Feb. 1, 2026, 6:47 p.m.
(IMAGES: Intent)
The Buzky Gard National Nature Park is located in the picturesque valley of the Southern Bug River in Mykolaiv Oblast. With this story, Intent continues the "Amazing South" series, which has already featured the Dead Sea's competitor from Odesa region, Kuyalnyk.
The park covers the coast of the Pivdennyi Buh River within Pervomaiskyi and Voznesenskyi districts and covers an area of more than 6000 hectares. The area is known for its steep river rapids, canyons and granite cliffs. It is one of the most valuable protected areas in Ukraine, combining unique landscapes, rich historical heritage and great tourist potential.
This park was among the winners of the nationwide competition 7 Wonders of Ukraine. A similar campaign was also held in Mykolaiv region, and four of the seven natural wonders of the region were identified on the territory of the park complex.
The landscape of the Buzky Gard. PHOTO: Wikipedia
The park was born in 2009 as part of a program to preserve the natural and cultural complexes of the Southern Bug Valley on the basis of the Granite-Steppe Pobuzhzhia Regional Landscape Park. But it took a long time to create these magical landscapes. For several million years, Mother Nature herself has been working on this "project".
The territory of the modern Buhsky Gard is one of the oldest land areas in Eurasia that has not been submerged in the sea for more than 60 million years. In this area, some of the oldest rocks of our country's geological structure, the Ukrainian Crystal Shield, are exposed to the surface. By the way: the park is home to a unique natural object, the Compass Rock, which has magnetic properties.
A view of the Buzky Gard. PHOTO: Kyiv poster
Here you can see huge boulders and rocks 40-60 meters high, steep cliffs, the base of which is washed by turbulent river flows. In some places, the smooth and calm waters of the Southern Bug River seem to "boil", thus creating the so-called Myhia Rapids.
In addition to its natural value, the Buzky Gard Park has an important historical significance. This picturesque area has been attracting people since time immemorial. It is rich in archaeological sites representing different historical eras. Some of them are several tens of thousands of years old. Evidence of the existence of ancient cultures, the remains of settlements and mounds of various extinct ethnic groups - Cimmerians, Trypillians, Scythians, Sarmatians, ancient Slavs, and Romans - are constantly being found on these lands. In general, more than 100 archaeological sites of different eras have been found on the territory, including the sites of primitive people.
A view of the "Buhsky Gard". PHOTO: Ecodia
The Buzky Gard got its name from the Cossack palanquin center of the Zaporozhian Lowland Army, which existed on these lands several centuries ago. For more than three hundred years, this territory was controlled by Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. In addition to being one of the most important strategic points for controlling crossings, trade routes, and having a defensive function, this place was also famous for its fish-catching structures - gardas. The Cossacks built such structures on the banks of the rocky rivers of the southern part of Ukraine, and they existed in this area until 1945. The remains of Cossack winter quarters, fortresses, and crossings from the Zaporizhzhia Sich era are still preserved in the park.
"Buzky Gard is characterized by a great deal of biodiversity. Due to the unique landscape conditions and special microclimate, plants of Mediterranean and Alpine origin can be found in the canyon-like valleys of the Southern Bug and on the rocks. More than 1000 species of plants, lichens, bryophytes, and many types of fungi and algae grow here. More than 30 species of plants are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, and some are also included in the European and World Red Data Lists. Some representatives of the plant environment of the National Nature Park are among the rare plants of the Pryazh and Black Sea region, which grow mainly within the area. Among them are the beech broom, Klockov's cherry, beech meringia, Borysova's cleavage, beech tulip, and many others. There are also relict vegetation species from different geological epochs that have been preserved in their original state from ancient times to the present day.
The rich fauna of the protected complex also includes rare and endangered representatives of the local fauna. The park is a home and a refuge for many animals, such as: forest cat, river otter, white-bellied squirrel, badger, fox, red evening cat, ermine, etc.; more than 160 species of birds: Dwarf eagle, lesser eagle, black stork, gray shrike, etc.; reptiles and amphibians, including: forest snake, green lizard, marsh turtle, yellow-bellied snake, etc.; almost 2000 species of insects: deer beetle, atypical dybka, emperor sentinel, common xylocopa.
Interestingly, the park is home to one of the largest colonies of bats in Ukraine
Many of the park's animals are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, are included in international red lists and are protected under the Bern Convention.
In the Buzky Gard. PHOTO: Suspilne Mykolaiv
Part of the park's territory from Pervomaisk to the village of Oleksandrivka is a very popular place for tourist pilgrimages. The landscape here is the result of a centuries-long process of forming unique granite rocks that create giant structures of natural origin. That is why these places are very attractive for extreme sportsmen. Climbers and mountaineers hone their skills here and hold competitions to demonstrate their skills.
The stormy streams of the Southern Bug River and stony banks create steep rapids that attract increased attention from water sports enthusiasts. The Myhia rapids are one of the best water slalom courses with natural obstacles in Europe. The number of these rapids is 12, and they are the largest and most powerful of them. The advantage of rafting in this region is the relatively warm river water of the Southern Bug, which makes the conditions for sports competitions more comfortable than similar rafting on mountain rivers.
In the "Bug Gard". PHOTO: Kyiv poster
For those who are not a fan of the thrill of extreme sports, a natural jacuzzi awaits at one of the river rapids, where the turbulent water "conducts a session" of hydromassage.
"Buzky Gard" is an unrealistically beautiful and exciting place to visit and relax for every taste. Those who prefer a quieter pastime will also find something to their liking here. The park offers a variety of excursions, horseback riding and hiking; camping, picnics and various entertainment are organized. There is a hunting ground in the surrounding area. Thus, visitors of the park complex have the opportunity to get the whole "spectrum" of positive emotions and pleasant impressions from the rest in this picturesque place.
It should be noted that the entrance to the park is paid - 50 UAH per person, and pre-registration for rafting is also required.
In the "Buzkyi Gard". PHOTO: depositphotos
There are different ways to get to this unique place. The most convenient way is by car.
The distance from Kyiv to the village of Myhia, where the park administration is located, is 328 km. This is about a four-hour drive in the direction of Mykolaiv.
From Mykolaiv: two hours in the direction of Pervomaisk.
From Odesa to Pervomaisk, the distance is 218 km and three hours by car.
There are also options for bus routes. The park is very conveniently located near the Kyiv-Mykolaiv highway.
Trains run from more remote parts of the country. The nearest railway stations to the park are located in the cities: Pervomaisk, Voznesensk and Yuzhnoukrainsk. From these settlements, the park can be reached by bus or taxi.
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