Flamingos two hours from Astana: How was our day in the Korgalzhyn region

The Korgalzhyn region is located 130 kilometers from Astana. One of the reasons why people come here from all over the world is the rare bird species and, of course, the pink flamingo, which nests here in the reservoirs of the Kazakh steppe, forming the northernmost breeding colony on the planet. Millions of years ago, the Tethys Sea really lapped at this place, and today we walk along its bottom, as evidenced by the salt marsh and dried algae. The group gathered in the parking lot at 5:15, and at 5:30 the bus left for Korgalzhyn. Early departure is not a whim: birds are most active in the morning, and by noon the steppe warms up noticeably, and refraction interferes with observation. The journey takes about an hour and a half. Along the way, the guide told the history of the region and prepared the group for what was to be seen. At the technical stop at the exit from the city, coffee and a snack were waiting for everyone, which the organizer had collected in advance — in case not everyone had time to have breakfast at home. A meeting you're not planning We saw the first herd of saiga antelope from afar — they were walking along the steppe parallel to the road. A few kilometers later, the second group crossed the road not far in front of the bus, which delighted the participants. The saiga is the oldest ungulate, a contemporary of mammoths, which until recently was on the verge of extinction. To see him live, without optics and at such a distance, is a rare success even for those who travel to the steppe regularly. Ornithologist from Korgalzhyn In the village of Korgalzhyn, an ornithologist guide joined the program group. All participants wore "Ornithological Safari" badges, and from that moment on, the trip moved to another level: the ornithologist guide identified birds right on the move, named species, told how many species of birds, mammals and fish were registered in the region, explained why the thermophilic flamingo chose the salt lakes of Central Kazakhstan for nesting and many interesting educational activities. information. Meeting with flamingos An optical tube was installed at the first salt lake and binoculars were distributed. The pink stripe, which is visible even to the naked eye, breaks up into hundreds of individual birds in optics. There are feathers lying on the shore, which flamingos shed themselves — their characteristic shade is clearly visible up close. Lunch in the steppe The second observation point was a freshwater lake, where participants could observe and admire the beautiful pelicans and cranes. A tent was set up here at the moment, under which everyone had a friendly and fun lunch, remembering childhood and picnics. The return trip was no less informative, and after that a quiz was held on what was seen and heard, and of course, as expected, there were souvenirs for correct answers. One day is a lot of emotions, outdoor recreation, what else do you need after a week of work. What is included in the tour Comfortable bus with air conditioning Lunch in the tent: lunch box to choose from, dessert, hot tea Guided tour for the whole day Ornithologist guide and professional optician When to go The flamingo viewing season is limited: the birds nest here until the autumn departure. The closer to the end of the season, the less likely it is to find the colony in full force. The nearest dates and prices are available on request. Write to us in direct Instagram @lets_see_kz or leave a request on the website.