The “Ak Zhaiyk” State Nature Reserve, located in the Atyrau region, is a special place for nature lovers and tourists who appreciate ecotourism. The total area of the reserve is 341 thousand hectares and it is located at the confluence of the Ural River into the Caspian Sea. This place is an important point on the bird migration route of global scale.
In 2014, the reserve was included in the UNESCO network of biosphere reserves. Today, millions of birds inhabit or stop in this region during migration. Among them are flamingos, storks, Dalmatian pelicans, and other rare birds. 292 species of birds are registered in the reserve, 26 of which are listed in the “Red Book” of Kazakhstan.
In order to develop tourism, special land and water routes have been developed in the reserve. This allows travelers to enjoy the beauty of nature and get acquainted with rare species of flora and fauna. Among the plants of the reserve, the rare floating salvinia, the Schrenck tulip, and the chylium (water chestnut) are under special protection.
To get to the “Ak Zhaiyk” reserve from Atyrau, you must first drive by car to the Kurmangazy district, which is located 50-60 km from the city center. This place is easily accessible by taxi or private car. In the “Ak Zhaiyk” Nature Reserve, you can walk in nature and see rare species of plants and animals.
In addition, 78 species of mammals, 24 species of insects, and 2 species of reptiles are found in the reserve. This diversity of the natural environment makes it an important center for ecotourism.
By including the “Ak Zhaiyk” reserve in the tourism industry and developing infrastructure, it is possible to introduce the world to the natural resources of the region.
