Javakheti National Park National Park

Address: Javakheti National Park, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia

Website: https://apa.gov.ge/ (Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia)

Admission: Park entry fees and permits vary; contact the Georgian Protected Areas Agency for current details

Javakheti National Park is a protected area on the Javakheti plateau in Samtskhe-Javakheti, southern Georgia, established to conserve highland wetlands, lakes and steppe habitats. The park protects a mosaic of alpine meadows, volcanic lakes and marshes important for biodiversity.

The park offers open highland scenery with volcanic lakes, peat bogs and seasonally wet meadows; it is noted for waterbird concentrations during migration and for opportunities to walk low-impact trails and observe wildlife at birdwatching points. Recreational activities are generally low-intensity and oriented to nature observation.

Designated by Georgian conservation authorities as a national park to conserve the plateau’s wetlands and associated species, the area has since been managed to balance conservation with low-impact local tourism and traditional land uses. Conservation work has focused on wetland protection and monitoring of bird populations.

Located in the southern highlands of Georgia near the borders with Armenia and Turkey, the park sits on the Javakheti volcanic plateau within Samtskhe-Javakheti region and is accessed from regional towns on the plateau.

• Birdlife: High-altitude wetlands and volcanic lakes provide important stopover habitat for migratory waterbirds and breeding sites for regional species.
• Elevation and terrain: Located on the Javakheti plateau at roughly 1,500-2,000 metres above sea level, featuring alpine and montane steppe landscapes.

Access from the regional hub of Akhalkalaki; road travel across the plateau requires a reliable vehicle. Contact the Georgian Agency of Protected Areas for maps, permits and guidance on the best routes and local guides.

• Hire a local guide for highland routes and to access cultural sites like small chapels and herding settlements.
• Bring layers - weather in Javakheti can be unpredictable with strong winds and rapid temperature swings.
• If birdwatching, bring a spotting scope: the plateau hosts many Georgian specialist species and migrants that require distance viewing.