Out of TownOut of TownPhoto: Staranya, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Korgalzhyn Nature Reserve is a vast steppe with a system of lakes where thousands of pink flamingos nest every spring, having reached the northernmost point of their range in the world—a sight that attracts birdwatchers from around the globe. In addition to flamingos, 365 bird species have been recorded in the reserve, but independent visits are not possible: the territory is strictly protected and can only be visited on an organized tour with a guide, typically from May to October.
The reserve was established on April 18, 1968, and in 2008, following the expansion of its territory to 543 thousand hectares, it was included along with the Tengiz-Korgalzhyn lake system in the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the "Saryarka—Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan" site. The lake system is one of the key locations on the migration route of migratory birds between Africa, Europe, and Siberia.