Lake Madatapa is located within the Madatapa Reserve, Ninotsminda Municipality, among the natural attractions of the region, at an elevation of 2,108 metres, the highest of the plateau's major lakes. Its basin formed when a lava flow blocked a valley. The surface area is 8.78 square kilometres, maximum depth only 1.7 metres, and total water volume relatively modest at around 9.66 million cubic metres.
For more on all eight lakes of the plateau, see the guide to the lakes of Javakheti.
The lake is renowned for birdlife: around 180 species have been recorded, including grey and white cranes, cormorants, pelicans, Armenian gulls and storks, making it one of Javakheti's key birding sites. In summer the water warms to 17-18°C; there's no fish in the lake.
Two honest warnings are worth including. First, the lake is actively shrinking: since 2022 its area has noticeably decreased, the process continues, and the relevant agency plans a dedicated study into the causes. Second, in spring and summer, herds belonging to nomadic shepherds graze near the approach to the lake, guarded by large dogs: according to national park rangers, visitors climbing toward the lake sometimes need an escort to avoid an attack.
On the way to the lake, it's worth stopping at Gorelovka Museum Village, which preserves the distinctive architecture of a Russian Doukhobor community. Nearby villages also include Yefremovka, Zhdanovakani and Sameba.
