Chachuna National Park is located in the far southeastern corner of Georgia, in Dedoplistskaro Municipality, Kakheti, on the border with Azerbaijan. The park covers 5,200 hectares along the Iori River, approximately 175 km from Tbilisi. Among the natural attractions of Kakheti, it stands out for a rare combination of landscapes: tugai floodplain forests, steppes and semi-desert terrain share a relatively small territory, creating biological diversity unusual for a single protected area.
Along the river run tugai forests, the dense floodplain woodland of trembling aspen, floodplain oak, white willow and cystus. Higher up the slopes, steppes give way to semi-desert terrain with sands, sandstone, clays with volcanic ash deposits and limestone conglomerates. The diversity of substrates and microclimates across a compact area is uncommon. The park's flora includes protected species: the Georgian iris and Eichler's tulip. Birds include nesting eagles and griffon vultures; mammals include lynx, badger and various rodent species. The park is also known for palaeontological finds made by researchers on its territory.
Infrastructure is minimal: few signposts, rough roads, no cafés or toilets on site. Adjacent in the same Dedoplistskaro Municipality is Vashlovani National Park, making it easy to combine both in one trip. Routes, seasonal advice and detailed information on flora and fauna are covered in the Chachuna National Park guide.
