Incredible nature is something that Ukraine is famous for. There are plenty of nature reserves in Ukraine that can help you discover various landscapes and take your breath away. However, we chose 5 the most known, easy-to-get and must-visit ones.

The Carpathian National Natural Park

The oldest and the largest national park in Ukraine located in the Western part of Ukraine in a very heart of the Carpathian mountains. It's extremely big, so it has a rich flora and fauna. A lot of well-know attractions are located here. Such as the highest point in Ukraine - Goverla, the Guk waterfall and several glacial mountain lakes.

The Carpathians have dozens of trails. However, just a few of them have proper marks and ensure complete safety for independent tourists. Therefore, the best thing to do is to have a hike with a local or book a tour guide at the agency. People here are extremely hospitable and friendly. Just talk to them and they would be happy to help you discover their region.

How to get: Take a train or a bus to Ivano-Frankivsk region. A usual checkpoints to get to the park are located in the surrounding towns and villages, such as Yaremche, Vorokhta, Bukovel, and Verkhovyna. The park is big, so wherever choose you go, there's going to be enough places to see and enjoy.

Biosphere Reserve Askania-Nova

One of the largest and oldest biosphere reserves in Europe is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine. Located on the South of Ukraine in the virgin steppes this nature reserve became an outdoor museum of wild and pure nature. Here you can find various kinds of trees and plants from all over the world, many of which are endangered. A reserve’s zoo is home for 450 species of exotic animals and birds. Its unique collection includes Indian and African antelopes, zebras, Scottish ponies, wild Przewalski's horses, white and black swans, cranes, flamingos, bustards, emus, parrots, and many other rare species.

The best way to explore the wildlife preserve and its unique inhabitants is to go on a safari by car or horseback. If you are planning to visit Askania-Nova in summer, keep in mind that at this time the preserve often restricts the number of visitors or even cancels the safari cause of high risk of fires.

How to get: Get to Nova Khahovka by bus/train from Kyiv or Kherson. This way you'll be 75 km away from the nature reserve. Then find a car from here to get to Askania-Nova.

Natural Park Shatsky Lakes

The is the most famous and most visited nature reserve in Ukraine's North. The park's main attractions are Shatsky Lakes with absolutely pure water and green forests around.

Shatsky Lakes offer many opportunities for your vacation. You can go on a tour on kayaks or fishing, gather mushrooms and berries in the forests or simply spend some time swimming and sunbathing on Svityaz' (biggest and deepest lake in Ukraine). It's a famous place among locals for beach family vacations. In addition, there is an opportunity to play paintball or ride horses on the park’s territory.

How to get: Park is easy to get from almost every city of Volynska or Lviv region by bus or car. It consists from several small cities and villages so there is a big choice of places to go.

The National Natural Park ‘Bugski Guard’

The national park ‘Bugski Guard’ located in the valley of the Southern Bug in the Mykolaiv region. It gives a chance to discover canyons and rocky river banks on which rare animal species live and unique plants grow. Many of these species are listed as endangered.

In case you want to discover an only one similar to Americans canyon in Europe -  Aktovsky canyon - you have to come to this park. Today it's not only a place for sightseeing, but also for practicing extreme sports. One of Europe’s most popular rapids for whitewater rafting is located here. You can try rock climbing on Aktovsky canyon's walls as well.

How to get: Go to Mykolaiyiv city by train or bus. Then drive to the village Migiya located near the park.

Narcissus Valley

A special one among nature reserves in Ukraine, it is located in the natural boundary Kireshy between the rivers Tysa and Khustets’ in the outskirts of Khust. Annually thousands of tourists come to enjoy fragrance of refined flowers to this nature reserve in Ukraine. Today Narcissus Valley is the only place in the world where these beautiful flowers grow at an altitude of 200 m above sea level instead of usual 2000 m.

The flowering time is from the 1st to the 25th May. These days Valley is free for visits from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm seven days a week.

How to get: Take a bus or train to Khust. After you reach the station find a car or taxi to reach the Valley.

Enjoy your tour to nature reserves in Ukraine and discover an incredible nature of our country.