KAZAKHSTAN:
Black Larks and Sociable Lapwings in Korgalzhyn State Nature ReserveTo complete the experience in Central Asia, we have created an extension visiting the unique steppes of northern Kazakhstan; we head for the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve. The reserve territory ranges from marshes into semi-deserted steppes covering the area located west of the capital Nur-Sultan. Korgalzhyn flaunts with wild and primeval, inexhaustibly untamed looks which seem almost everlasting. The spacious ground of the reserve lays even under the golden rays of the heated sun. The fair-colored grass sways in the wind as if it’s lost in a quaint dance. From a distance, cheerful voices of jubilant birds are heard with their wingbeats disturbing the air.
The reserve carries the name of “The pearl of the region” as it is lavish with astounding nature. Korgalzhyn State Natural Reserve berries significant importance worldwide due to the abundance of rare steppe species found only here. For hundreds of years, the reserve territory has been habituated by myriads of mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. However, the most outstanding feature of the park is characterized by the fact that the area is highly popular among migratory birds due to the availability of hundreds of small lakes, allowing them to feed and rest. During the season, the endless fields of the reserve burst with colors and turn into a real bird fest.
We focus mainly on the migratory waders that number in the millions during their adventure north during this particular outing. Equally interesting are those rare steppe species such as Black Lark, White-winged Lark, and Sociable Lapwing. The specially designed Tragopan Hides will do get us close to the water edge to photograph these wonders.
The extension program focuses on achieving the best photographs of a handful of mythical species. Our experienced photographic guide Samuel Bloch leads this explicit trip to ensure you have an exciting photo journey!
Throughout this photography journey, we have a specific shortlist of exclusive species in mind. We will primarily aim at these species to get the best possible images. Besides these targets, we will receive many opportunities to photograph other sublime species as by-catch. Here below, we describe the potential species in Group A & Group B.
Group A: exclusive targets
1. Whooper Swan 2. Ruddy Shelduck 3. Red-crested Pochard 4. White-headed Duck 5. Merlin (pallidus) 6. Red-footed Falcon 7. Pallid Harrier 8. Demoiselle Crane |
9. Sociable Lapwing 10. Little Ringed Plover 11. Spotted Redshank 12. Marsh Sandpiper 13. Common Greenshank 14. Wood Sandpiper 15. Terek Sandpiper 16. Little Stint |
17. Temminck’s Stint 18. Dunlin 19. Curlew Sandpiper 20. Ruff 21. Red-necked Phalarope 22. Black-winged Pratincole 23. Pallas’s Gull 24. White-winged Tern |
25. Black Lark 26. White-winged Lark 27. Booted Warbler 28. Bluethroat 29. Masked Wagtail 30. Pine Bunting |
Group B: possible by-catch
1. Mute Swan 2. Northern Pintail 3. Northern Shoveler 4. Gadwall 5. Garganey 6. Tufted Duck 7. Red-necked Grebe 8. Great Crested Grebe 9. Slavonian Grebe 10. Black-necked Grebe 11. Greater Flamingo 12. Great Bittern 13. Western Marsh Harrier |
14. Long-legged Buzzard 15. Steppe Eagle 16. Water Rail 17. Spotted Crake 18. Common Coot 19. Black-winged Stilt 20. Northern Lapwing 21. Black-tailed Godwit 22. Eurasian Curlew 23. Caspian Tern 24. Common Tern 25. Oriental Turtle Dove 26. Short-eared Owl |
27. Rook 28. Azure Tit 29. Bearded Reedling 30. Long-tailed Tit 31. Eurasian Skylark 32. Paddyfield Warbler 33. Blyth’s Reed Warbler 34. Siberian Chiffchaff 35. Greenish Warbler 36. Hume’s Leaf Warbler 37. Lesser Whitethroat 38. Common Starling 39. Black-throated Thrush |
40. Siberian Stonechat 41. Northern Wheatear 42. Isabelline Wheatear 43. Pied Wheatear 44. Spotted Flycatcher 45. Eurasian Tree Sparrow 46. Citrine Wagtail 47. Western Yellow Wagtail (beema) 48. Tawny Pipit 49. Common Rosefinch 50. Reed Bunting |
Highlights
- Several days of an excellent extension to finalize the best bird photography Central Asia has to offer!
- Visit the Tengiz Lake that accommodates millions of migratory birds each season.
- Get close to breeding colonies of Black-winged Pratincoles.
- Have fun experiencing the massive wader migration of Central Asia.
- Witness the endless green steppes of the Korgalzhyn State Natural Reserve, rich with flocks of White-headed Duck, Red-necked Phalaropes, and other over 300 species.
- Tour is led by our knowledgeable and skillful Rubythroat photography leader Samuel Bloch.
Itinerary
-
Flight from Almaty to Nur-Sultan followed by a few hours' drive to the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve. We will for sure pick up our first highly-wanted Black Larks. We finalize the day in the guesthouse near the reserve.
-
Two full days of photography in the Korgalzhyn State Nature Reserve focused on Black and White-winged Larks, Sociable Lapwing, and many others. In the evening of the second day, we return to Nur-Sultan for a grand final dinner.
-
Departure home from the Nur-Sultan International Airport (NQS)
What’s Included?
- English-speaking photographic guide throughout.
- Three nights of accommodations ranging from attractive comfortable tourist hotels to an excellent basic guesthouse in Korgalzhyn.
- Full board scheduled meals in restaurants or picnic lunches in the field, depending on the itinerary.
- All land transfers by comfortable Mercedes Sprinter.
- Led by experienced and professional Rubythroat leader Samuel Bloch.
- Visa support (if needed)
What’s excluded?
- International flight to/from Almaty.
- Personal expenses; laundry, telephone costs etc.
- Alcoholic drinks.
- Extra rooming not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Meals on day one.
- Single room accommodations.
- Travel and health insurance.
Recommended Photography Equipment:
- One or more camera bodies.
- Telephoto lens with a minimum of 400mm.
- Wide-angle lens (we will travel through some amazing landscapes).
- Converters in the range of 1.4 & 2.0 (optional).
- Flash (we have an opportunity for Eurasian Scops Owl).
- Tripod or monopod, according to taste, and head.
- For low-angle situations we recommend a tripod that can spread flat, ground pod or bean bag.

Costs: $1100 or €950, excluding international flights to/from Kazakhstan
Single supplement: $150 or €126
Deposit: : $200 or €168
Group size: minimum 4 and maximum 6
Availability: Spaces available Leader: Samuel Bloch

MAIN FOCUS: | |||
PHOTOGRAPHY |
BIRDS |
LANDSCAPES |
MAMMALS |
SPECIES SEEN: |
80-150 |
DIFFICULTY: | ||||
|
MEDIUM |
|
Extended Tour Program
Day 12: Almaty – Nur-Sultan.
In the morning, we will board the domestic flight that will take us from Almaty 1000km north towards Nur-Sultan. After arrival, we head out of the city and drive to our guesthouse in the village of Korgalzhyn. The exciting drive will render the first Black Larks and also nesting sites of Red-footed Falcon. Finally, we arrive in the early evening and end the day walk through the village with a small reconnaissance.
NIGHT: Basic guesthouse Korgalzhyn.
Day 13-14: Korgalzhyn Nature State Park.
We have dedicated two full days to this magnificent park, home to many Central Asian treasures. We will drive around using excellent Toyota Landcruiser jeeps to get the best and the most photography opportunities. In these open steppe habitats, the car will be our best chance to get our desired images.
The vast wetland area, a combination of virgin steppe and lakes, is home to Wolves, Marmots, and Saiga. However, it is the birds that are the real attraction. The wetlands act as a giant motorway junction service station for birds at a crossroads of two migration routes. Lake Tengiz alone can feed 15 million birds simultaneously – once we witnessed 700k Red-necked Phalaropes! The area, most of which is protected as a 'Zapovednik' (national nature reserve), is home to the world's most northerly population of Greater Flamingo. One of over 300 species of birds, which includes one of the largest wildfowl populations in Asia. Other notable residents include pelicans, cranes, and a variety of birds of prey.
Our main targets here are nesting groups of the globally endangered Sociable Lapwing, which we have "staked out" for you. There are many other excellent attractions in this vast landscape, roadside colonies of Black-winged Pratincoles and White-winged Black Terns in glorious breeding plumage. A blend of migrant shorebirds such as Red-necked Phalaropes, Spotted Redshank, Terek Sandpiper, Little- and Temminck's Stints come into the asset. Ruffs display in all their finery. These enumerable wetlands and lakes are ideal for breeding Dalmatian Pelican, Great Bittern, White-headed Duck, Red-necked and Eared grebes, Whooper Swan, Greylag Goose, Red-crested Pochard, and Caspian Terns. More exclusive are often close colonies of splendid Great Black-headed Gulls, with a supporting cast of Steppe and Slender-billed gulls!
The damp grassy steppe contains elegant Demoiselle Cranes. At the same time, scattered scrub bush should hold Booted Warbler, Pallid Harrier, and gorgeous little Red-footed Falcons. In addition, we should find two other very unique birds today: Black and White-winged Larks, often numerous along the roadside, both species confined to the Central Asian steppes.
On the second day, we return to Nur-Sultan in the evening, where we will enjoy a lovely final dinner.
NIGHT, DAY 13: Basic guesthouse, Korgalzhyn.
NIGHT, DAY 14: Comfortable tourist hotel Nur-Sultan (Astana).
May 24, Day 15: Nur-Sultan to home. After a splendid holiday in Central Asia, it is time to depart home. We say goodbye from Nur-Sultan Airport, where clients fly back home.