Saryarka, which translates to “Yellow Range” in Kazakh and is also known as the Kazakh Uplands, is a vast expanse of steppe, semi-desert, and lakes in northern Kazakhstan. This region is so significant for its pristine ecosystems and its role as a vital crossroads for migratory birds that a portion of it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site, officially named “Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan,” comprises two separate protected areas: the Naurzum State Nature Reserve and the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve. Together, they protect wetlands of global importance and vast tracts of Central Asian steppe, providing a critical refuge for millions of birds and endangered animals.

Name and Address

• Name: Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan.
• Address: This is a serial UNESCO site, meaning it consists of two separate locations:
  • Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve: Located in the Akmola and Karaganda Regions, approximately 130 kilometers southwest of Astana.
  • Naurzum State Nature Reserve: Located in the Kostanay Region, much further to the northwest, about 190 kilometers south of the city of Kostanay.

How to Get There

Accessing these remote reserves requires planning, as they are far from major cities and public transport is limited.

• Korgalzhyn (More Accessible):
  • By Car/Tour (Recommended): The easiest way to visit is by hiring a car with a driver or joining a guided tour from Astana. The drive to the reserve’s visitor center in the village of Korgalzhyn takes about 2 hours.
• Naurzum (Very Remote):
  • By Car/Tour (Essential): Naurzum is much more remote and less visited. A 4×4 vehicle and a knowledgeable guide are essential. The journey from Kostanay or Astana is long and involves driving on unpaved roads.
• Visitor Tip: Both are protected nature reserves, and access to the core areas requires permits and must be arranged in advance, usually through the reserve’s administration or a certified tour operator.

Landscape and Architecture

The “architecture” of Saryarka is its vast and varied natural landscape, a mosaic of steppe and wetland ecosystems.

• The Kazakh Steppe: The site protects over 200,000 hectares of pristine Central Asian steppe. This is a vast, open landscape of feather-grass and fescue plains, providing a habitat for a unique array of flora and fauna adapted to the harsh continental climate.
• Wetland Systems: The heart of the site is its extensive network of freshwater and saltwater lakes. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system is the most significant, a massive wetland that serves as a crucial feeding and resting ground for migratory birds. The landscape is characterized by vast reed beds and shallow, shimmering lakes that can expand and shrink dramatically depending on the season.
• Unique Forests: The Naurzum reserve is particularly noted for its unique pine forests, which are a rare sight in the middle of the steppe and represent a relic of a past geological era.

What Makes It Famous

Saryarka is famous for being one of the most important wetland sites in the world for migratory water birds and for protecting the critically endangered Saiga antelope.

• A Global Flyway Crossroads: Its primary claim to fame is its critical location at the crossroads of the Central Asian and Siberian-South European bird migration routes. The wetlands are a vital stopover point for an estimated 15-16 million birds each year.
• Northernmost Colony of Pink Flamingos: The Korgalzhyn Reserve is world-renowned for hosting the world’s northernmost colony of Greater Flamingos. The sight of thousands of these vibrant pink birds nesting in the middle of the Kazakh steppe is a spectacular and unique natural phenomenon.
• Home to Threatened Species: The site is a crucial habitat for a huge number of globally threatened bird species, including the Dalmatian Pelican, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, and the extremely rare Siberian White Crane.
• Saiga Antelope Refuge: The vast steppe areas provide a refuge for the critically endangered Saiga Antelope, a unique mammal with a distinctive, trunk-like nose that is an ancient symbol of the Eurasian steppe.

Differences from Other Wonders

Saryarka offers a unique experience focused on wildlife and vast, open landscapes, setting it apart from other natural sites in Kazakhstan.

• A Flat Wetland vs. Mountainous Landscapes: Saryarka is a vast, flat landscape of steppe and lakes. This is a complete contrast to the dramatic, vertical scenery of the Charyn Canyon or the alpine beauty of the Kolsai Lakes and the Tian Shan mountains. It showcases the beauty of the Kazakh plains, not its mountains.
• A Birdwatcher’s Paradise: The primary draw of Saryarka is its phenomenal birdlife. It is a world-class destination for ornithology. This is a very different focus from a site like Bektau-Ata, which is famous for its unique geology and spiritual legends.
• A Dynamic, Seasonal Spectacle: The experience at Saryarka is highly seasonal and dynamic, dictated by the arrival and departure of millions of migratory birds. The landscape and its inhabitants change dramatically between spring and autumn, offering a different spectacle at different times of the year.