The «Ile-Balkhash» State Nature Reserve is located on the territory of the Balkhash district of the Almaty region of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

The territory of the reserve is an extremely important natural complex and is represented by 2 sites – «Pribalkhashsky» and «Ile River Delta». This is the only preserved river delta within Central Asia.

The Ile River Delta section covers the northwestern narrow part of the lake’s water area. Balkhash at a distance of 500 m from the modern water edge and wetlands of the coastal part, including delta lakes and interstitial spaces between the channels of the Zhideli, Iir. In the middle part it includes the interfluve of the Shybyk, Kokuzek, Shagarai and Bayminey channels, as well as lakes.

The Pribalkhashsky site is located 20 km east of Karaoi village and includes a narrow strip of water area (500 m) and the coast of Lake. Balkhash. The northern boundary of the site runs along Lake Balkhash at a distance of 500 m from the water’s edge towards the water area. The eastern border coincides with the border of the Balkhash district of the Almaty region. The southern border runs in a straight line parallel to the shoreline of Lake Balkhash and coincides with the border of the Karoy State Nature Preserve. The western border runs perpendicular to the water cut in the lake from north to south.

The entire territory of the reserve is located in a zone of real deserts.

The southern coast of Lake Balkhash and the delta of the Ile River are a place of concentration of wetland and near-water birds.

The main attraction of the reserve is the Tugai red deer (Cervus elaphus bactrianus), which recently stood on the verge of extinction and only returned to the Ile-Balkhash region in December 2018

A visit to the Ile-Balkhash Reserve is a great opportunity to relax in nature and get unforgettable impressions from meeting amazing species of local flora and fauna.