Madatapa Lake Lake

Madatapa Lake is a shallow highland lake on the Javakheti plateau in Georgia’s Samtskhe-Javakheti region. It is notable as an important waterbird habitat on the plateau.

The lake is a natural feature of the volcanic Javakheti plateau and has been used locally for grazing, seasonal fishing and traditional land uses by nearby communities.

Madatapa lies on the Javakheti volcanic plateau in southern Georgia, within Samtskhe-Javakheti, close to the border area with Armenia and surrounded by upland steppe and pasture.

• Birdlife importance: An internationally important wetland for waterbirds, particularly known for supporting Dalmatian pelicans and other migratory species during breeding and migration seasons.

• Visit in autumn and winter migration seasons when the shallow lake attracts large numbers of waterbirds and gives the best birdwatching opportunities.
• Approach via Akhalkalaki or nearby regional roads and allow extra travel time - local rural roads can be rough and signage is sparse, so plan your route ahead.
• Bring binoculars and use elevated shore points or small hides where available - much of the interest at Madatapa is from the lake edge rather than long hikes, and shoreline vantage points yield the best views of concentrations of birds.