Bonyun Gorge

Bonyun Gorge is one of the must-see attractions of Bushehr Province, located in Ahram, the capital of Tangestan County. The gorge is famous for its dense vegetation, enclosed within the mountains. The area is highly important for its plant and animal species because of its weather and climate. The mountains surrounding the gorge, known as the Khayiz Mountains, are part of the Zagros range, and the highest peak in the area is called Birami. These mountains lie in the Khayiz region, southeast of Tangestan County, and cover an area of about 35,000 hectares. Bonyun Gorge has two main springs, about 1 metre deep, which supply the clear, transparent water of the river flowing through its vegetation.

Bonyun Gorge lies just south of Bonyun village, at an elevation of about 500 metres. When you look at the area from a distance, you see the gorge covered in lush green trees and enclosed by mountains. To reach the gorge, visitors must start walking from a point 200 metres below the village, near the mosque. One of the gorge's advantages and special features is its wonderful, mild climate, which is due to the vegetation and lush trees of the area. The surroundings of the gorge are far greener than you might imagine. Here you will see dense stands of trees, shrubs and bushes and a wide variety of plant species, such as wild almond, lemon trees, citrus, fig, pomegranate and tamarisk (gaz), along with terebinth (baneh), maple, cornflower, helpeh, plantain, foxtail, borage, astragalus (gavan), oleander and tall palm trees. A river full of water runs through this vegetation, its banks covered with reeds, which makes the area unique. The farther you follow the river, the more you will see beautiful green scenery of trees intertwined along the water, and all nature lovers are advised to visit it.

The weather and geographic conditions of the area not only make Bonyun Gorge exceptional for plant growth and vegetation and give people a beautiful landscape, but also allow the gorge to serve as a habitat for many animal species. According to the latest statistics, the area is home to about 20 species of mammals, 19 species of reptiles, 4 species of amphibians and 95 species of birds. In recent years, some migratory birds have also been seen arriving in the Bonyun Gorge area. This shows that the geographic conditions of the gorge also suit the migration of certain bird species. It should be noted that 22 hectares of the area have been declared a protected area, because it is rich in rare wildlife and is home to animals such as wild sheep (mouflon), ibex and wild goat, wild boar, hyena, jackal, fox, wildcat, Indian crested porcupine, leopard, monitor lizard, marten, chukar partridge, see-see partridge, eagle, turtle dove, bee-eater, sparrow, woodpecker, pigeon, eel, carp, whip snake and the dice snake (or a braided snake, ghitan).

Bonyun Gorge is in Bushehr Province, which has a hot, humid climate because it lies next to the blue waters of the Persian Gulf, so travelling to this area in summer is not recommended at all. In the cold seasons, autumn and winter, the mountainous geography of the area may also bring rain and severe cold, especially after sunset. The best time to visit Bonyun Gorge in Bushehr Province is therefore early spring. Keep in mind that the mild days of the second half of the year can also be counted on for a trip to this area.