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Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness

Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness

Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness

  • Author: Max Rossberg
  • Date Posted: Nov 8, 2017
  • Category:
  • Address: Samtskhe-Javakheti, Georgia

Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness

The 50 325 ha Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness is embedded in the Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park, Georgia. The Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is the first national park and largest protected arera in Georgia, situated in the Lesser Caucasus, southwest to the nation’s capital of Tbilisi. It spans an area of 107 000 ha with a total length of 95 km from west to east and a width between 3 and 26 km.

Wilderness is an important element of the long-term vision of Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park. When the park was established, the Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness was already adopted as a fundamental element. The park is known as an outstanding Wilderness, which is successfully monitored by a committed management team. Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park is included on the list of 35 world priority ecoregions of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and on the list of 34 world hot spots of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

European Wilderness Quality Standard Audit System

The 50 325 ha Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness was audited and monitored in 2003, 2004, 2006 and in 2012 and meets the Platinum Wilderness Quality Standard. A European Wilderness Quality Standard Renewal-Audit is scheduled for 2022.

Park information

  • Protected area: Borjomi-Kharagauli National Park
  • Wilderness: Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness
  • Wilderness Quality Standard: Platinum
  • Country: Georgia
  • Size of the protected area: 107 000 ha
  • Size of the Wilderness: 50 325 ha
  • European Wilderness Quality Standard Audit: 2012
  • Wilderness Uniqueness: Old growth Low Caucasus conifer and evergreen forest, high level of rare and endemic species, rare species such as bear, wolf, imperial eagle
  • Number of visitors per year to the protected area: approx. 65 000
  • Number of visitors per year to the Wilderness: approx. 30 000

Biodiversity

The Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness is home to relict, endemic, rare and vulnerable flora and fauna species. The mountainous forests in Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness have been preserved in their pristine and virgin state. The virgin forests are home to populations of brown bear, wolf, lynx, red deer and chamois. Especially birds are easy to encounter and to observe during a hike here, like the unique Caucasian Black Grouse. As the Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness lies on the migration route of many migrating birds, in spring and autumn you can see large flocks of beautiful Yellowish Bee-Eater.

Wilderness Experience

The vast and remote Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness is accessible via 12 marked trails. These trails provide the opportunity to experience various corners of the park and Wilderness, rich biodiversity, and remote corners of these wild mountains. The trails offer a wide variety of one or several days tours, experience of rich evergreen forest (spruce, pine, fir-tree and mixed coniferous forests), spectacular alpine meadows and high mountain peaks. If you decide to hike to Mount Samethskhvario (2 642 meters), the highest point of the national park, you will enjoy a picturesque variety of plants blossoming in July and August. Additionally, the park offers hiking, horse riding, biking, snow shoeing, cultural and educational tours.

Contact details

  • Borjomi-Kharagauli Wilderness
  • Address street: 23 Meskheti St.Borjomi
  • Postal code city: Borjomi 1200, Georgia
  • Phone: +995 577 64 04 80; +995 577 64 04 44 
  • Website: www.nationalparks.ge 

Wilderness Brief

 

    1 Comment

  1. Have there been any recent reports of Leopard in this area? I’ve seen some camera trap footage of Leopards in Georgia and would like to know if there is a long-term strategy for this species in the region?

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