Batsara Strict Nature Reserve

Batsara Strict Nature Reserve is a protected area in the mountainous region of Kakheti, stretching along the Alazani River valley. The landscape features forested slopes, rocky gorges, and river banks with elevations ranging from about 700 to over 2,000 meters.

The Batsara gorge area became a protected site starting in 1935, then received official strict reserve status in 2003. This long conservation history shows how early efforts recognized the ecological importance of this mountain region.

The reserve serves as a research hub for Georgian scientists studying local plant and animal populations in their natural state. This work helps people understand and care for the region's ecological diversity.

Access to the reserve is restricted and requires advance permission from Georgia's Agency of Protected Areas. Visits are primarily for scientific research and educational purposes, so visitors should arrange approval beforehand.

The reserve protects one of the world's oldest tree groves: a large untouched population of English Yew trees, with individual specimens between 500 and 2,000 years old. These ancient trees are a rare record of forest history spanning thousands of years.