million years ago) and were home to southern elephants, mastodons, giraffes, rhinoceroses, antelopes, sabre-toothed tigers, ostriches and dryopithecines. Fossilised fragments of tropical plants are found in the geological parent rocks. Analysis of the geological strata has shown that Vashlovani has been a sea bed at various times. One of the highlights of the Pantishara Gorge is the "city" of swallows, built on a negative rock face in the middle of the gorge. It contains several thousand nests. This so-called city was built by the swallows and shows the nature of their colonial life. 3. Mijniskure Mijniskure is one of the highlights of the national park. It is located on the Alazani River, on the border with Azerbaijan. Here you can hike for about 2 hours and enjoy the views of the neighbouring country. 4. Bear Gorge The route starts at Bear Gorge, one of the branches of the Pantishara Gorge. This area has always been at the bottom of the sea and you can see that at first glance, even if you don't know much about geology. You can walk up to Bear Gorge and back in about an hour. The path is easy, but there is a section where you have to climb up and through a narrow gap in the rocks. 5. Usakhelo viewpoint From the Usakhelo Viewpoint, about 4 kilometres past the border post, you have an incredible view of the eastern and southern parts of the national park. From here you can see how the road descends through the middle of this amazing landscape. It disappears into a narrow, winding gorge before meeting an open plain that leads to the ranger station at Mijniskure. 6. Kakliskure Alazani This area is one of the three "natural monuments" in Vashlovani. It is a small bay-like peninsula on the Alazani River on the border with Azerbaijan. It is known for its wild walnut trees and huge forests of ash, oak and elm. There is a picnic area and a ranger station. 7. Shavi Mta (Black Mountain) The landscape around the Black Mountain (Shavi Mta in Georgian) is very different from Pantishara or Midshniskure. Shavi Mta is characterised by forested slopes and an undulating ridge with views of the Alazani Valley and the Caucasus Mountains to the north and extensive farmland to the south-west. There is a (very) short walk to a monastery that starts just past the designated picnic area. The trail continues along a muddy forest track to the ranger station, from where there are fantastic views of the Alazani Valley below. 8. Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes The trail to the mud volcanoes starts from Dedoplitskaro and the first sight on the way is the 6th century Elia Monastery. Another interesting place on the way is the Dali reservoir The Takhti-Tefa mud volcano lies to the south of the Dal reservoir at an altitude of 620 metres above sea level and is a hill several metres high on the Seri ridge. The largest mud crater is 3.5 to 4 metres in diameter. Mud, oil and gas rise from them. The mud rising from the vents collects and flows down into the gorge. The natural monument and its surroundings are made of sandstone and clay. 9.Khornabudji Fortress The remains of the Chornabudschi fortress were a fortified town founded by King Vachtang Gorgasali in the 5th century. Today it is called "Tamaris Fortress" and is located at the end of the Gombor ridge on the rocky massif, about 2-3 kilometres north of Dedoplistskaro. This fortress controlled the fields of Iori and Alazani at the same time. Establishment of the national park The establishment of Vashlovani National Park was prompted by the threat of destruction of the less altered ecosystems around the Vashlovani Nature Reserve. This process threatened these two ecosystems and prevented the conservation of the biodiversity of the Vashlovani Reserve. The establishment of the Washlovani Nature Reserve and National Park serves to preserve the arid (dry) ecosystem in its natural state and to protect and restore the rare plant and animal species found in the area. In addition, the existence of protected areas facilitates environmental monitoring, scientific research and environmental education. Flora The specific character of the natural conditions in Vashlovani determines the development of the original flora. Such a rapid change of vegetation types in such a small area cannot be observed in any other part of Georgia. As a result of the action of various natural complexes, five different types of vegetation have developed in this region with a small difference in altitude (hypsometric amplitude): Semi-desert, arid (lat. aridus - dry) forest, steppe and deciduous forest. In addition, four intrazonal types were identified: Rock xerophytes, floodplain or riverine forests, foothills and limestone vegetation. Here you can find, among others: Swamp oak, poplar, marshmallow, walnut, elm, Georgian sour plum (Tkemali), hawthorn, sedge, holly, willow, privet, mulberry, maize and others. The composition of lianas is also rich: ivy, wild vine, clematis, hops and others. Herbs: sedge, wood sanicle, white violet. There are also many species of weeds Fauna The reserve is characterised by its biodiversity. In this relatively small area, there are 46 species of mammals, 135 species of birds, 30 species of reptiles and amphibians, 16 species of fish, many species of insects and the simplest (the full species composition of the latter is still unknown). The fauna in the protected areas of Vashlovani is characterised both by the diversity of species and their importance. These areas are inhabited by Bear, lynx, wolf, wild boar, otter, vulture, bald eagle, Egyptian vulture, chukar partridge. Short-toed Snake Eagle, Field Eagle, Goshawk, Peregrine Falcon, Pheasant, Grey Partridge, Collared Francolin, Red-headed Warbler, Yellow-headed Nightingale, Tugai Nightingale and others. Challenges and Threats Despite the ongoing conservation efforts, Vashlovani National Park faces several challenges that threaten its ecological integrity. Climate change poses a significant risk, affecting the delicate balance of the park's ecosystems. Human activities, including illegal logging and poaching, also contribute to the degradation of this natural jewel. Addressing these challenges requires a holistic approach, combining scientific research, community engagement, and policy interventions. Conclusion In conclusion, Vashlovani National Park stands as a testament to the natural beauty and cultural richness of Georgia. Its unique blend of semi-desert landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and ancient cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and history enthusiasts alike. While facing challenges, the ongoing conservation efforts underscore the commitment to preserving this natural jewel for future generations. As we continue to explore and appreciate the wonders of Vashlovani, let us also strive to be stewards of the environment, ensuring the sustainability of this remarkable national park. On following trip, you will visit Vashlovani National Park |
