Kherson Oblast’s natural landscape is not defined by a single feature: on the right bank of the Dnipro, ravines and a river terrace shape Kamyanska Sich National Park, while the Oleshky Sands, with their wind-shaped barchans, offer a different landscape. Askania-Nova adds a vast steppe zone to this picture. The area also contains historical and archaeological sites within Kamyanska Sich National Park. When choosing the region for your trip, you can focus on these specific differences—river landforms, dune relief, steppe or cultural heritage.

By the Dnipro: Ravines, River Terrace and Cultural Heritage

Kamyanska Sich National Park lies in the centre of Kherson Oblast, on the right bank of the Dnipro. It includes the Kamyanska and Mylivska ravines, as well as a Dnipro river terrace between Chervonyi Maiak and Kachkarivka. The ravines and terrace give the park two distinct relief features: its landscape ranges from deeply cut terrain to a river terrace.

The historical site of Kamyanska Sich lies within the national park. The park contains a historical and archaeological monument. Thus, in addition to its landforms, the area also has historical and archaeological significance. For travellers interested in history, these specific themes add another dimension to the landscape.

Oleshky Sands: Barchans and Biodiversity

The Oleshky Sands are a landscape of wind-shaped barchans. Some are over 20 metres high and more than 40 metres wide. These measurements give the individual formations a tangible scale. Wind shaping and size offer two ways of looking at the same landscape: how it was formed and how large individual barchans can be.

More than a hundred rare and endangered species of plants, fungi, lichens and animals are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, the European Red List, the IUCN Red List and the Red Data Book of Kherson Oblast. Conservation here extends beyond the striking landforms to include several groups of organisms.

Oleshky Sands National Park has two ecological trails: “Oleshky Desert” and “The Wonderful World of the Oleshky Sands”. Their names highlight different aspects while referring to the same landscape. If you are planning to visit the ecological trails, please check current access in advance.

Askania-Nova: Steppe and Park Areas

The Askania-Nova Biosphere Reserve covers just over 33,000 hectares; one third of it is a strictly protected steppe zone. This proportion shows the role of this landscape type within the reserve: the steppe makes up a clearly quantified share of the total area. Unlike the height and width of the barchans, the precise point of reference here is the share of the area occupied by the strictly protected zone.

The biosphere reserve includes a dendrological park of national importance and an acclimatisation zoological park. The latter’s animal collection is considered a national cultural asset of Ukraine. Askania-Nova thus combines the steppe zone with two named park areas; the animal collection also has cultural status. A dendrological park focuses on trees and shrubs, while the zoological park offers a different perspective on natural history through its animal collection.

Discover More Destinations

Ukrainka, Skadovsk, Nova Kakhovka, Kherson, Bilozerka, Kakhovka, Novovorontsovs'kyi District, Skadovs'kyi District, Bilozers'kyi District, Kakhovka District, Zaliznyi Port, Shchaslyvtseve, Heniches'ka Hirka, Khorly, Strilkove, Lyubymivka, Lazurne, Oleksiivka, Kizomys

For the broader travel overview: Ukraine.