Visit
Guesthouses in the Batumi bottleneck
Stay with local families in Sakhalvasho and Shuamta, right by the count stations.
Photo: Video: Johannes Jansen
Why stay in the bottleneck
Support conservation and the local community
We highly advise everyone who is interested in visiting the area to stay in one of the guesthouses close to the watchsites. This is a very authentic experience, where you can get to know the local culture while enjoying the migration from the terrace of your guesthouse. Moreover, the economic opportunities created in this way have helped us to gain support within the local community to reduce the illegal hunting of birds of prey — a vital step in building long-term conservation success.
In 2010, BRC created a network of guesthouses run by local families, where visitors could stay for a modest fee. We provided training, feedback, and coordinated the bookings. From 2015 to 2016, the guesthouses were run by the tour company Batumi Birding. Since 2017, the guesthouses have been independently managed and organized.
To give every guesthouse an equal opportunity to welcome visitors, we no longer coordinate bookings or recommend specific hosts. This keeps things fair and supports a healthy relationship between our project and the local community, so the guidance on this page points you to the best independent resources.
During your stay
Birding in the Batumi bottleneck
From your guesthouse, world-class raptor migration and the region's other birding hotspots are all within easy reach.
Visit the count sites
During your stay you can visit the raptor watch points at Sakhalvasho and Shuamta to meet our volunteer raptor count team. The guesthouses are within walking distance of the Sakhalvasho watchpoint, and BRC runs a regular bus service from the village to the second count station at Shuamta. Ask us the day before about vacant seats and timing. We count on a kind donation to our project for every ride you take with us.
Explore nearby birding spots
The bottleneck sits at the heart of a much richer birding landscape. Within easy reach of the guesthouses are the Chorokhi Delta, the Batumi seaside, and Mtirala National Park. Slightly further away, Kobuleti and the Kolkheti National Park can be reached by public transport, or on a guided tour with tour companies.
Plan your visit
Continue planning your visit
Everything you need to make the most out of your stay in the Batumi bottleneck, in one place.
Birding in Batumi
It's not just raptors in the Batumi bottleneck. Birding hotspots to explore beyond the raptor migration.
Read more
You're here
Guesthouses
Stay with local families right beside the count stations to support ecotourism and conservation.
How to get to us
Flights, trains, buses and directions to Batumi and the watch sites in the bottleneck.
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