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National parks of the world. The main national parks and reserves of the world

10 national parks and reserves in Russia

Ecotourism, or ecotourism, is travel to places with relatively untouched nature. The main principle for such a trip is not to harm the environment, so ecological routes mainly run through national parks and reserves.

Zabaikalsky National Park.

The Zabaikalsky National Park is located within a typical mountain-taiga region. The relief is mountainous. Within the boundaries of the park, large orographic units are distinguished: the Svyatonossky Range, the Barguzinsky Range, the Chivyrkuisky Isthmus and the Ushkany Islands.

Two mountain ranges extend across the territory of the park in the direction from northeast to southwest: the Barguzinsky Range - gradually lowering from the Barguzinsky Reserve to Lake. Barmashovoye (the highest elevation of the ridge within the park is 2376 m above sea level) and the Sredinny Ridge of the Svyatoi Nos Peninsula (the highest elevation approximately in the middle part of 1877 m), gradually lowering to the north and south. The Chivyrkui Isthmus connects the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula with the eastern shore of Lake Baikal. The Ushkany Islands (Bolshoy Ushkany Island and Small Ushkany Islands) are the peaks of the Academic Ridge, which divides the Baikal depression into two basins - northern and southern.

Altai reserve.

Altai Reserve is a World natural heritage UNESCO since 1998. Included in World Wide Web biosphere reserves of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) – 26 May 2009. Included in the Global-200 (WWF) list of virgin or little-modified ecoregions of the world, in which 90% of the planet's biodiversity is concentrated.

The territory occupied by the Altai Reserve includes five physiographic regions of three natural provinces. In the spectrum altitudinal zonality almost all stand out natural belts Gorny Altai: taiga low and middle mountains, subalpine and alpine meadow middle and high mountains, tundra-steppe high mountains, tundra middle and high mountains, glacial-nival high mountains. Forests occupy 34% of the total area of the main zone. They are located in the lower and middle parts of the mountains, on the steep slopes of the valleys, as well as on the lower parts of the sloping crests. The lower border of the forest begins at the level of 436 meters (the level of Lake Teletskoye), and the upper one is different in different parts. So, if in the southeast it is at an altitude of 2000-2200 m above sea level, then in the northwest it drops to a level of 1800-2000 m.

Lazovsky Reserve.

Of particular value to the protected area is a unique grove of relic yew pointed on about. Petrov, thickets of endemic cross-pair microbiota, populations of such rare animals as the Amur goral, Amur tiger, Ussuri sika deer.

The Lazovsky Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, between the rivers Kievka and Chernaya. Ridge Zapovedny divides the territory of the reserve into two parts - northern continental and southern coastal. The average height of the mountains is 500-700 m, some peaks reach 1200-1400 m above sea level. The slopes of the mountains have different steepness, on average 20-25 degrees, their ridges are narrow, but flat. Significant areas are occupied by stony placers. The height of the spurs decreases in the east towards the sea, watershed ranges pass into small hilly ridges up to 100 m high.

Reserve "Kedrovaya Pad".

The very first nature reserve Far East and one of the oldest reserves in Russia, formed to preserve and study the unique for Russia undisturbed liana coniferous-broad-leaved forests of Southern Primorye, characterized by a high proportion of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. The reserve and its surroundings the only place in Russia where he lives far eastern leopard.

The most valuable are black-fir-broad-leaved forests or black-fir forests, the Far Eastern leopard, on Mount Chalban plants are common that are very rare in other places of the Far East - currant bloater, Komarov's currant. In the reserve, for the first time, a rocky primrose was found (on Mount Chalban) and species new to science were described - the Far Eastern violet and the Ussuri corydalis. The Kedrovaya River flows on the territory of the reserve - its length does not exceed 25 kilometers. It is she who is the ideal of a clean river for scientists all over the world.

National Park Samarskaya Luka.

The Samarskaya Luka National Park was established in 1984 by decision of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, and is one of the first three in Russia national parks.

Samarskaya Luka is a unique area formed by the bend of the largest European river Volga in its middle course and the Usinsky Bay of the Kuibyshev reservoir. The Volga in this place makes a large arc facing east, and then turns to the southwest. Its length is more than 200 km. Highly elevated ancient carbonate rocks here form a semblance of an island.

An unusually high concentration of monuments of almost all known to science cultures of the European forest-steppe, from the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age to the present. In the territory Samarskaya Luka there are about 200 natural and historical monuments. It is also rich in archaeological finds.

Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park.

The Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was formed on the territory of the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts Smolensk region in 1992 "to save natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes. In November 2002, it was awarded the status of a biosphere reserve of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. The name "Smolenskoye Poozerye" is due to 35 large and small glacial lakes located in the park. Each of these lakes is beautiful and unique in its own way.

By configuration, the territory of the park is almost a regular rhombus. The maximum distance from west to east is 55 km, from north to south - 50 km. The geographical center of the park is located in the area of the village. Przhevalskoye. The total area of the park within the boundaries approved by state acts is 146,237 hectares. The security zone is 500 m of territory adjacent to the border of the park.

National Park Curonian Spit.

The Curonian Spit National Park is located in the part of the Kaliningrad region bordering Lithuania on a narrow strip of land between the salty by the Baltic Sea and freshwater Curonian Lagoon. The northern borders of the park run along the Russian-Lithuanian border.

The natural uniqueness of the territory of the national park is that it is the largest sand bar in the world. The dune landscapes of the spit are distinguished by their exceptional beauty and aesthetic impact on humans and represent a unique object for the development of ecological tourism.

The Curonian Spit was regarded as “an exceptional example of a landscape consisting of sand dunes and under constant threat from natural forces such as wind and water. After the destructive intervention of a man who threatened the existence of the spit, it was restored through stabilization and protection work begun in the 19th century and continuing to this day. The territory is currently curonian spit is officially under the protection of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Valdai National Park.

The Valdaisky National Park was established to preserve the unique lake-forest complex of the Valdai Upland and create conditions for the development of organized recreation in this area. The basis for the creation of the park was the unique combination and richness of natural components, the degree of their preservation and the possibility of maintaining ecological balance, the huge aesthetic impact of natural landscapes. A differentiated regime of special protection has been established on the territory of the park, taking into account its natural, historical and cultural features. In accordance with this, the following functional zones have been identified: reserved, specially protected, recreational, regulated use zone around lakes and rivers, as well as a visitor service zone.

Ilmensky reserve.

One of the oldest reserves in Russia, established in 1920 to preserve unique mineral deposits. Since 1935, it has been transformed into a complex reserve for the conservation and study of mineral wealth, flora and fauna of the eastern macroslope Southern Urals. In 1991, the Arkaim historical and archaeological branch (now the Stepnoye forestry) was attached to the reserve to preserve and study the unique monument of the early urban civilization of the Bronze Age - the Arkaim settlement and the archaeological complex in the Bolshekaraganskaya valley. The reserve is the only mineralogical reserve in the country and one of the few mineralogical reserves in the world.

The anthropogenic load on nature is so great that many animals and plants simply cannot withstand it, disappearing from the surface of the earth. Trying to save biodiversity leads to the need to limit economic activity people, at least in individual areas. This is how specially protected territories arise: nature reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries.

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Saving the best

In Russia, which has large spaces with varied climatic conditions, there are more 100 reserved places , including about 30 million hectares of land. Among them are mineralogical, arctic, hydrological, biospheric, marine, and so on. The regions leading by the number of protected areas are:

Volga region,
Far East,
Baikal and Southern Siberia.

Natural reserves of Russia are located in all parts of the country and are called upon to protect the most valuable wealth - nature. Their diversity and uniqueness make it possible to truly appreciate the possibilities of the planet and the scale of evolutionary changes in living organisms. The list of reserves in Russia includes:

Dzherginsky,
Kuznetsk Alatau,
Alkhanai National Park,
Daursky,
Sokhondinsky,
Tunkinsky National Park,
Shor National Park,
Kuril,
Baikal-Lensky,
Komsomol,
Vitimsky,
Sikhote-Alinsky,
Bolshekhekhtsirsky,
Far East Marine,
Dzhugdzhursky,
Cedar Pad,
Lazovsky,
Zeisky,
Bologna,
Norsky and others.

Many of them known all over the world part is known only to experts. Almost all of them fall into the category biosphere reserves of Russia, i.e natural objects they are not only protected, but also constantly studied. Natural reserves of Russia are included in ratings of the most interesting in the world and the most inaccessible, since many of them are located in areas remote from cities, where there are often no good roads. Perhaps this is one of the factors that helps to save Russia's biosphere reserves from a large number of visitors and their negative impact.

Important! By 2020, the number of protected natural areas should increase, according to the adopted state Concept. It is planned to organize another 10 new ones.

Barguzinsky Reserve

The best of the best

Natural reserves of Russia famous not only for their beauty, but also for their uniqueness. Among them, there are many included in the UNESCO heritage list, as having no analogues in the world. Singularity provides both natural originality, and Interesting Facts about reserves, their origin and activities. Short description consider the most original in the list of the most-most nature reserves Russia.

Big and small

The first reserve in Russia - Barguzinsky, located on the territory of Buryatia, was officially organized in January 1917, literally on the eve of the revolution. Now January 11 is celebrated as the Day of Reserves and National Parks of Russia.

The reason for its organization was a sharp decrease in the number of sable in the area, so it was decided to allocate a site, the territory of which is protected. The idea turned out to be successful, and after a couple of years the population of predators recovered.

Apart from valuable fur animals The Barguzinsky Reserve is famous for its unique terrain, soil structure, unique flora, fauna and microclimate. Today it is closed to the public, part of it can be seen during a cruise on the lake. Not on its territory is the village of Davsha, where inspectors and researchers. There are no roads in the protected area, you can get into it only by water.

The youngest is Shaitan-Tau, located in the South Urals and organized in 2014. Its territory is small - 67 square kilometers, includes a territory with a very difficult terrain, due to which a harsh climate is observed here: cold winters and hot summers. The slopes are covered with oak forests, which are inhabited by animals of the reserve, which have a small number in the Ural region:

Brown bear,
black grouse,
capercaillie,
elk and others.

Far Eastern marine reserve

Rank most big nature reserve in Russia is the Great Arctic, it is located on the Taimyr Peninsula, additionally includes the nearby sea area and several islands located in the Northern Arctic Ocean. It was organized at the end of the 20th century to protect birds that fly through this territory:

brown-winged plover,
peregrine falcon,
sandpiper,
white-fronted goose,
dunlin,
black goose,
white-tailed sandpiper and others.

The number of mammals and fish in this area is small, as well as vegetation, however, plants and animals are unique, characteristic of this particular area. climatic conditions and therefore even more valuable. The reserve accepts tourists, it has several routes available for visitors.

Big Arctic

The smallest reserve in Russia located in the center Lipetsk region, is called "Galichya Mountain". Its area is only 200 hectares, on which a unique flora grows, characteristic of both highlands or taiga forests, and forest-steppe regions. middle lane. Plant species grow here:

feather grass,
skullcap squat,
Dendrantema Zavadsky,
Shiverekia Podolskaya,
lapland plantain,
onosma protozoa and other plant species.

Among them fly single wild bees: maceous melitturga, rounded megachila, gray rophytoides. More than 20 species of other insects listed in the Red Book. The unique composition of birds, including:

white stork,
dubrovnik,
pygmy eagle,
pink starling,
scura,
long-tailed tit.

Fanciful exposed forms of Devonian limestone have "fabulous" names: "Teschin's tongue", "Bogatyr".

Attention! Today it is open for organized visits; there is a bird nursery on the territory.

galichya mountain

The protected area closest to people is within the boundaries of Moscow, 8 kilometers from the Kremlin. The trees growing here are 250 and 300 years old and are classified as natural monuments. Animal world is very diverse and includes:

moose,
boars,
spotted deer,
hares,
hedgehogs,
voles,
stoats,
shrews and many others.

At the same time, many small species of animals adapt to live in the metropolis, mastering parks and other green areas.

Unique beauty

The title of the most beautiful reserves is shared by several protected areas at once:

Baikal,
pillars,
Kuznetsk Alatau,
Altaic,
Kronotsky.

The most beautiful reserves in Russia are united by unusual geological formations on which flora and fauna have formed. Baikalsky is located around a unique natural monument - Lake Baikal. Deciduous and coniferous forests, serving as a home for several hundred species of animals, some of which are endemic to the area. Included in the boundaries of the protected area and part of the lake. There are hiking trails and campsites, part of it is open to the public.

Kuznetsk Alatau is located in a unique valley in the south of Siberia, bounded on all sides. This location creates a unique ecosystem inside with clean mountain streams and cedar forests densely populated with animals and birds.

Kuznetsk Alatau

The reserve "Stolby" got its name due to the granite-syenite blocks, densely standing in some areas. Location near the city of Krasnoyarsk and the local ski resort makes its territory very popular for visitors, but a significant part of it is closed to tourists in order to avoid the destruction of the "Pillars" and for security purposes.

Most famous nature reserves Russia. Kronotsky on the Kamchatka Peninsula is included in this list. Popularity brought him numerous geysers and thermal lakes located throughout the territory. A fantastic landscape with fountains bursting out of the ground and smoking lakes do not leave visitors indifferent. However, due to the fragility of the valley's ecosystem, they try to limit access to it so that tourists do not destroy the unique landscape.

The "Golden Mountains of Altai", surrounded on three sides by mountains, and from the south by Lake Teletskoye, are filled with dense forests, among which there are lakes with clean water. Living in a protected area a large number of animals listed in the Red Book, including Snow Leopard, about which there are many legends, since the animal is very secretive. Available for visiting, fishing is even allowed on its territory.

TOP 5 most beautiful reserves in Russia

RTG TV TOP10 — Reserves. Nature of Russia.

Conclusion

You can look at the natural reserves of Russia endlessly, their beauty and unique natural landscapes are the main value of mankind, which the state and society are trying to preserve for posterity. People who have visited Russia's natural reserves will forever keep their impressions in their memory.

Zabaikalsky National Park.

Altai reserve.

The Altai Reserve has been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site since 1998. Included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB) - May 26, 2009. Included in the Global-200 (WWF) list of virgin or little-modified ecoregions of the world, in which 90% of the planet's biodiversity is concentrated.

The territory occupied by the Altai Reserve includes five physiographic regions of three natural provinces. In the spectrum of altitudinal zonality, almost all natural belts of the Altai Mountains are distinguished: taiga low and middle mountains, subalpine and alpine meadow middle and high mountains, tundra-steppe high mountains, tundra middle and high mountains, glacial-nival high mountains. Forests occupy 34% of the total area of the main zone. They are located in the lower and middle parts of the mountains, on the steep slopes of the valleys, as well as on the lower parts of the sloping crests. The lower border of the forest begins at the level of 436 meters (the level of Lake Teletskoye), and the upper one is different in different parts. So, if in the southeast it is at an altitude of 2000-2200 m above sea level, then in the northwest it drops to a level of 1800-2000 m.

Lazovsky Reserve.

Of particular value to the protected area is a unique grove of relic yew pointed on about. Petrov, thickets of endemic microbiota of a cross-pair population of such rare animals as the Amur goral, the Amur tiger, the Ussuri spotted deer.

The Lazovsky Reserve is located on the southern spurs of the Sikhote-Alin, between the rivers Kievka and Chernaya. Ridge Zapovedny divides the territory of the reserve into two parts - northern continental and southern coastal. The average height of the mountains is 500-700 m, some peaks reach 1200-1400 m above sea level. The slopes of the mountains have different steepness, on average 20-25 degrees, their ridges are narrow, but flat. Significant areas are occupied by stony placers. The height of the spurs decreases in the east towards the sea, the watershed ridges pass into small hilly ridges up to 100 m high.

Reserve "Kedrovaya Pad".

The very first reserve in the Far East and one of the oldest reserves in Russia, formed to preserve and study the undisturbed liana coniferous-deciduous forests of Southern Primorye, unique for Russia, characterized by a high proportion of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. The reserve and its environs is the only place in Russia where the Far Eastern leopard lives.

National Park Samarskaya Luka.

The Samarskaya Luka National Park was created in 1984 by decision of the Council of Ministers of the RSFSR, and is one of the first three national parks in Russia.

Samarskaya Luka is a unique area formed by the bend of the largest European river Volga in its middle course and the Usinsk Bay of the Kuibyshev reservoir. The Volga in this place makes a large arc facing east, and then turns to the southwest. Its length is more than 200 km. Highly elevated ancient carbonate rocks here form a semblance of an island.

There is an unusually high concentration of monuments of almost all cultures of the European forest-steppe known to science, from the Bronze Age and Early Iron Age to the present. There are about 200 natural and historical monuments on the territory of Samarskaya Luka. It is also rich in archaeological finds.

Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park.

The Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park was established on the territory of the Demidovsky and Dukhovshchinsky districts of the Smolensk region in 1992 "to preserve natural complexes for recreational, educational, scientific and cultural purposes." In November 2002, it was awarded the status of a biosphere reserve of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program. The name "Smolenskoye Poozerye" is due to 35 large and small glacial lakes located in the park. Each of these lakes is beautiful and unique in its own way.

National Park Curonian Spit.

The Curonian Spit National Park is located in the Kaliningrad region bordering Lithuania on a narrow strip of land between the salty Baltic Sea and the freshwater Curonian Lagoon. The northern borders of the park run along the Russian-Lithuanian border.

The Curonian Spit was regarded as “an exceptional example of a landscape consisting of sand dunes and under constant threat from natural forces such as wind and water. After the destructive intervention of a man who threatened the existence of the spit, it was restored through stabilization and protection work begun in the 19th century and continuing to this day. Currently, the territory of the Curonian Spit is officially under the protection of the UNESCO Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.

Valdai National Park.

Ilmensky reserve.

One of the oldest reserves in Russia, established in 1920 to preserve unique mineral deposits. Since 1935, it has been transformed into a complex reserve for the conservation and study of mineral wealth, flora and fauna of the eastern macroslope of the Southern Urals. In 1991, the Arkaim historical and archaeological branch (now the Stepnoye forestry) was attached to the reserve to preserve and study the unique monument of the early urban civilization of the Bronze Age - the Arkaim settlement and the archaeological complex in the Bolshekaraganskaya valley. The reserve is the only mineralogical reserve in the country and one of the few mineralogical reserves in the world.

Some governments are making great efforts to protect certain areas in order to preserve cultural and cultural heritage for future generations. natural resources of his people.

There are more than 160 thousand protected areas in the world. In total, they occupy 10% of the entire surface of the planet. Here are the biggest ones:

The largest nature reserves in the world

1. Papahanaumokuakea (area - 1.5 million km²)

monk seal

The first to propose the idea of creating a conservation area in Hawaii ex-president USA Theodore Roosevelt back in 1909. But only 100 years later, in 2006, George W. Bush, with the support of the US Department of Commerce and the Interior, who provided funding, created the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument.

And in 2016, Barack Obama almost quadrupled the protected area, making Papahanaumokuakea the largest nature reserve in the world.

More than 7,000 species of various plant and animal species live here, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal.

2. Northeast Greenland National Park (area - 972 thousand km²)

Considering that the national park covers the entire northern part of Greenland, it is recognized as one of the largest national parks in the world. Its dimensions are larger than the area 163 out of 195 existing states peace.

This national park is home to polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls and many other species, some of which are on the verge of extinction. The park was created in 1974, over time its territory increased, and in 1977 it already received the status of a biosphere reserve of international importance.

3. Marine Protected Area of the Chagos Archipelago (area - 544 thousand km²)

The territory of the world's largest marine conservation area is under the auspices of the UK and is the largest reserve of marine life on the planet.

The territory of the region is larger than France and is located 500 km south of Maldives. The reserve covers seven atolls and coral islands with the most beautiful and diverse underwater natural world, which plays a key role in the formation of the local ecosystem.

Chagos is home to over 1200 species of corals, various fish and one of the most rare species sea turtles.

4. Kavango-Zambezi transboundary reserve (area - 444 thousand km²)

The reserve covers the territory of several African countries: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It is home to several national parks, including Chobe, Nhai Pan and Bwabwata, the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

The Kavango Zambezi was founded to protect the migration of animals from one country to another. biological resource The region contains one of the largest populations of elephants on the African continent.

5. Protected area of the Phoenix Islands (area - 408 thousand km²)

The protected area is located on the territory of the Republic of Kiribati and is the largest natural reserve marine life in the Pacific Ocean.

These places are connected to the mystery of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart, a famous female pilot whose plane in 1937 is believed to have disappeared in these waters.

Five of the eight protected islands are home to extremely rare endangered bird species that attract the attention of tourists and explorers. Some areas of the reserve can be visited, but only with special permission.

6. Great Barrier Reef (area - 344.4 thousand km²)

One of the most interesting natural attractions in Australia is, of course, the Great Barrier Reef - the largest accumulation of corals in the world. There are many in one place exotic species marine flora and fauna.

The area was declared a national park due to the fact that corals began to disappear rapidly due to pollution. environment. Now, for example, tourists and surfers visiting the nature park are required to follow strict rules of conduct.

The Great Barrier Reef is located near the state of Queensland and consists of a chain of more than 900 islands and 2,900 individual reefs, stretching 2,600 kilometers in length.

Tourism in this region brings Australia billions of dollars in income.

7. Galapagos Marine Reserve (area - 133 thousand km²)

marine iguana

The islands of the archipelago are located a thousand kilometers from the coast of Ecuador. The reserve is home to many species of sharks, whales, turtles, and fish. Remote location, mixing warm and cold sea currents, fresh and salt water, contributed to the development of an extraordinary animal world.

Charles Darwin studied different kinds animals that lived on these islands, and later, based on the analysis of the data obtained, developed his theory of evolution.

The biggest threat to the region's biodiversity today is illegal fishing, lobster, sea cucumbers(holothurians) and some species of sharks.

8. Air and Tenere National Reserve (area - 77.36 thousand km²)

The protected area is located in Niger and is under the protection of UNESCO. The name appeared as a result of a combination of the names of the two regions where the reserve is located: the eastern part on the Air plateau, and the western part in the Tener desert (part of the Sahara).

The reserve is home to various endangered animal species, and only some of its parts are accessible to tourists.

Dunes, caves, canyons, underwater caves and other geographical features that are found only in this part of the world have become a distinctive feature of this territory.

There is a mountain of real marble, as well as sand dunes with an ever-changing appearance.

9. Rangel St. Elias (area - 53.3 thousand km²)

This national park and sanctuary was created in 1980 and is located on the territory of southern Alaska and nine states of the USA.

The 16 mountain peaks of this park are the highest in the United States, and the local landscapes are reminiscent of the Swiss Alps.

10. Transfrontier Park Big Limpopo (area - 37.6 thousand km²)

protected area The park continues to expand and currently covers land in Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe, bringing together several national parks.

Animals inhabiting the area: African elephants, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, white rhinos, cheetahs, mongooses, etc.

Tourism is developed here, various safaris are held. In addition to standard jeep tours, there are canoe tours, walking tours, and various events and festivals.

Big Limpopo

Africa has the largest nature reserve in the world. It is called Kavango Zambezi. The complex is located on the borders of five Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe. The total area of the reserve exceeds 44 million hectares. The protected area united 36 nature reserves and the lands surrounding them. Almost half of all elephants in Africa, more than 600 species of various plants and about 300 species of birds live in Kawang Zambezi.

With the formation of such nature protection complexes as the transnational nature reserve of Africa, which is called Kavango Zambezi (KAZA for short), which are prone to migration (elephants and rhinos), feel completely safe in a vast area the size of Sweden.

Tourist paradise

This land is home to many world-famous attractions. For example, despite the fact that this African reserve was founded quite recently (2011), one of the main tasks that the five states set themselves was to create conditions for the free migration of all animal species. In addition, for these countries, nature reserves and Africa are the most important tourist sites. Every year on this unique transboundary reserve thousands of tourists come from all over the world.

Animals

Undoubtedly, the main representatives of the animal world living in the complex are elephants. It’s probably hard to believe, but almost half of these giants from the total number of African elephants live in the protected area. 600 species of plants grow in these vast territories. Many of them are unique. In the most picturesque areas of the region, 300 species of birds have found their homes.

South Africa is a land where the incongruous combines in an amazing way. Landscapes striking in their beauty are concentrated in the reserves and national parks of the country.

Kruger park

The cross-border territory, with an area of 20 thousand square kilometers, is located between Zimbabwe and Mozambique. An elephant and a lion, a buffalo and a rhinoceros, a leopard feel quite comfortable here.

Statistics confirm the uniqueness of these places. The area occupied by this African reserve can be compared with the territory of Wales. It represents countless picturesque meadows and pastures, coastal forests, which are home to about 150 species of mammals, including the largest population of rhinos.

A five-hour drive from South Africa's largest metropolis, Johannesburg, you can see the inhabitants of the wild and get an unforgettable experience. For example, in Kruger Park you can watch the fight between a lion and a crocodile.

The most fearless tourists can go on a guided tour, accompanied by armed guards. Nature reserves and national parks in Africa are best visited in winter. At this time, the vegetation does not grow so rapidly and does not block the view. Animals can be seen at numerous water bodies, moreover, at this time the risk of contracting malaria is minimal.

Royal Natal

One of the most picturesque mountain ranges in Africa is the Drakensberg. The name translates as The sharp tops of the mountains here smoothly turn into green slopes, which are covered with bumps and bumps.

The Royal Natal National Park is located on a not too large area (2500 sq. Km), which is part of the Ukalamba complex - an object world heritage. Regardless, the Drakensberg is one of the most famous rock formations on Earth.

Sedeberg Nature Reserve

This mountain range is located 200 km north of Cape Town. The Sedeberg Africa Reserve consists of many sandstone hills, dense thickets fynbos and the magnificent Mount Saint Roque. Excursion routes last from one hour to several days.

During this walk you can enjoy wildlife these places. You can climb the steep slopes to the picturesque hills - Wolfberg Arch or Tourists prefer to stay at the Sanddrief base. There is an observatory and a huge wine cellar. The best time for a trip - from April to August. At this time, the weather for walking will be the best.

Mapungubwe

Africa's national reserves amaze tourists with their beauty pristine nature. Mapungubwe is no exception. It is located along the borders of Botswana and Zimbabwe, in the valley. In these places, giraffes and elephants, baboons and leopards leisurely stroll through the trees.

Mapungubwe is included in the World Heritage List and is a historical value, so if you are in Johannesburg, be sure to come here.

In ancient times, this territory was the center of the South African kingdom. In 1300 B.C. nine thousand people lived in these places. Archaeologists managed to find hills with burials in which unique valuables were buried, for example, a golden figurine of a rhinoceros. It is better to come here in June-August.

Blyde River

The nature reserves and parks of Africa differ from each other in their natural landscape. This canyon deserves to be seen with your own eyes. It rises above the Blyde River, and it seems that it breaks down from the tops of the Drakensberg ridge with the luxurious crowns of thousands of beautiful trees.

Even more beautiful this place is made by green gentle slopes, above which rise hills of sandstone and limestone. The most famous of these is the Triple Rondavel rock, with its huge arches and semicircular peaks that resemble the roofs of rondavels (African houses).

It is better not to visit the nature reserves of Africa from January to March. At this time, traveling here is not very comfortable - it descends from the mountains wet air and there is a risk of contracting malaria.

Isimangaliso

This place seems to be created for lovers of ecotourism. The name of this wetland park means "miracle" in the Zulu language. Can't be more specific about this place. The national park covers an area of 3320 sq. km is an ecosystem of global importance. The territory of Isimangaliso is covered with lakes, marshy forests, coral reefs. This is the largest river delta on the continent and about 220 km of beaches located on the shores of the Indian Ocean.

The reserves of Africa are large and not very large, mostly prepared to meet tourists. For example, Isimangaliso Park has excellent conditions for diving and horseback riding. Under the guidance of experienced instructors, you can kayak and watch wildlife.

During one day in these places you can see a whale and a rhinoceros. This park, located 375 km from Durban, is especially good from June to October, when there is no exhausting heat, and the risk of contracting malaria is minimal.

Namakua

Not all nature reserves in Africa can boast such unique vegetation as Namakuwaland, located along the coast of South Africa. It is often called the African garden, blooming in spring with a thousand colors. This is a true decoration of the arid continent. From the beginning of August to the end of September, this beauty can be seen with your own eyes.

The park is located near Cape Town. This true treasury has the richest flora. What is the flowering of daisies in this park - this is a bewitching sight.

Kgalgadi Transboundary Park

A "wild island" of land, located on the hot sands of the Kalahari Desert. Kgalgadi Park is located in the transboundary zone between Botswana and South Africa - it is the world's largest protected area. There are many animals here - lions and ostriches, leopards and cheetahs that survive in these arid lands.

Ktugalgadi Park is a great place to watch the big cats. However, care must be taken - at any moment you can find yourself with a lion on the same path.

table mountain

National park with strange name located in the Cape Peninsula. From here you have a breathtaking view of Cape Town, the oldest city in South Africa.

This park has many great opportunities to spend active rest. Here you will be offered to fly on a paraglider from the rock Lion's Head. You can go rock climbing on the highest slope of Table Mountain, take a walk along the picturesque paths. Locals recommend climbing uphill through the meadows of the Kirstenbosch botanical garden.

Golden Gate

The Maluti Mountains are located 300 km northeast of the city of Bloemfontein. In the early morning here you can see herds of grazing antelope. The magnificent view of the mountains in the rays of the setting sun, when the slopes are covered with a golden color, gave the name to this park. Mount Brandwag is especially beautiful - it can be seen here from any point.

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