Nature Reserves

Aksu-Jabagli: Located in southern Kazakhstan, 1000-4000m (3280-13,120ft) above sea level, and home to 238 species of birds, 42 species of animals and 1300 species of plants.

Almaty: Located in the southern Tien Shan Mountains and home to snow leopards, jeirans, gazelles, arkhars and the unique Tjan-Shan fir tree.

Barsa Kelmes: Translated as 'the land of no return', this island, off the northwestern Aral Sea coast, is the home of the rarest hoofed animal in the world – the kulan.

The West-Altai: Located in the Altai Mountains and home to 16 types of forest, 30 species of mammals and 120 species of birds.

Kurgaldjino: Located in central Kazakhstan, this A-class nature reserve is of international importance, and its feather-grass steppe is home to 300 types of plant and the most northerly settlement of flamingoes in the world.

Marakol: Located in the southern foothills of the Altai Mountains and home to 232 species of bird, 50 species of animal and 1000 types of plant.

Naurzum: Located in northern Kazakhstan and home to such rare animals as white herons, jack-bustards, hisser swans and grave eagles.

Ustiurt: Located in west Kazakhstan in the Karagie Depression, 132m (433ft) below sea level, this chalk-cliffed reserve is the largest in the country.

Bayan-Aul National Nature Park: Located in central Kazakhstan and known as 'the museum of nature'.