Bahram-e Gur Protected Area

Bahram-e Gur Protected Area lies in the heart of Iran's central plateau, on the border of three provinces: Fars, Kerman and Yazd. Covering more than 408,000 hectares, it was designated a protected area in 1972 (1351 in the Solar Hijri calendar) and has since become one of the country's most important natural habitats. Its elevation ranges from 1,600 to 2,787 metres above sea level. This diverse ecology has made the area one of Iran's leading nature-tourism destinations and makes it well suited to rare and endangered species.

The vegetation is a mix of desert and semi-desert species such as zygophyllum (qeych), wormwood (artemisia), wild almond, wild pistachio (baneh), kalkhang, harmal (esfand) and caravan-killer (karvan-kosh). Bahram-e Gur is the only stable habitat of the Persian onager in the country, and a dynamic, natural population of this valuable species lives here. In addition, other species such as the Asiatic cheetah, goitered gazelle, wild sheep and wild goat, fox, wolf, caracal, hyena, chukar partridge, see-see partridge, houbara bustard, Eurasian jay (Iranian ground jay) and birds of prey are found in the area, reflecting the exceptional biodiversity of Iran's central plateau.

The best time to visit Bahram-e Gur is spring, especially the month of Ordibehesht (late April to May), when the vegetation is at its freshest. To reach the area, you can go through the town of Neyriz in Fars Province, take the Neyriz–Sirjan road, and then follow the dirt tracks to the villages of Chah Arab or Beshneh. Because there are no facilities, it is essential to bring full nature-trekking equipment and enough water and food. Practising responsible tourism in protected areas, such as not lighting fires, taking your rubbish with you and respecting wildlife, will help preserve this valuable ecosystem.