Vashlovani National Park: Georgia’s One-of-a-Kind “Savanna”

Welcome to Vashlovani National Park, a wild and unique part of Georgia in the far southeast, right on the border with Azerbaijan. If you think of Georgia as just green mountains and forests, Vashlovani will surprise you! This park protects a landscape that is very different from the rest of the country. It has dry steppes (grasslands), light woodlands with pistachio and juniper trees, sharp canyons, strange eroded cliffs called “badlands,” and even active mud volcanoes. It’s hard to believe you’re still in Georgia when you see some parts that look so much like an African savanna.

A Haven for Rare Wildlife

Vashlovani became a protected area in 2003, based on an older reserve from 1935. Its main goal is to protect this unique dry ecosystem and its amazing wildlife. It’s a safe place for birds of prey, like eagles and vultures, to build their nests in the steep cliffs of places like the famous Eagle Gorge (Artsivi Kheoba). There are also some rare animals that live here, like the Striped Hyena, the Goitered Gazelle (which has been brought back to the area), and, believe it or not, the hard-to-find Leopard, which was confirmed to be living here again in recent years through camera traps! It’s very unlikely that you’ll see a leopard, but knowing that they live in this wild area makes it even more magical.

Planning Your Adventure

It takes some planning to go to Vashlovani. To see the park’s dirt roads, you need a high-clearance 4WD vehicle because it’s far away and the ground is rough. Also, because it’s a border zone, you have to register and get permits from the Border Police in the nearby town of Dedoplistskaro before you can go into most parts of the park. The Dedoplistskaro visitor center is the most important place to go first to get information, maps, permits, and maybe even set up 4WD transportation and guides.

The best times to go are in the spring (April to May) when the landscape is surprisingly green with wildflowers, or in the fall (September to October) when the weather is cooler. It gets very hot in the summer (June to August), often over 40°C, so it’s best to avoid doing hard things then. It’s also very important to bring a lot of drinking water with you because natural sources are hard to find and often salty.

You can usually explore Vashlovani by driving along the 4WD routes and going on short hikes to canyons or viewpoints. You can see the bubbling Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes, take in the views of the Alazani River valley from Mijniskure, explore Datviskhevi canyon, or look for big birds on the cliffs of Eagle Gorge. You can stay overnight in simple park bungalows or at designated campsites. This lets you see the stars in the desert sky and hear the sounds of the wild. Vashlovani is a place that adventurous travelers won’t forget. It has unique landscapes, rare animals, and a real off-the-beaten-path experience.

Park Overview at a Glance

Official Name:

Vashlovani National Park (ვაშლოვანის ეროვნული პარკი). Vashlovani Strict Nature Reserve and several Natural Monuments, such as Eagle Gorge and Takhti-Tepa Mud Volcanoes, are also part of the Vashlovani Protected Areas system.

Protected Area Type:

National Park (IUCN Category II), Strict Nature Reserve (IUCN Ia), and Natural Monuments (IUCN III). The National Park strikes a balance between protecting the environment and allowing visitors to come in.

Established:

2003 (National Park and more protected areas). The Vashlovani Strict Nature Reserve has been around since 1935.

Managing Body:

The Agency of Protected Areas (APA) of Georgia is in charge.

Getting to Vashlovani National Park

Location:

Dedoplistskaro Municipality in Georgia’s Kakheti Region. It is in the very southeast corner of Georgia, next to Azerbaijan.

Map/Coordinates:

About 41°10′ N, 46°30′ E. You need good maps to find your way around the park’s internal trails, and you can get them at the visitor center or the APA.

Closest Cities/Towns:

The main gateway town is Dedoplistskaro, where the visitor center and permit offices are. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to drive from Dedoplistskaro to Sighnaghi. It takes a few hours to get to Tbilisi.

How to Get There:

• Road to Dedoplistskaro: You can get there by paved road from Tbilisi (about 130 km, 2–3 hours).
• Inside the Park: You need a 4WD vehicle with a high clearance. The park’s roads are dirt paths that aren’t paved. Depending on the weather, they can be rough, rocky, or muddy. The distances between sites are big. In Dedoplistskaro, you can often arrange for 4WD transportation, sometimes through the visitor center.
• Permits: To enter most park areas, you need to have both a registration and a border police permit. Get these in Dedoplistskaro (it takes time and you need your passport).
• Public Transport: Dedoplistskaro can use public transportation. There is no public transportation in the park.

Closest Airport:

The closest airport is Tbilisi International Airport (TBS).

Landscape and Geography

Area:

The Vashlovani National Park is 24,924 hectares (249.24 km²). The Vashlovani Protected Areas cover a total of 35,292 hectares.

Topography:

The land is unique and dry, with semi-desert, steppe plains, badlands (eroded clay hills known locally as “ariqebi”), river canyons and terraces along the Alazani and Iori rivers, light arid woodlands, and mud volcanoes. The altitude is not very high, usually between 100 and 600 meters.

Geology and Key Features:

The area is mostly made up of sedimentary rocks that are easy to erode, like clays and sandstones, which create dramatic canyons and badlands. Some of the most important things to see are Eagle Gorge (Artsivi Kheoba), the Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes, the Alazani River floodplain forests (tugai), the cliffs of the Datviskhevi canyon, and paleontological sites with animal fossils.

Hydrology:

The Alazani River (which forms the border with Azerbaijan) runs along one side, and the Iori River basin is on the other. Many small streams and gullies that only flow during certain times of the year. There are active mud volcanoes in Takhti-Tepa. There aren’t many water sources in the park, and the ones that are there are often salty or mineralized.

Climate:

The climate is dry continental or semi-arid. The summers are very hot and dry, with temperatures often going over 40°C. The winters are mild and there isn’t much snow that stays on the ground. There isn’t much rain (about 400–500 mm per year), and it mostly falls in the spring and early summer. It is possible for strong winds to happen.

Why is Vashlovani National Park Important?

Reason for Designation:

To protect Georgia’s unique dry and semi-dry ecosystems, such as steppes, dry woodlands, badlands, and floodplain forests, as well as the unique plants and animals that live there. To protect important populations of raptors and rare species like the leopard, hyena, and gazelle. To protect one-of-a-kind geological features and paleontological sites. To encourage ecotourism that is regulated.

Key Values:

The landscape in Georgia and the Caucasus is one of a kind. Important biodiversity that can live in dry places. A key place for rare birds of prey to breed and find food. Important geological features like canyons and mud volcanoes. Place where Leopard was recently confirmed. Possible for scientific research and ecotourism that is more focused.

International Recognition:

• Emerald Network Site.
• Important Bird Area (IBA).

Flora and Fauna: The Park’s Natural World

Ecosystems and Habitats:

Arid light woodland (pistachio, juniper), steppe grasslands, semi-desert vegetation, badlands, riparian (floodplain) forests, cliffs, and canyons.

Key Plant Species:

Wild pistachio, juniper species, and a number of shrubs and grasses that can survive in dry conditions. Along rivers, you can find poplar, oak, and ash trees. Tulips and irises are two types of wildflowers that bloom in the spring. Plants that are native to an area and are not common have adapted to dry, sometimes salty soils.

Key Animal Species:

• Mammals: Important species are the leopard (Panthera pardus), which is very rare, the striped hyena, the goitered gazelle (which has been reintroduced), the golden jackal, the red fox, the wolf, the jungle cat, the wild boar, and the European hare. A variety of bats and rodents.
• Birds: Very important for birds of prey like the Imperial Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Black Vulture, Long-legged Buzzard, and Saker Falcon. There are also Chukar Partridges, Black Francolins, Rose-colored Starlings (in large groups during certain times of the year), and a number of wheatears, shrikes, and buntings. Eagle Gorge is a great place to be.
• Reptiles: A lot of different kinds. The Greek Tortoise, the Caucasian Agama, several lizards, the Montpellier Snake, the Blotched Snake, and the Lebetine Viper.

Endangered/Rare Species:

The leopard (critically endangered), the striped hyena (regionally rare), the goitered gazelle (vulnerable globally, reintroduced population), the imperial eagle (vulnerable), the Egyptian vulture (endangered), and the saker falcon (endangered). Greek Tortoise (at risk). Francolin black. Many species are at the edge of their range or have adapted to this unique, fragile habitat.

Planning Your Visit

Visitor Center:

Yes, the visitor center and main office are both in Dedoplistskaro town at 5 Baratashvili St. This is the most important first stop for getting information, registering, getting permits, maps, and making reservations for services and accommodations. Visit the APA website to find out how to get in touch and when they are open.

Hours and Seasons:

The park is open all year round with permits, but:

• Best Seasons: Spring (April-May) for wildflowers and greener landscapes; Autumn (September-October) for nice weather.
• Avoid Summer: From June to August, it’s very hot, which makes traveling and hiking hard and possibly dangerous.
• Winter: Usually mild, but after rain or snow, the tracks can get muddy and hard to get through.

Entrance Fees and Permits:

Yes, there are fees for entering the park and permits. There are extra fees for staying in park bungalows or using certain campsites. You need a border zone permit, which is free and can be gotten at the Border Police office in Dedoplistskaro (the visitor center can usually help). Before going to the park, make sure you have enough time (maybe an hour or more) to register and get your permit in Dedoplistskaro.

Trails and Routes:

There is a network of marked routes that are mostly for 4WD vehicles. You can hike on some parts of these routes or on shorter trails that are only a few miles long. Routes link important places like the Datviskhevi, Pantishara valley, and the Mijniskure viewpoint, as well as the Eagle Gorge and Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes. Be careful when navigating; maps and GPS are very helpful. Routes often include driving and short walks to see things or viewpoints.

Activities:

4WD driving tours (the most common way to see the area), hiking (on certain trails or parts of trails), birdwatching (great), wildlife spotting (gazelles are common; other animals require luck and patience), taking pictures of the landscape, visiting mud volcanoes and canyons, and camping.

Accommodation:

• Inside the park: There are basic tourist bungalows (small cottages with beds and sometimes a kitchen and bathroom) at Mijniskure and Datviskhevi. There are specific places where you can camp. It is very important to book ahead of time through the Dedoplistskaro visitor center.
• Nearby: In the town of Dedoplistskaro, there are a number of guesthouses and basic hotels.

Facilities:

A visitor center in Dedoplistskaro. Marked paths for 4WD and hiking. Bungalows and campsites (amenities vary, so check when you book; they are usually basic, like pit toilets and limited water). Places to have a picnic. There are information boards at some places. There aren’t many reliable sources of drinking water inside the park, so it’s important to bring your own. There isn’t much or any cell phone service in most parts of the park.

Safety Advice:

• Vehicle: Only use a reliable, high-clearance 4WD vehicle that is in good shape. Take extra tires and basic tools with you. Fill up the gas tank in Dedoplistskaro (there won’t be any gas after that).
• Water: VERY IMPORTANT: Bring enough drinking water for everyone (at least 4 to 5 liters per person per day in cooler weather, and much more in hot weather). Don’t count on finding water to drink in the park.
• Heat: Don’t hike or do other strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day (midday/afternoon) in the summer. Wear hats, sunscreen, and light clothes.
• Navigation: Don’t just follow signs. Use a GPS or compass and maps. The distances are big, so it’s easy to get lost. Tell the visitor center or rangers about your planned route.
• Wildlife: Be careful of snakes, especially venomous vipers. Wear sturdy boots and watch where you step. Don’t bother any animals. Keep food safe.
• Border Zone: Follow all the rules for getting a border permit. Don’t try to cross the border into Azerbaijan. Work with the Border Police patrols completely.
• Self-Sufficiency: Be ready to be alone. Bring food, a full first-aid kit, and a way to talk to people if you can (a satellite phone is best for trips to remote areas).

Park Rules and Regulations

Code of Conduct:

Follow the Leave No Trace rules strictly (pack it in, pack it out). To protect delicate soil and plants, stay on marked paths and roads. Be kind to animals. Only camp and make fires in safe, designated areas. Be a responsible driver and don’t bother animals.

Prohibitions:

Hunting is strictly forbidden. You can’t drive off of the marked paths. You can’t hurt geological formations, like walking on mud volcanoes. You can’t collect plants, fossils, or animals. Due to the risk of fire, lighting fires is very limited. Only use designated fire pits when you are allowed to, and make sure the fires are completely out. Follow the rules for the border zone closely. You need special permission to use a drone.

Zoning:

The Vashlovani Protected Areas have a Strict Nature Reserve (where most visitors can’t go), a National Park (where most visitors go), and Natural Monuments (specific sites like Eagle Gorge and Takhti-Tepa).

Conservation and Management

Managing Body:

The Agency of Protected Areas (APA) is in charge of the Vashlovani Protected Areas Administration, which is based in Dedoplistskaro. Park rangers keep an eye on things.

Conservation Efforts:

Key conservation efforts include keeping an eye on rare species (like using cameras to trap leopards, counting raptor nests, and monitoring gazelles), anti-poaching patrols (which work with border police), controlling visitor access and effects, maintaining limited infrastructure, preventing fires, supporting research (in paleontology and biology), and the Goitered Gazelle reintroduction project.

Threats/Challenges:

Water shortages and drought, which are made worse by climate change. There has been and could still be pressure from livestock grazing in the past. Illegal fishing and poaching, especially along the Alazani River. There is a chance of fires in the steppe and forest. Managing the effects of tourism in a fragile, dry area. Problems with being close to the border. Making sure that people can make a living in their own communities.

Historical and Cultural Significance

A Brief History:

The area is important for paleontology because fossils of prehistoric animals have been found there. The Vashlovani State Reserve was created in 1935, mostly because of its unique dry forests. In 2003, the National Park and larger Protected Areas were set up to protect the surrounding area. Shepherds from Tusheti and other places used the area as winter pastures for a long time.

Cultural Importance:

The park is mostly natural, but the area around it has historical sites like the medieval Khornabuji Fortress, which looks over the Alazani valley, and the St. Elias Mountain cave monastery complex. The park’s caves show that people lived there a long time ago. The cultural connection between this area and other parts of Georgia is the tradition of sheep farming.

Interesting Facts About Vashlovani

Unique Features:

• The most important part of Georgia is its semi-desert, steppe, and badlands landscapes, which are unlike any other in the country.
• One of the last places in Georgia and the Caucasus where the critically endangered Leopard can live.
• Where the Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes are active.
• Eagle Gorge is a beautiful canyon famous for its eagles and vultures that nest there.
• Has a lot of vertebrate fossils from the Neogene period.
• The name “Vashlovani” means “apple orchard,” which is funny because the wild pistachio trees that grow there look like sparse orchards.
• Because it is next to Azerbaijan, it needs mandatory border zone permits to get in.