21 June 2026
(Lower Dniester National Park. PHOTO: encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com)
The Lower Dniester National Nature Park is one of the most valuable nature conservation sites in southern Ukraine. The park stretches along the lower reaches of the Dniester River in the Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi and Odesa districts of Odesa Oblast (according to the current administrative division). It ranks among the top ten national nature parks in Ukraine.
The park was established in 2008 with the aim of preserving the unique natural ecosystems of the Dniester Delta, which are of immense ecological, scientific, and recreational significance. The park covers an area of over 21,000 hectares. This picturesque corner of the Odesa region will be the focus of our regular column, “The Amazing South.”
The Dniester Delta is a unique natural complex in the Northern Black Sea region and one of Europe’s most productive ecological systems. This is where the river branches into numerous channels and inlets, forming a complex natural labyrinth. Thanks to the constant interaction between fresh river water and estuarine waters, unique conditions have been created for a rich variety of flora and fauna.
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Lower Dniester National Park. PHOTO: ua.igotoworld.com
Today, the park’s boundaries include parts of two wetlands of international importance—“the Dniester-Turunchuk Interfluve” and “Northern Part of the Dniester Estuary”—which are designated as protected natural sites under the Ramsar Convention. This area is a key site for fish spawning and the nesting of many rare bird species.
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The Dniester-Turunchuk Labyrinths. PHOTO: upload.wikimedia.org
The nature reserve complex encompasses vast floodplains, lakes, channels, and coastal areas of the Dniester Estuary. At its heart lies the Dniester Floodplains tract, which occupies nearly one-third of the park’s total area.
The Dniester Floodplains are one of the largest and most valuable wetland ecosystems in Ukraine. They are located in the lower reaches of the Dniester River before it flows into the Dniester Estuary and cover a vast area crisscrossed by channels, lakes, marshy areas, and patches of land densely covered with moisture-loving vegetation (reeds and cattails). These floodplains form the natural core of the Lower Dniester National Nature Park and are the most important element of the Northern Black Sea Region’s ecological system.
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Dniester floodplains. PHOTO: dumskaya.net
The formation of the floodplains began many years ago under the influence of river sediments—silt, sand, and organic matter—as well as the constant shifting of the Dniester’s riverbed. Periodic marine transgressions (advances of the sea), which flooded the lower part of the river valley, also played a role. As a result of these processes, a unique natural landscape emerged, often referred to as the “Dniester Amazon.”
A distinctive feature of the floodplains is their exceptional biodiversity. Hundreds of plant species grow here, dominated by reeds, cattails, water lilies, and other aquatic plants. The reed beds serve as natural shelter for numerous animals and birds and help maintain ecological balance.
The Dniester floodplains are of great importance to birdlife. During seasonal migrations, tens of thousands of birds stop here. In the floodplains, one can encounter gray and red herons, great white egrets, cormorants, swans, ducks, grebes, and many other bird species. Some of these species are listed in Ukraine’s Red Book and on international conservation lists. As a result, the area is of international importance as a habitat for waterfowl and wetland birds.
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The bird kingdom in the park. PHOTO: wownature.in.ua
The underwater world of the Dniester floodplains is no less rich. Numerous channels and lakes serve as natural spawning grounds for various fish species, including zander, pike, catfish, bream, and crucian carp. This is why the Lower Dniester has long been renowned for its fishing traditions.
In addition to their role in nature conservation, the floodplains play a vital role in maintaining the region’s water balance. They store and filter water, reduce the risk of flooding, prevent bank erosion, and help preserve the quality of water resources. Scientists often refer to such ecosystems as “natural filters” because they purify water of pollutants through natural processes.
The settlement closest to the reserve is the village of Mayaki, which is known not only for its rich historical heritage but also as the gateway to the Lower Dniester National Nature Park.
Mayaki is one of the oldest settlements in the region. The village is located on the left bank of the Dniester River in the Odesa region. Local historians and scholars propose the following theories regarding the origin of the village’s name:
The history of these lands spans more than six centuries and is closely linked to the development of trade, navigation, and defense in the Lower Dniester region. The official date of the settlement’s founding is considered to be 1421. It was then that Vytautas, Grand Duke of Lithuania, ordered the construction of the Mayak-Karavul border castle on the banks of the Dniester. The fortress served as a guard post and customs station on important international trade routes.
In the 16th century, the Mayak-Karavul Castle was destroyed during the Turkish conquests. Despite this, the settlement did not disappear. Thanks to its proximity to the navigable Dniester River, trade and freight transport continued to develop here. In the centuries that followed, trade routes connecting the Black Sea region with Moldova and other regions passed through Mayaky.
After the Northern Black Sea region was annexed by the Russian Empire in the late 18th century, Mayaky’s importance grew even further. One of the most important crossings over the Dniester operated here, and the local pier became a major trading hub. Grain, fish, and other goods bound for Odesa and the Black Sea ports were transported through it.
Mayaky is rightly considered one of the historical symbols of the Lower Dniester region, preserving the memory of medieval fortresses, trade routes, and the centuries-old history of southern Ukraine. It is in Mayaky that one’s journey into the world of the Dniester floodplains begins. Many tourist routes start here, and the area itself attracts travelers with its incredible landscapes, fishing opportunities, and the chance to explore the unique nature of the Dniester Delta.
The most interesting parts of the Lower Dniester Park are accessible only by water. Ecological routes have been developed for visitors:
During the tours, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Dniester floodplains, colonies of cormorants, herons, and pelicans, as well as picturesque channels and floodplain forests. Due to the current martial law and security restrictions, visits to the border zone—where most of the Dniester Delta’s waterways are located—are strictly regulated.
Currently available:
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Lake Bile. PHOTO: i.ytimg.com
For a complete list and to arrange boat or kayak trips, it’s best to check directly with the park administration.
The great cormorant is one of the most distinctive members of the avifauna of the Lower Dniester National Nature Park. It is a large waterbird with distinctive black plumage. Thanks to the abundance of fish, vast waterways, and hard-to-reach floodplains of the Dniester Delta, this bird has found ideal conditions here for nesting, resting, and feeding.
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Great Cormorant. PHOTO: encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com
Within the Lower Dniester National Nature Park, cormorants form large colonies located on islands, in willow and poplar thickets, and in hard-to-reach areas of the floodplains. Nesting usually begins in the spring.
Fish form the basis of the great cormorant’s diet. Thanks to its excellent underwater hunting skills, the bird is capable of diving to depths of up to several meters and pursuing prey underwater. In the waters of the Lower Dniester, cormorants feed primarily on crucian carp, roach, bream, perch, and other abundant fish species. An adult bird can consume up to 3 kilograms of fish per day.
The Dniester floodplains play an important role in the life of the great cormorant, not only as a breeding ground but also as a key stopover during seasonal migrations. In the fall and spring, the bird population increases significantly as individuals move between wintering and nesting grounds.
The great cormorant is a key component of the ecosystem of the Lower Dniester National Nature Park. As a natural predator, it helps regulate fish populations and serves as an indicator of the health of aquatic ecosystems. The presence of large cormorant colonies indicates the preservation of a rich food supply and the high ecological value of the Dniester floodplains.
Great cormorants are an integral part of the Dniester Delta ecosystem; however, their overpopulation has become a serious problem. The birds are decimating fish populations and entire sections of forest, creating so-called “dead forests” (for example, near Vilkha Island) due to their toxic droppings, which turn trees into white-gray skeletons.
Interesting Facts
The most convenient entry point to the park is the village of Mayaki, located about 40 km from Odesa. This is where most of the nature trails and boat tours through the Dniester floodplains begin.
By car. From Odesa, take the highway toward Mayaki. The drive takes about 40–50 minutes. Along the way, you’ll enjoy picturesque views of the Dniester Estuary and the coastal steppes.
By public transportation. Suburban buses and minibuses depart regularly from Odesa toward Bilyayivka and Mayaky. Get off in the village of Mayaky, from where you can reach the starting points of the park’s hiking trails.
Юлія Сичова