Traveling to Shirvan National Park

Shirvan National Park Trip

We rented two minibuses to pick us up from Baku and take us directly INTO the park. The "INTO" emphasis is important because I believe special arrangements with SNP must be made if you want SNP to provide tours via car. The park is large and hard to navigate without any cars...if not impossible.
The rented bus from BAKU to SNP was 5 AZN per person via this contact. Please write me if you want the contact information.
Taxi from SALYAN to SNP is also 5 AZN per person.
As for a trip for kids, this might be most accessible to PCVs and kids in the south.

Working hours of SNP: 9am to 6pm. You can stay overnight on request.
Phone: 0163 611 90 and 0163 611 93
Fax: 0163 611 91

Address:
Salyan rayonu, Yenikend kendi

SNP has: A useful information center with both English and Azerbaijani language information pamphlets. Some workers have limited English. Perhaps Gila herself could help out. The information pamphlets are really nice and have a map of the park inside it.

SNP is considered special because it is home to Azerbaijan's Goitred Gazelle...and there are a ton of them around.

My personal opinion on the park:
Well, it is rather flat. And arid. But, the Azerbaijanis we were with got excited seeing the gazelles running around and these gazelles are not difficult to spot. It seems to me that a motivated PCV could definitely arrange an informational session for kids in Azerbaijani and/or English that would go beyond the education Azerbaijani kids usually receive. If a PCV were to take a small group to SNP, they could surely raise they nominal funds needed via PCPP or SPA. It costs money, but not a lot. So, it isn't exactly the most excited park in the world, but it is a worthwhile resource in country. Also, SNP is on the Caspian and there is a shoreline...but it takes car power to take you there.