We spent few hours on safari (250 UAH) in Askania-Nova. It is one of the oldest and largest biosphere reserves in Europe, located in a remote part of the Kherson steppe. Nowadays, this unique island of primordial nature, where live many rare animal species and exotic plants, is recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine and is a part of the world network of UNESCO’s biosphere reserves. A lover of nature, baron Friedrich Falz-Fein, established this wildlife preserve at the end of the 19th century. He gave up his lands in order to save the unique steppe and its inhabitants. Later, having traveled to zoos and botanical gardens all over the world, the environmentalist began to bring to Askania-Nova exotic animals, birds, and plants that seemed unfit to live on a steppe. But some animal species not only adapted to their new habitat but even began to flourish. Just two years later, almost two thousand species of mammals were living on the reserve. During our short tour, we saw some bison, famous wild Przewalski’s horses, zebras, and antelopes.
Parking location – Askania-Nova: 46.452767N 33.875726E