As of current, Pakistan has 157 protected areas that are recognized by IUCN. They include national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, game reserves, wetlands, forests and reserved marine lands.

Here is a list of most beautiful nature reserves and sanctuaries of Pakistan.

1. Central Karakoram National Park – It features some of the world’s largest glaciers, mountains, resources, biodiversity and natural beauty.

2. Ayubia National Park – Located in Abbottabad District, the nature reserve harbors hundreds of species of flowers and birds. It has many beautiful tracks, panoramas and four mini-resorts.

3. Margalla Hills National Park – The park is found at the foothills of Himalayas in Islamabad. It has the Margalla Hills, the Rawal Lake, and Shakarparian Sports and Cultural complex.

4. Hazarganji-Chiltan National Park – Found in Quetta, the park is in the midst of the Sulaiman Mountains range featuring deserts, forests and unique wildlife.

5. Hingol National Park – Covering an area of 1,650 square kilometers, Hingol is the largest National Park in Pakistan.

6. Deosai National Park – The beautiful reserve is located in Astore Valley. It is home to Deosai Plateau, the second highest plateau in the world. The park was founded to protect the Himalayan brown bear.

7. Khunjerab National Park – The reserve was established in order to protect the Marco Polo sheep, Snow Leopards and Bharal.

8. Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park – Flourishing with blossoming flowers, shrubs and kinds of fauna, the park is in Kaghan Valley.

9. Machiara National Park – It is a game reserve located in the Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir.

10. Lal Suhanra National Park – Situated in Bahawalpur and known for its variety of landscapes, it is one of the largest nationals parks in South Asia.

11. Saiful Muluk National Park – The park is notable for its alpine valley and Lake Saiful Muluk.

12. Toli Pir – It is a hilltop park in Azad Kashmir known for its mountainous ridges, scenic points and rest houses.

13. Kirthar National Park – Located in Sindh, the park has diverse wildlife including leopards, striped hyenas, wolves, chinkara gazelles and Blackbuck antelopes.

14. Panjal Mastan National Park – Situated at Bagh Valley of Azad-Kashmir, Panjal Mastan is notable for its sweeps of flowers and rich wildlife.

15. Chitral Gol National Park – Located right beside Chitral River, the park comprises of three valleys, glaciers, springs, cedar trees and diverse groups of animals, particularly Markhor.

16. Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary – Harboring nature’s richest ecosystem, it is one of the five famous eco-ranges of Pakistan.

17. Hub Dam Wildlife Sanctuary – It is the third largest dam in Pakistan surrounded by stony hills, bays and tiny islands.

Wherever you decide to go first, don’t forget to take your camera!