Visit
How to get to us
Travel information for reaching the count stations in the Batumi bottleneck.
Photo:Video: Juho Jolkkonen
Our project revolves around the Batumi bottleneck, in the Autonomous Republic of Ajara, South-West Georgia. Our volunteer residences and guesthouses sit in Sakhalvasho, a small village just north of Batumi near Makhinjauri, with our office in the middle of the village by the school. A few more guesthouses are available in Shuamta (Chaisubani), near the second count station.
Where to find us
Our count stations
Open either location straight in Google Maps for turn-by-turn directions.
Station 1 · Office · Guesthouses
Sakhalvasho
A small village just north of Batumi, on the hill close to Makhinjauri. Most volunteer residences and guesthouses are here, and our office is located in the middle of the village near the school. All within walking distance of the watchpoint.
Station 2 · Guesthouses
Shuamta
Our second count station, a little further inland near Shuamta (Chaisubani). A few guesthouses are available here too. BRC runs a regular bus from Sakhalvasho to this station. Ask the day before at the Sakhalvasho station about seats and timing.
Looking for somewhere to stay? See guesthouses in the bottleneck.
BRC shuttle
A lift for volunteers
A drive to the project can be arranged beforehand for BRC volunteers (not for free). Just let us know when and where you will arrive and a regular BRC driver will pick you up. Common pick-up places are Batumi airport, the Batumi International Bus station, and the square in front of Makhinjauri train station.
Coming by car
Driving up to Sakhalvasho
From Batumi, take the main coastal road north (direction Kobuleti & Poti). Continue past Makhinjauri and, just after the tunnel, take the first road on the right that climbs uphill, next to the Sakhalvasho and Raptor watchpoint sign. Follow the road up to the school, turn right, and keep following the signs to the raptor watchpoint.
Flights & public transport
Getting to Batumi
From direct flights to scenic overland or overseas trips, there are many ways to get to Batumi. Fares and routes change from year to year, so treat the notes below as a starting point and check current options for yourself.
By air
Batumi (closest) Kutaisi (often cheaper) Tbilisi (widest choice)
By air
Three airports serve the region. Batumi is the closest, around 30 minutes by car from Sakhalvasho. Kutaisi is a little further but often has cheaper, low-cost connections. Tbilisi, the capital, usually has the widest choice of international flights, though it is furthest away (roughly 5 to 6 hours on to Batumi). From Kutaisi or Tbilisi, onward buses and trains run to Batumi (see below).
Fares vary a lot depending on where you fly from and when you book, so it pays to compare across dates and all three airports on a flight search engine such as Kayak or Skyscanner.
Students can get a discount on Turkish Airlines flights through their student programme.
Onward by train or bus
Train is safest METRO Georgia buses
Onward by train or bus
If you arrive in Kutaisi or Tbilisi, you can continue to Batumi by train or bus.
Trains are great to travel within Georgia. Check Georgian Railways for the schedule, or book through tkt.ge. Batumi is a popular destination, so buy tickets well in advance; you may need to create an account first.
For buses, METRO Georgia runs comfortable, affordable services to Batumi. Cheaper minibuses (marshrutkas) also run, but they drive fast with few stops, so given road safety we recommend the train or a scheduled bus wherever you can.
Overland via Turkey
Greener By bus
Overland via Turkey
Travelling overland through Turkey is a rewarding, lower-carbon alternative. You can reach Batumi by bus from Istanbul (a long but comfortable trip) or, more quickly, from Trabzon in the north-east, crossing the land border on foot at Sarpi.
Bring some local currency for tickets and border crossings, and keep a close eye on your luggage at bus stations. For the Georgian legs of the journey, METRO Georgia is a reliable operator.
Alternative & greener travel
Car · bike Boat · train
Alternative & greener travel
Flying is the most straightforward option, but not the greenest. Some visitors come by car, bicycle, or even boat: cargo ferries reach Batumi from Varna (Bulgaria) and Odessa (Ukraine), an interesting if pricey experience.
Need some inspiration? Past visitors have made the trip in style: one team drove all the way in a simple car journey, and our French coordinators Simon and Maël cycled to Batumi in 2011.
Good to know
Practicalities
A few practical things to sort out before and during your stay.
Surroundings & shopping
Sakhalvasho is a small maze of trails bordered by lush gardens and typical two-storey houses with porches, normally quiet and peaceful. For anything you can't get in the village, Batumi is a full-sized city just down the coast where you'll find pretty much everything. Closer by, Makhinjauri covers the basics, including a drug store and an ATM, and the BRC bus for station 2 heads to Chakvi most evenings after the count.
Money
Georgian lari can be ordered from your bank at home, but it's far easier to withdraw from an ATM once in Georgia (locally called "money from the wall"). Dollars are sometimes accepted. Take care not to use a brand-new card for the very first time in Georgia.
Visa
Depending on your country, you may need a visa for Georgia. Request up-to-date information from the Georgian embassy in your country before you travel.
A warning about medicines
If you are under medical treatment, check that the medicines you bring are permitted in Georgia. Some medicines common in Europe, for instance those containing codeine, are forbidden. Contact the Georgian embassy in your country for the list of forbidden medicines and the procedure to follow.
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
Guesthouses
Stay with local families right beside the count stations to support ecotourism and conservation.
Read more
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How to get to us
Flights, trains, buses and directions to Batumi and the watch sites in the bottleneck.