Kavir National Park is one of the largest and oldest protected areas in Iran. A significant portion of it is located in Garmsar County, Semnan Province, with smaller sections extending into the provinces of Tehran, Qom, and Isfahan. This expansive region covers approximately 670,000 hectares (6,700 square kilometers), of which 420,000 hectares are designated as a national park and 250,000 hectares as a protected area.
Historically, the wildlife in this region was so diverse and abundant that it earned the nicknames "Little Africa" and "Iran's Serengeti." Although the richness of its wildlife has diminished over time, the park still hosts a wide variety of desert-dwelling animals and plants native to Iran. This biodiversity is one of the reasons why Kavir National Park is recognized as one of the nine biosphere reserves in Iran.
Since 1964, the area has been under the protection of the Iran Hunting Department, and later, it came under the supervision of the Department of Environment. In 1976, it was elevated to the status of a national park, reflecting its increased conservation importance.
Kavir National Park is unique in Iran as it reportedly has no human settlements, mining activities, or livestock grazing permits, according to the Department of Environment. The park is also home to several springs and streams, including the Sefidab Spring near the Sefidab ranger station, the Salt Waterfall Spring near Malekabad, and the Siahkuh Spring near the Siahkuh ranger station.
The park's landscape is characterized by its arid and semi-arid climate, with various natural features such as salt flats, sand dunes, and rocky outcrops. These diverse habitats support a range of wildlife, including species that are adapted to the harsh desert environment. Visitors to the park can experience the unique beauty of Iran's desert ecosystem and the efforts being made to preserve it for future generations.
