The "Zarafshan" National Park
2025-04-01 00:00:00 / National Natural Parks
The Zarafshan National Park was established in 1975. The natural park is located in the Jambay and Bulungur districts of the Samarkand region, along the right bank of the Zarafshan River, with a length of 47 km.
The main goal of the natural park is to preserve natural objects and complexes representing unique ecological, cultural, and aesthetic value, including relic tugai forests on the banks of the Zarafshan River.
The total area of the Zarafshan National Nature Park is 2,426.4 hectares.
Of these:
protected area - 1,772 hectares,
recreational zone - 352.4 hectares,
territory for economic purposes - 302 hectares.
The National Nature Park is located in the middle belt of the Zarafshan River, on the eastern slope of the Zarafshan depression, between the Zarafshan and Turkestan mountains. On the right bank of the Zarafshan River, there are low banks, lower and upper alluvial terraces. The territory of the national park is a plain, with an altitude of 620-900 meters above sea level, bending along the river and located towards the lower reaches of the Zarafshan River.
Flora: There are about 300 species of plants growing in the territory of the natural park. Among them, one can find tamarisk, willow, sea buckthorn, barberry, reed, and others.
More than 80 species of medicinal and 23 species of technical plants have been identified in the National Nature Park, including 73 species of mushrooms and 33 species of algae.
Fauna: In the national park, 26 species of mammals, more than 218 species of birds, 10 species of reptiles, 18 species of fish, 2 species of amphibians, and 88 species of insects have been identified. Two species of amphibians, 26 species of birds, 2 species of fish, 2 species of mollusks, and 1 species of reptiles are included in the Red Book of the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Ecotourism Sites: Eco-trails ranging from 1 to 5 km in length and including 3 directions have been organized for tourists in the National Park between 2018 and 2022. 1 phaeton has been organized for organizing horseback riding for local and foreign tourists.
The museum of the natural park has been restored and replenished with exhibits, where Bukhara deer, wild boar, Zarafshan pheasant, goitered gazelle, hawk, ostrich, monkey, demoiselle crane, peacock, owl, lynx, snake, frog, and a collection of various insects are presented.
A small zoo has been created in the National Nature Park, and for breeding pheasants, a pheasantry and a special aviary for large birds have been created on an area of 0.20 hectares.
Hotels: The National Nature Park is located 12-15 km from the regional center of Samarkand, 5 km from the district center. In the city of Samarkand, there are many modern hotels and guesthouses.
Visit time
Weekdays from 12:00 to 20:00 in summer (until 17:00 in winter) Weekends and holidays from 09:00 to 21:00 (until 17:00 in winter)
Address: Hashdala street, Jambay district, Republic of Uzbekistan, Zarafshon village, Samarkand region.