Gizilaghaj National Park is Azerbaijan’s largest protected area, stretching across vast wetlands, reedbeds, and shallow lagoons along the Caspian Sea. The park is famous for its birdlife, rare animals, and unique ecosystems untouched by heavy tourism. To explore this site properly, you must rent a car in Azerbaijan.
Public transport is limited in this part of the country, and many of the best birdwatching points and lagoons are in remote areas. Driving allows you to stop along the wetlands, reach observation points, and extend your trip to nearby towns like Lankaran and Masalli. This park is not only about birds. It also has conservation and cultural landscapes of ecological importance. In this guide, you will learn about the park's history, rare wildlife, and the best times to visit before exploring Gizilaghaj Park.
Gizilaghaj National Park was first established as a state nature reserve in 1929. It was created to protect swamp birds, migrant species, and wild birds that used the Caspian wetlands for wintering and nesting. The area remained relatively isolated for decades, which helped protect habitats and allowed poachers to fish illegally.
In 2018, the government upgraded the reserve to a National Park and expanded its boundaries to include the first Marine Protected Area in the Caspian Sea. This was a historic moment, since the Caspian is the largest inland water body on Earth and home to many endangered species, including the Beluga sturgeon and the Caspian salmon. These fish breed in the Kura and Aras rivers and depend on shallow coastal habitats for survival.
When exploring Gizilaghaj Park, you will find habitats that create one of the richest ecosystems in the region. The park covers around 100,000 hectares and includes wetlands, reedbeds, sandy beaches, shallow lagoons, and coastal forests. These diverse landscapes make it possible for so many species of birds, fish, and mammals to survive here.
The wetlands and lagoons are important during migration seasons. Shallow waters expose mudflats that provide rich feeding grounds for waders and waterfowl. Reedbeds offer cover for herons, warblers, and bitterns, while sandy stretches of coastline host shorebirds and gulls. The forests and meadows are home to mammals such as wild boars, jackals, wolves, and the reed cat. The park's flora is also diverse, with tamarix forming dense thickets, as well as camel thorn, blackberry, and wormwood. This vegetation supports the wider ecosystem and provides breeding grounds for many bird species.
Gizilaghaj National Park is one of the richest birding areas in Azerbaijan. It has wetlands, lagoons, and forests that attract hundreds of species each year. No matter the season, you can enjoy unique birdwatching experiences here.
If you are visiting Gizilaghaj National Park for birdwatching, the timing of your trip is important. Millions of birds pass through or spend the season here from October to May. Winter is the best season to see large flocks of waterbirds such as ducks, geese, swans, pelicans, and coots. The variety of species is at its peak in autumn and spring, with hundreds of waders, passerines, and raptors stopping to rest.
More than 250 bird species have been recorded in the park, many included in the Red Book of Azerbaijan. Among the most spectacular are flamingos, Dalmatian pelicans, White-tailed eagles, Red-breasted geese, and Lesser white-fronted geese. You can also find Black francolins, Glossy ibis, Citrine wagtails, Steppe eagles, and Greater flamingos. The sight of thousands of flamingos turning the lagoons pink is amazing.
Some of the best viewing points are along the road crossing the lagoon towards the peninsula. There are observation towers and bird hides to watch species up close without disturbing them. A single day of birdwatching in October or April can reveal over 100 species, which makes this park one of the best birding sites in the entire Caspian region.
Outdoor adventures in Gizilaghaj National Park go far beyond birdwatching. The park covers wetlands, reedbeds, forests, and the Caspian shoreline, creating many ways to explore.
For travellers who want more than birdwatching, the park offers great hiking and backpacking opportunities. Trails range from easy walks along wetlands to more challenging treks across reedbeds and forests. You can go camping if you are prepared, because facilities are limited. Compared to popular destinations like Gobustan or Shahdag, Gizilaghaj is far less crowded.
Guided tours are available. These are often led by ornithologists who can explain the park’s unique ecosystems. Observation towers and hides provide perfect opportunities for photography. The flamingo roosts at sunrise or sunset are especially popular with photographers, as the light creates magical reflections on the lagoons. Tours also highlight conservation work, giving you an insight into how the park protects endangered species.
The Caspian shoreline is simple but striking. Here you can walk along windswept beaches, watch gulls and terns, or just enjoy the wide-open view of the water. Inland reedbeds are alive with bird calls, while marsh vegetation creates a classic wetland atmosphere. Whether you hike, camp, or take short walks, this part of Gizilaghaj National Park rewards your effort with rich natural beauty.
One of the highlights of exploring Gizilaghaj Park is seeing the flamingo flocks in the shallow lagoons. The wide, brackish waters of the Caspian coastline create perfect feeding grounds, as mudflats are exposed at low tide and reveal endless food sources for the birds. Greater flamingos arrive in large numbers, turning the lagoons into a moving sea of pink.
At sunrise and sunset, the light reflects off the wetlands and amplifies the colours of the flocks. This is one of the most striking views in the entire region.During migration seasons in spring and autumn, numbers are especially high. Flamingos are just one part of the spectacle, as you may also see pelicans, spoonbills, and herons sharing the same lagoons. The park’s reedbeds and salt-tolerant plants provide breeding grounds for many species. By timing your visit for early morning or late evening, you will experience the most iconic scene in Gizilaghaj, when thousands of birds gather in synchrony along the Caspian shore.
Your adventure in Gizilaghaj National Park can also include a visit to the nearby forests of Hirkan National Park. Located close to the Liman settlement, Hirkan offers a very different environment compared to the wetlands of Gizilaghaj. Instead of reedbeds and lagoons, you walk through dense, humid forests that belong to the ancient Hyrcanian vegetation zone. These forests are home to subspecies of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the Long-tailed Tit. You may also encounter the elusive Shikra, a small raptor in wooded areas.
The park lies about 260 km from Baku, in the Lankaran region. There is no direct public transport link from Baku to the Ghizil-Agaj State Reserve. Long-distance buses only reach nearby towns, so you will still need a taxi to get to the park entrance. The most flexible and reliable option is to rent a car.
The park is open all year, but the experience changes with the seasons. Due to mild weather, September to May is the peak birdwatching period. Meanwhile, April to June and September to October are ideal for backpackers. Summer temperatures can reach 35°C, making hiking uncomfortable, while winter temperatures can drop to 0°C. Still, if you prefer solitude and quiet trails, winter offers a peaceful visit.
The park has a visitor centre and some marked trails. There are bird hides and circular routes that allow for observation without disturbing the wildlife. Trails are average in difficulty, and the terrain is mostly open with some wet areas. You can access parts of the park by car, but other areas are only accessible on foot. A telescope can be used for identifying species across lagoons.
For overnight stays, you can find several hotels and guest houses in Masalli or Lankaran. Options range from simple lodgings to more comfortable stays with on-site restaurants. Some places are close to the park entrance, while others are within a short drive in nearby towns. In Lankaran city, you can also choose between budget guest houses and mid-range hotels. When it comes to food, you should try lavangi, a dish of roast chicken or fish stuffed with walnuts and plums. Pumpkin pilaf is another local speciality. The region is also known for its tea and citrus fruit, which you can taste in garden restaurants along country roads.
A good way to explore the park in one day is to begin early in the morning. Start at Mahmudchala Lake, where calm waters attract many species. From there, continue to the Liman settlement and Lesser Bay (Kichik Korfez), with various waders and unique species like the White-tailed lapwing.
After birdwatching, you can have a packed lunch at the park entrance. In the afternoon, stroll through bushes and reedbeds to search for species such as the Black-headed Penduline Tit or Black Francolin. Later, head to the Caspian coast to observe ducks, gulls, and terns in their natural habitat. For an extended trip, add nearby Hirkan National Park, where you can explore forests and look for subspecies of woodpeckers and other rare birds.
When you finish exploring Gizilaghaj Park, you will see why it is one of the best places for nature lovers in Azerbaijan. The wetlands, reedbeds, and Caspian coastline are rich with rare birds, wild animals, and calm landscapes. You can spend your day birdwatching, walking along lagoons, or visiting forest trails. To make your journey smooth, rent a car with Final Rentals. You can choose from compact cars for short drives or SUVs for long trips. Final Rentals offers easy booking, affordable prices, and pick-up at Baku or Gabala Airport.
