Absheron National Park

Absheron National Park occupies the sandy spit at the far eastern end of the peninsula, a flat expanse of dune, salt pan and low scrub running out into the Caspian. It was established to protect the goitered gazelle reintroduced here and the Caspian seals that use the offshore waters and sandbars. The landscape is bleak in a way that is either the appeal or the problem: no trees, no relief, a lighthouse at the point, and a great deal of sky and water.

What you actually see

• The goitered gazelle - a reintroduced herd, usually seen at distance across the flats.
• The Caspian seals - hauled out on sandbars offshore, most likely in the colder months.
• The dunes and salt flats - low sand and salt country with no relief in any direction.
• The birds - waders and wildfowl on the shallows, particularly on passage.

When to go

March to May and September to November are the best seasons for wildlife and for weather. Seals are more likely in the colder months. Summer is severely hot and exposed, with no shade in the park at all.

Honest expectations

Sightings are not guaranteed and the animals keep their distance. The park is bare and some visitors find it simply empty. Facilities are minimal, there is no shade, and a vehicle is needed to get around inside it.

Nearby

The Gala reserve is inland on the peninsula, and central Baku is an hour west.