Tucked just 2 kilometers (1.24 miles) away from the seashore is a sanctuary teeming with vibrant life and a surreal tranquility – the Kobuleti Nature Reserve. It's a place where explorers find themselves stepping into a world far removed from the mundane. This protected area, encompassing the unique Ispani 1 and Ispani 2 Sphagnum peatlands, serves as a living classroom, offering educational and scientific tours for those eager to unravel its secrets.
Visitors have the distinctive experience of marsh skiing, gliding across the landscape as though it were an enormous, soft mattress, each step sinking gently into the cushioned terrain. This unique sensation, combined with the ethereal beauty of the reserve, is an unforgettable encounter with nature.
Three pedestrian trails - Ispani 2, White Moss, and Bot Sundew - provide guided pathways through this diverse landscape. While traversing these trails, it's possible to spot the stunning yellow and white water-lilies, the carnivorous sundew, and, if fortune favors, the elusive marsh turtle.
This oasis is also a popular destination for bird watchers, offering a living environment for a plethora of migratory birds, particularly during the Spring and Autumn. Whether you're an avid birdwatcher or a curious observer, binoculars are available for hire to ensure the best possible view of these avian visitors.
The Kobuleti Protected Areas are dedicated to preserving the unique wetland ecosystems, particularly waterfowl habitats of international significance, as recognized by the Ramsar Convention. With its unique blend of water birds and plant life, this corner of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, encompassing the northeastern part of the Kobuleti coastal plain, is a testament to nature's diversity and resilience.
The intrigue of the Kobuleti Nature Reserve extends to its flora, where botanists have been captivated by the boreal species found here, such as the sphagnum or white moss and the insect-eating drosera. For those with a sense of adventure and a love for the natural world, a visit to the Kobuleti Nature Reserve is a must.
