In short: Sataplia is a compact nature reserve on a hill about 10 km from Kutaisi, in western Georgia [1]. In a couple of hours on easy paths you see dinosaur footprints preserved in limestone, walk through a lit karst cave about 900 m long, cross a patch of Colchic forest and step onto a glass viewing platform over the Imereti plain [1][2]. It works well for families, as a rain option when the canyons close, and as a pair with Prometheus Cave on the same day.
The reserve
Sataplia was set up in 1935 to protect newly found geological and archaeological sites, and extended to its present borders in 1957 [1]. It covers about 350 hectares, almost all of it forest, around the crater of an extinct volcano [1]. The name means "place of honey", from the Georgian tapli: local people once collected honey from wild bees nesting in the rocks [1]. The reserve sits by the village of Banoja, in Tskaltubo municipality, and is run by Georgia's Agency of Protected Areas [2].
The dinosaur footprints
In 1933 Petre Chabukiani, a teacher and naturalist from Kutaisi, found fossil footprints on Sataplia hill [3]. They were pressed into what was then soft sediment and is now Lower Cretaceous limestone, so they are well over 100 million years old [3]. Later studies counted well over a hundred prints across two layers, though counts differ over the decades, since some have eroded [3].
Today the prints are protected inside a covered gallery, and a small museum and dinosaur models along the paths explain what made them [2][4]. Children usually love it, and the tracks are easy to make out.
The cave
Sataplia's largest cave is about 900 m long and was discovered in 1925 [1]. Since 2010–2011 it has had lighting and safe paved paths [1]. It is smaller and quicker to see than Prometheus Cave, with lit stalactites and stalagmites and an underground stream [4], and the route is short enough for younger children. It is cool inside all year, so bring a light layer even in summer. The paths are damp in places; wear shoes with grip.
The forest and the glass viewpoint
Between the sights the trail runs through Colchic forest, the humid, ancient broadleaf woodland typical of western Georgia. The reserve's regular residents include jackals, foxes, squirrels, martens and badgers, though you are unlikely to see them on a busy day [1].
At the edge of the cliff, a glass viewing platform juts out over the drop, with views across the plain towards Kutaisi [1][2]. It closes in rain and snow for safety [2]. If heights bother you, the view from the railing is almost as good.
Tickets and practical details
- Ticket: 30 GEL for foreign adults, 5.50 GEL for ages 6–18, and free under 6, on the Agency of Protected Areas' current tariff [2]. The ticket includes a guided walk, with English among the languages offered [2].
- Combined tickets: since April 2026 the Agency has sold combined tickets for several of its sites, including one for Prometheus, Sataplia and Navenakhevi caves [5]. Ask at the first ticket office.
- Hours: the Agency lists it as open every day, all year [2]. Some older sources say it closes on Mondays, so check before planning a Monday visit.
- Time: about 1.5–2 hours for the whole circuit at an easy pace.
- Walking: paved paths and steps; manageable for most people, but not for wheelchairs inside the cave.
Combining Sataplia with Prometheus Cave
Prometheus Cave, near Tskaltubo, is the bigger, more dramatic cave: longer walkways through large lit halls, and an underground boat ride when the water level allows. Sataplia and Prometheus are close to each other and to Kutaisi, so one morning and one afternoon fit comfortably in a single day, with lunch between. If you are only choosing one cave, choose Prometheus for scale and Sataplia for the footprints and a shorter visit with children.
Other pairings from Kutaisi:
- Martvili and Okatse canyons: the classic canyon day. Okatse closes in rain and snow, and Sataplia is the natural substitute. See our Kutaisi caves and canyons day trip guide.
- Gelati Monastery: Kutaisi's only UNESCO World Heritage site, on the other side of town; see our Gelati guide.
- Kutaisi itself: the market, the old centre and the river; see our Kutaisi city guide.
When to go
- All year: the cave and footprints are indoors or sheltered, so Sataplia works in any season, which makes it a good winter and wet-day choice.
- Spring and autumn: the forest is at its greenest in spring and colourful in October.
- Summer: busy at midday with day-trippers; arrive at opening time.
- Rain: everything but the glass platform stays open.
Who it suits
Families with children of any age, travellers who have a spare half day in Kutaisi, and anyone whose canyon plans are rained off. If you have already seen big caves elsewhere and dinosaurs don't excite you, spend the time at Gelati instead.
Seeing Sataplia with us
Our tours are private. The Prometheus Cave and Martvili Canyon day trip from Kutaisi visits Martvili, Okatse and Prometheus, and switches to Sataplia when Okatse is closed; ask when you book and we can swap Sataplia in by choice, or add it on a relaxed second day with Gelati. The Western Georgia and Black Sea tour spends its first night in Kutaisi after Prometheus Cave; ask and we fit Sataplia in if time allows. See each tour page for the current price, or plan your own Kutaisi days and we send a private itinerary with a price. Nothing to pay now.
Sources
- Wikipedia, "Sataplia Strict Nature Reserve": en.wikipedia.org
- Agency of Protected Areas of Georgia, "Sataplia: services and tariffs": apa.gov.ge
- Kutaisi Travel, "Satapliasaurus, or three discoveries by Petre Chabukiani": kutaisi.travel
- Atlas Obscura, "Sataplia Nature Reserve": atlasobscura.com
- Gogex, "From April 1, the Agency of Protected Areas will offer a combined ticket system" (February 2026): gogex.ge
Last checked: September 2026. Ticket prices were raised in 2026 and may change again; check the Agency's page before you go.
