Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to come prepared

Practical notes on timing, getting here, what to pack and how we keep the region wild.

Best time to visit

The region is at its best from late April to early October.

Spring (Apr–May): arrivals, displaying bustards and the first flamingos.

Summer (Jun–Aug): breeding colonies, young birds and long, warm days.

Autumn (Sep–Oct): the great migration — geese, cranes and waders in their thousands.

Getting there

The gateway is Astana, with direct flights across Asia, Europe and the Gulf. From the city it is roughly a two-and-a-half-hour drive (~130 km) to the village of Korgalzhyn at the edge of the region. We arrange all transfers — you simply tell us your flights.

What to bring

·Binoculars (8×42 are ideal)
·A spotting scope if you own one
·Layered clothing & a windproof jacket
·Sun protection & insect repellent
·A refillable water bottle
·A camera with a long lens
·Comfortable walking shoes

Where to stay

We use comfortable family-run guesthouses in and around Korgalzhyn village, simple but warm, with home-cooked meals. For day trips you can also be based in Astana. We'll recommend the right option for your itinerary.

Where we bird & field etiquette

We bird exclusively in the Korgalzhyn region — public lands and authorised lakeshore vantage points. In the field we keep our distance from breeding birds, stay on tracks, take all litter with us, and never play calls near colonies. Wild places stay wild when we tread lightly.