Sataplia Nature Reserve

Sataplia Nature Reserve is a karst cave complex that features Dinosaur Park along with a museum that preserves 120-million-year-old fossilized footprints of Herbivorous and Raptor dinosaurs. The complex has a 300-meter-long hiking trail along with a small underground river flowing through it. It is surrounded by tall and thick, Colchis forest. There is an observation deck made of glass that gives panoramic views of the area.

The reserve got its popularity after footprints of “Satapliasaurus” were found there by a Kutaisian teacher and naturalist, Petre Chabukiani, while he was searching for evidence of primitive man. The cave and the dinosaurs were named after Mt. Sataplia, the former wild bee habitat area, at an extinct volcano. The complex was developed over time to accommodate visitors by adding an exhibition hall with models of dinosaurs, cafes, souvenir shops, and signposted hiking trails. Colorful lights were added inside the cave to make the exploration easier.