Sataplia: Dinosaur Footprints and Jurassic Park in Georgia

Sataplia Nature Reserve

Altitude above sea level: 500 m.

Area: 354 ha or 3.54 km2.

GPS coordinates: N42.309229, E42.671156 (cave).

Year of foundation: 1939.

Tel.: +995 595 08 60 59 .

Ticket price: GEL 17 or RUB 392.47 (May 2020).

Admission is free for children under 6 years old.

Brief historical background

This area was discovered by local residents in 1934. According to rumors, one teacher from Banoja, who was interested in the geography of his homeland. Subsequently, a memorial was built to him. This place became a nature reserve 6 years later, in 1939. But it was not fully equipped with buildings to protect the territory from winds and heavy rains. Only in 2010, the reserve was brought into a favorable form and equipped, which made it possible to better protect valuable historical traces. A pavilion was built.

Operating mode:

From November to April: 10:00 — 17:00;

From May to August: 10:00 — 18:00;

From September to October: 10:00 — 17:30.

Sataplia Nature ReserveIt is located in the villages of Gumbre, Banojasa and Homuli. On the mountain of the same name with a height of 0.5 km relative to the sea. It was established in 1935. The territory of the reserve is of interest for natural sciences, such as geology, paleontology, speleology, zoology and botany.

Sataplia is just one of the territories of Imereti that are under protection. Its management consists of the following parts: A visitor center, a center dedicated to the preservation of dinosaur remains, an exhibition hall, cafes, souvenir shops, caves for excursions and tracks (roads) with special markings.

The main attractions of the reserve are: dinosaur tracks, which are 150 million years old (Cretaceous period), the Sataplia karst cave, a viewing platform over the abyss, the floor of which is made entirely of glass, as well as the Colchis forest. Among other things, here you can see full-length dinosaur skeletons, reduced plastic models of dinosaur skeletons and a monument to the man who first discovered this place.

How to get to Sataplia Park

Sataplia is located at a distance of 250 km from Tbilisi. Driving by car will take 3-4 hours. The distance of Kutaisi – Sataplia is 10 km. By car it's only 20 minutes away, but walking on foot will take about 2 hours. The most common route is Batumi – Sataplia. The road is 150 km, but due to the difficult terrain, the journey will take about 3 hours.

The Sataplia karst cave has dimensions: 900 m long, 10 m high, 12 m wide.

Sataplia in translation from the Georgian language means: "honey place". This is explained by the fact that here, on Mount Sataplia, in ancient times, a large number of bees lived, which have almost disappeared due to the large number of tourists who come here every year.

NOTE: If you are going to visit the Karst cave of Sataplia, then keep in mind that the temperature inside is only 14 degrees. Celsius. Take warm clothes and enough drinking water!

The observation deck/glass bridge in Sataplia is another attraction.

One of the most interesting places of the reserve is a transparent observation deck built over the abyss, made of glass. It is very popular, especially among foreign travelers.

Colchis Forest

Another place to visit this area is a trekking road called the Colchis Forest, rich in many endemic plant species. Here you will also see a plastic dinosaur skeleton and find a workshop for making small souvenirs in the form of the same dinosaurs.

attention: The Sataplia Nature Reserve is closed on Mondays! Please consider this before visiting this place.

Ilto National Park

Altitude above sea level: up to 1200 m.

Area: 69.63 km2 or 6963 ha.

Year of foundation: 2003.

Ilto National Park is located in the Georgian city of Akhmeta. It includes the upper territories of the valley of the river of the same name with an altitude relative to sea level of 0.9 – 2 km . The park covers a total area of 6963 hectares or 69.63 km2. In the east of the park there is a border with another park – the Batsari Nature Reserve, in the west there is a border with the Tianeti forest, in the south there is a border with the Akhmet forest, and in the north there is a border with the Alpine Zone.

The date of foundation of this national park is April 22, 2003. The park was created with the main purpose of protecting beech forests and valuable species of plants and animals that are found here.

Plant world (Flora)

Yew, mountain basket, linden, maple, ash, etc.

Animal world (Fauna)

Large mammals: roe deer, chamois, bear and pig, etc.

Predators: wolf, lynx, forest cat, marten and so on.

Rare endemic birds of the Alpine zone, including necrophages: bald vulture, black vulture, bearded, mountain eagle and so on.

Vashlovani National Park

Altitude above sea level: 100-900 m.
The total area of the park: 35292 ha or 352.92 sq. km2.
The area of the Vashlovani Reserve: 101.43 hectares or 101.43 km2.
Year of foundation: 1935
Phone number: +995 577 10 18 50
Email: [email protected]
The administration and tourist center is located in Dedoplistskaro.
Entrance price: 5 GEL or 115.43 rubles.
The price for entry of one car: 5 GEL or 115.43 rubles.
The cost of a fishing permit: 5 GEL or 115.43 rubles.
Brief historical background
Vashlovani Nature Reserve it was created in 1935, but was liquidated 15 years later (in 1950). Subsequently, illegal hunting and cultivation of agricultural plants began to develop in this territory, which is why the government decided to take this territory under state protection again. This happened in 1957. However, it was only in 2003 that the reserve received the status of a national park along with the surrounding area. This has helped to preserve the local endemic flora and fauna.
Vashlovani National Park is located in the South-East of Georgia, in close proximity to the border of Georgia with Azerbaijan, in the historical region of Kakheti, the valley of the Yori River. It also includes the Vashlovansky State Reserve, as well as 3 attractions – the Eagle Gorge, the forest of the banks of the Alazani River, Kaklis-Kure and the Takhti-Tepa mud volcanoes.

Flora and Fauna

Over 660 species of different plants can be found in the national park, among which there are about forty endemic rare types characteristic only of the Caucasus. From the trees here you can see the following species: juniper, cherry, maple, pear, fig, pomegranate and many other species.

More than 80 species of birds live here, various types of insects, mammals and predatory animals are common. Of the mammals in this zone, the following types can be noticed: hedgehog, hare, fox, wildcat, jackal, marten, hyena, ferret, gazelle. According to some reports, a leopard was spotted in the extreme parts of the park in 2004.

Prices for renting various things

The entrance to the national park costs 5 Georgian lari (about 115 rubles), the entrance of each car is 5 lari. You can also rent various hiking accessories.

• Tent — 10 GEL or 230 RUB;
• Foam mat — 3 GEL or 70 rub;
• Sleeping bag — 5 GEL or 115 RUB;
• Binoculars — 10 GEL or 230 RUB;
• Travel bag — 5 GEL or 115 rub.

More information about prices and much more can be found on the official website of the National Park:apa.gov.ge/Vashlovani

PAY ATTENTION! To enter or enter the territory of the national park, you need to register in advance and have a pass with you. The pass is issued if you have a passport in the administration building.

The building is located in Dedoplistskaro. 5 Baratashvili Street.

The season of visiting the park.

The park is open to visitors all year round, but the most convenient time to visit is from May to November.

For fishing, the period from April to July is better suited. Despite this, before visiting the park, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the weather forecast. Despite the dry weather, there is still a chance of rain. Also keep in mind that the temperature in this zone can vary from -12 to +40 in winter and summer, respectively.

How to get to Vashlovani National Park?

From Tbilisi, you can get on the highway S 5. At Chalaubani, turn right and drive to Dedoplistskaro. The length of the road from Tbilisi to the park is about 130 km. The journey will take you about 2 hours. The way from Tbilisi to Dedoplistskaro can be overcome by public transport, for example, by shuttle buses from the Ortachala bus station or from the Isani metro station.

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