Shirvan National Park Safari: Gazelles, Birdwatching, Lunch

Watch Goitered Gazelles from meters away, then eat lunch in a countryside garden.

This private or group eco-tour from Baku explores Shirvan National Park's semi-desert ecosystem with a professional guide, offering close-up gazelle sightings, birdwatching around wetland areas, and a stop at the historic Sangachal Caravanserai. The day ends with an organic Azerbaijani lunch in a local family home, where you can walk through their grape garden and pick seasonal fruit. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Shirvan National Park eco-tour

• Stop at Sangachal Caravanserai
• Guided safari in Shirvan National Park
• Observe gazelles and birdwatching
• Enjoy organic lunch at local home
• Walk and fruit picking in garden

The experience

The tour starts with a brief stop at Sangachal Caravanserai, a quiet remnant of the ancient Silk Road where your guide explains the site's history and cultural weight while you photograph the exterior architecture. Then the vehicle heads into Shirvan National Park, where a park-approved safari vehicle and professional local guide take you through Azerbaijan's semi-desert landscape. Goitered Gazelles often appear within 5 to 10 meters of the route, and binoculars are provided for birdwatching around the park's wetland areas. Your guide shares what the park's vegetation and wildlife reveal about the conservation work supported by WWF and IDEA.

Lunch happens in a countryside home near the park, where a local family serves dishes made from their own garden: dolma, pilaf, tandir bread, fresh salads, and homemade jams, followed by tea. After eating, you walk through their grape garden and can taste and pick seasonal fruit depending on what is growing. This stop supports the family directly and gives a real sense of rural life in the region.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off from Baku.
• binoculars for birdwatching.
• admission to Shirvan National Park.
• a professional local guide speaking English, Russian or Turkish.
• an organic Azerbaijani lunch with tea at a local family home.
• access to the family's fruit garden for seasonal picking.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private tourGuide in English, Russian or Turkish · 08:00 and 09:00This private booking runs for 7 hours with flexible timing, and pickup is included.

Group tourGuide in English, Russian or Turkish · 08:00

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 09:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (under 13)

GroupUp to 18

Live guideEnglish, Russian and Turkish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 9

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Old City Tours LLC

Is this one for you?Choose the private tour if you want the flexibility to move at your own pace and ask questions without a larger group. The group tour keeps costs lower and pairs you with other travelers interested in wildlife and conservation. Both options include the same park experience, lunch, and fruit picking. The difference is group size and price.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

2 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Russian and Turkish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 13).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What wildlife will I actually see in Shirvan National Park?

Goitered Gazelles are the main draw and often visible from as close as 5 to 10 meters. The park also has diverse birdlife, especially around wetland areas where binoculars help you spot species you would miss with the naked eye.

Is the lunch included in the price, or do I pay extra?

The organic lunch at the local family home is included in the tour price. The park admission fee of 9 USD (15 AZN) per person is charged separately at the gate.

What is the Sangachal Caravanserai, and how long do we spend there?

Sangachal Caravanserai is a historic stop on the ancient Silk Road, now a quiet, rarely visited site. The visit lasts 10 to 15 minutes, giving you time to explore the exterior architecture and take photos while your guide explains its cultural significance.

How long is the full tour, and what time does it start?

The tour runs for 8 hours total. Your hotel pickup time depends on which option you book. Your confirmation will specify the exact departure time.

Can I pick fruit during the lunch stop?

Yes. After lunch, you walk through the family's grape garden and can taste and harvest seasonal fruit depending on what is growing at the time of your visit.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the park, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off from Baku are included in the tour price. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer to meet the group at the park entrance.