Burabay National Park in Kazakhstan receives a million and a half tourists

Burabay National Park Welcomes 1.5 Million Visitors

Burabay National Park in Kazakhstan receives - Nestled three hours north of Kazakhstan's capital city, Astana, lies a breathtaking destination that feels like a hidden gem amid the vast steppe. This remarkable landscape features crystal-clear lakes surrounded by wooded hills, with dramatic rock formations rising from the water's surface. Towering cliffs mirror themselves in the calm waters below, creating scenery reminiscent of scenes from the "Lord of the Rings" films. During winter months, when the Euronews production team "Modern Nomads" explored this region, the entire area transforms into a frozen wonderland. Lakes become solid sheets of ice, forests rest beneath thick snow cover, and temperatures consistently drop below minus twenty degrees Celsius. Despite the harsh conditions, winter visitors find peace and tranquility in this remote setting.

Seasonal Transformations and Activities

Summer brings a completely different atmosphere to Burabay. The national park and neighboring village buzz with energy as thousands of weekend travelers arrive to enjoy the warm weather. Dining establishments remain open throughout the season, serving diverse culinary options. Visitors can participate in numerous outdoor pursuits including swimming, sunbathing, hiking, cycling, ziplining safaris, rowing, canoeing, and scenic boat excursions. This beloved destination, also called Borovoe in Russian, has entertained Kazakh families for generations. Deputy Governor Yernar Zharkeshov of the Akmola Region explains the area's appeal: "It is good for family and children tourism, eco tourism, gambling but also active vacation like sport activities."

Environmental preservation remains a priority for local officials. Zharkeshov continues, "We have a special focus on EKO tourism. That is why we have special designated trails for eco-tourists so there is a minimum infrastructure, you can enjoy really wild forests mountain hikes and no one can interfere and you can be in sync with nature."

Historical Significance and Natural Heritage

Generations of Kazakh people maintain emotional connections to Burabay through childhood memories. Since Soviet era, numerous children's camps have operated along the lake shores. Today, more than twenty such facilities continue to welcome young visitors. Senior park ranger Bauyryhan Makhmetov notes, "On the banks of the nearby lake, there were many pioneer camps during soviet times. They are still there, they were reconstructed, some new ones have been built and they receive thousands of children every day."

The park has invested heavily in infrastructure improvements for the current season. Makhmetov adds, "We have prepared the park for this season with more observation platforms, more hiking trails, places for camping. So, whatever the people want, they can find, they can even light a barbecue and have meal in the nature."

Burabay's unique combination of pine forests and freshwater bodies has long been recognized for respiratory health benefits. The area has served as a healing destination since Russian imperial times, with the first lung patient sanatorium established in 1910. Today, over a dozen medical institutions and sanatoriums operate within the park boundaries. UNESCO recognized Burabay National Park's ecological importance by adding it to the biosphere reserves list, citing three hundred vertebrate species and more than eight hundred plant varieties. Wildlife residents include elk, roe deer, wild boar, wolf, Eurasian lynx, fox, ermine, weasel, marten, and badger.

Fishing and Conservation Efforts

Local maral deer farms attract visitors interested in traditional healing practices. The deer antlers, known locally as "panty," are utilized in therapeutic baths. Summer fishing opportunities abound, though visitors must secure limited permits to maintain sustainable fish populations. Ichthyologist Sergey Kucherenko explains the permit system: "We issue permits for fishing after careful study of what amount of fishing will not deplete and harm ichthyofauna."

Each lake contains distinct fish species, offering varied experiences for anglers. Kucherenko elaborates, "It is worth saying that there is a dominant species of fish in each lake and in each lake it is different. For instance lake Borovoe is good for catching pike and perch in winter and Siberian roach and carp in summer. The next lake Schuche is rich in white fish and the one after it in carp. So, fisherman who comes here can have different experience every day, visiting different lakes."

Local authorities currently address two interconnected challenges: maintaining ecological balance while accommodating growing tourist numbers, and simultaneously attracting more visitors to boost regional economic development. Efforts to enhance winter tourism through additional cold-weather activities have already earned Burabay a rare permit, positioning the park for continued growth and preservation.