Badkhyz Nature Reserve
A southern reserve of pistachio woodland and steppe holding the country's kulan population.
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Badkhyz occupies high broken country in the far south between the Murgab and the Afghan border, and it protects two things of note: an open woodland of wild pistachio that is among the largest anywhere, and the kulan, the Asiatic wild ass, whose population here has been the source for reintroductions across the region. The Yeroyilanduz depression, a salt basin far below the plateau, sits within the reserve.
What you actually see
- The kulan - the Asiatic wild ass population that supplied reintroductions elsewhere.
- The pistachio woodland - one of the largest stands of wild pistachio anywhere.
- Yeroyilanduz - the salt depression sunk far below the surrounding plateau.
- The border country - the broken high ground between the Murgab and Afghanistan.
When to go
April to May has the best conditions and the spring green. September to October is the other window. Summer heat is extreme and winter is harsh.
Honest expectations
Permits are required and are not straightforward to obtain, and the reserve sits in a sensitive border zone. There are no facilities of any kind. Access needs a four-wheel drive and an arranged guide.
Nearby
Ekedeshik is west, and Mary is north.
What to pack for Badkhyz Nature Reserve
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.