Shirvan and Gobustan | Wildlife + Sightseeing
Overview
Easily accessible along the Baku-Astara highway 90 km south of Baku, Shirvan National Park is one
of Azerbaijan’s top all-round nature sites and is best known as the home of the iconic goitered gazelle. The gazelle is an absolute Azerbaijan success story since their numbers had dropped to just a few hundred animals in the 1960s but now count between 7,000 and 8,000 alone in Shirvan, and you’re guaranteed to see them during a visit here. Additionally, this huge area (54,000 ha) is a paradise for birdwatchers as it has recorded over 270 different species, many of which this is the most accessible site in Azerbaijan. The reason for such an abundance is its location on the Caspian coast bird migration path and its importance as a breeding, resting, and wintering site. The huge flocks of Little Bustards, sometimes numbering more than 25,000 birds, that spend the winter in the lowland steppes like in Shirvan is one of the top attractions for birdwatchers in Azerbaijan! They can also be seen further west inland and are usually present from mid-November to early March. A paradise for birdwatchers where over 270 different species have been recorded.
From prehistoric rock art to musical stones, the Azerbaijani people’s prehistoric past comes dramatically to life in the Gobustan State Reserve, home to an astonishing collection of over 6,000 ancient petroglyphs. Depicting scenes of people, warriors, animals, boats, dances, hunting, camel caravans, and more, they chart ways of life dating back between 5,000 and 20,000 years. Established in 1966 and covering 537 ha, the Gobustan State Reserve is located amid the Boyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdagh mountains, about 60 km south of Baku. Besides all the breathtaking rock art, visitors can also explore the remains of caves, settlements, and burial grounds used by humans between the Upper Paleolithic and the Middle Ages.
Key bird species. In spring (May is the best month) the following species are the main targets for these sites: Black Francolin, Blue-cheeked Bee-eater, Menetries's Warbler, Grey-headed Swamphen (Porphyrio poliocephalus), Ferruginous Duck, Little Bittern, Bluethroat, White-tailed Lapwing, European Roller and Olivaceous Isabelline Wheatear, Western Rock Nuthatch, Rock Sparrow, Finsch’s Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Red-billed Chough, breeding Turkestan Short-toed Lark etc.
eBird links of the birding sites: https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3223119 and https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6038692
Program
We will depart from Baku in the morning, with a brief stop at a supermarket before heading to Shirvan National Park. After arriving, we’ll enter the park and start exploring. We will search for such interesting species as Grey and Purple Herons, Marbled teal, Ferruginous Duck, Lesser Kestrel, Black Francolin, Grey-headed Swamphen, White-tailed Lapwing, White-winged and Whiskered Terns, Blue-cheeked and European Bee-eater, European Roller and Olivaceous and Menetriés's Warblers, Isabelline Wheatear, Lesser short-toed lark and more
Afterward, we’ll drive back towards the entrance, continuing our observations on the way. We’ll then depart for Gobustan, where we’ll visit the museum and look for birds on the rocks, including Red-billed chough, Chukar, Finch’s wheatear, and Eastern rock nuthatch.
Finally, we’ll head to the Gilinj mud volcanoes, where we’ll explore the site and visit the nature museum before returning to Baku, arriving by evening.
Food:
Lunch will be delivered to the park from nearby restaurant
* If any of you is vegan or vegetarian please inform us during the booking.
Transport*:
Mitsubishi Pajero (4 seater comfortable car)
Mercedes Vito (7 seater comfortable micro-bus)
Mercedes Sprinter (18 seater comfortable bus)
* Safari cars in Shirvan National Park can be arranged as part of the tour for an additional fee.
Tour Price
starting from
440
USD*
* The price is for one person and may vary based on group size and transfers to/from the starting point. Get in touch with us to receive a personalized quote.
Included:
All-inclusive from hotel to hotel in Baku;
All transport services;
Lunch;
Entrance tickets to the sites: Shirvan National Park, Gobustan Museum and Mud Volcanoes Complex;
Snacks, tea breaks;
Observation equipment: binoculars and scope;
English speaker guide and his/her expenses;
Company profit.
Excluded:
Alcoholic Beverages;
Anything that is not mentioned other side.
Book Now
All our tours are customizable. We are here to make the best tour program for you. Just tell us what you are looking for ...