Lower Amudarya Biosphere Reserve

The Lower Amudarya reserve protects one of the last substantial stands of tugai, the dense riverine forest of poplar, tamarisk and reed that once lined the Amu Darya for its whole length and has almost entirely gone as the river was drawn off for cotton. Bukhara deer, reduced to a few hundred animals across their range, were reintroduced here and now breed. Pheasant, jackal and a long bird list use the forest.

What you actually see

• The tugai forest - one of the last major stands of the river's native woodland.
• The Bukhara deer - the reintroduced population now breeding in the reserve.
• The river channels - the Amu Darya braiding through the reserve.
• The birdlife - the species concentrating in what remains of the riverine habitat.

When to go

April to May and September to October are the comfortable months. Summer heat is extreme. Visits require arrangement well ahead.

Honest expectations

Permits and arranged access are required and independent visiting is not possible. Facilities are a ranger station and nothing more. Deer sightings are not guaranteed.

Nearby

Urgench is southwest, and Nukus is northwest.