Naurzum Nature Reserve

Naurzum lies in Kostanay region on the boundary between forest steppe and dry steppe, and its unusual feature is the Naurzum bor, a relict pine forest growing on sand in the middle of open grassland, a survivor from a wetter period and isolated hundreds of kilometres from other pine woods. Around it are steppe, salt and freshwater lakes, and birch and aspen groves. The reserve is important for raptors, with white-tailed and imperial eagles nesting, and for waterbirds on the lakes, and it carries the same flyway significance as Korgalzhyn, with which it forms the Saryarka World Heritage property inscribed in 2008. Access requires a permit and a reserve guide from the administration at Karamendy.

What you actually see

• The relict pine forest - the isolated bor growing on sand in steppe.
• Steppe lakes - the fresh and saline waters with their birds.
• Nesting eagles - white-tailed and imperial eagles in the woods.
• Open steppe - the grassland between the forest islands.

When to go

May to June for breeding birds and flowering steppe, and September for passage. Winter is severe with deep snow and the reserve closes to visitors. Spring thaw makes roads impassable.

Honest expectations

A permit and reserve guide are compulsory and take arranging in advance. Roads within the reserve are tracks and become impassable when wet. There is no visitor accommodation inside; lodging is in nearby villages. The reserve is remote from any city.

Nearby

Kostanay lies north; the Turgai steppe extends south.