Vashlovani National Park is a national park located in the eastern part of Georgia, and was established in 1935 to preserve its unique shallow forests. In April 2003 the Reserve's area was expanded to 84.80 km2 and Vashlovani National Park (251.14 km2) was made.
The area is characterized by its dry climate sitting only 150-50 meters above sea level.
Vashlovani State Reserve is notable for its unique, bad-land-like areas of desert and semi-desert steppe vegetation and arid and deciduous forests. It's also home to the great cliffs-of-the-canyons, known in the area as the "Sharp Walls", and the magnificent Alazani flood plains and forests.
Getting there
The national park is located in very eastern part of the country. The easiest way to reach to park is by car. The drive from Tbilisi is approximately 3 hours.
When to visit
The park is open all year but most popular during the warmer months. It gets very cold during winter and you should be properly prepared if you are planning to visit during this season.
Map of Vashlovani National Park
Image gallery of Vashlovani National Park
Sights in Vashlovani National Park
Some national parks contain more than just natural wonders. This list shows you some of the sights that are located in the national park. This includes museums, cathedrals, bridges, dams and much more.
Visitor/Information centres in Vashlovani National Park
Most national parks have an associated visitor centre to help visitors. They are usually open most of the year but some close in the off-season. You will often be able to find information on all the activities in the national park. A visit to the visitor centre is often recommended before venturing into the park.
Cabins & Shelters
This section lists some of the cabins and shelters for the national park. They can be great places to stay for the experience or as overnight stays on hikes.
Wildlife in Vashlovani National Park
These sections shows you some of the characteristic wildlife to the national park.
Mushroom hunting in Vashlovani National Park
Mushroom hunting is popular in the region and you will se plenty of locals foraging. There is not a lot of available information on mushroom hunting in Georgia and you should therefore speak to local authorities about your plans to forage. National parks often have more restrictions than other areas as they are protected.
Be sure get a local guide or familiarize yourself with the mushrooms in the region.
Camping rules in Vashlovani National Park
Wild camping is legal and it is a popular activity in Georgia. There are plenty of remote places to wild camp with beautiful surroundings. Be sure to check with local authorities regarding the specific area in which you are looking to wild camp. They will be able to tell you more about the local area and wildlife. Always make sure to leave no trace when camping.
Bears in Vashlovani National Park
Few bears in the park
This national park has bears and you need to take the necessary precautions. It is however unlikely that you will come across a bear.
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