It is the largest and oldest in the territory of specially protected natural area in the Caucasus, having been created in 1924 as the Caucasian Bison Reserve.

It is bounded on the south by Sochi National Park and the ridge of the Caucasus bordering on the Georgia (Abkhazia).

In the Caucasus Reserve, however, the high range of altitudes leads to severe tundra climate at the highest elevations.

The plant life of the reserve is characterized by high biodiversity, reflecting the position of the site at the meeting point of several floral zones (temperate and sub-tropical) and with the widest range of altitude zones (from forested river valleys to mountain top tundra).

There are several 'ecotourist' routes in the reserve, however, that are open to the public, but require permits to be obtained in advance.