Askania-Nova is a unique biosphere reserve in the Kherson Region. The reserve has existed for more than 100 years. The main purpose of the reserve is to let the animals live in natural environment with minimal human influence. Influence, but not contact, as Askania is visited by lots of tourists.
If you want to visit the reserve, you should note some important moments.
All tourists can visit the zoo and arboretum located in Askania; both of them leave only positive emotions. Especially the zoo, where the animals have a lot of place to live. Many birds such as peacocks are not afraid of the visitors and walk among them.
Peacocks outside the cages ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Peacock in all its glory ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Demoiselle crane ©Yuriy Buriak
Flamingos ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Otter ©Yuriy Buriak
Wildebeest ©Yuriy Buriak
Markhor ©Yuriy Buriak
Bambie :) ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Ruddy shelduck ©Yuriy Buriak
Arboretum ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Sculpture in the arboretum ©Yuriy Buriak
Arboretum ©Yuriy Buriak
Arboretum ©Yuriy Buriak
But not everyone can visit the protected area (steppe). If you come without a tourist group, the chances will be low. There are many tourists in Askania, and only two cars to travel to the steppe (perhaps now more...). Each trip lasts for about an hour. It means that no more than 100 tourists will be able to see the steppe during the day. So make sure to book an individual or a group tour in advance.
The second important moment is the weather. Your trip to the steppe may fail because of heavy rains the day before. As for our group, some people did visit the steppe, and some did not exactly because of the weather conditions.
The steppe itself is a real eye candy. But remember: if you want to make close up photos of the animals, you will need a telephoto lens (200, preferably 300). Not all animals can approach closely, as they are still wild and afraid of people. We were in 10 meters from zebras, 5 meters from bisons (yes, that is dangerous :), but about 100 meters from horses and antilopes.
Every trip to the steppe is different. You can see many animals and you can see a little. Sometimes a deer can shove its head right into the car, and in other case it can run away from you.
Zebras were the first animals that we saw in the steppe. ©Yuriy Buriak
©Yuriy Buriak
Przewalski's horses ©Yuriy Buriak
Deer ©Yuriy Buriak
Reserved steppe ©Yuriy Buriak
Reserved steppe ©Yuriy Buriak
Przewalski's horse ©Yuriy Buriak
Reserved steppe ©Yuriy Buriak
American bisons ©Yuriy Buriak
American bisons ©Yuriy Buriak
American bisons ©Yuriy Buriak
Getting there: Difficult without a car. Use either GPS coordinates or contact a travel agency.
