Mongolia is one of the least densely populated countries on Earth, and its grasslands, mountains and deserts form one of the largest intact ecosystems in Asia. It is where the world’s only truly wild horse was returned to the wild, and it holds snow leopards, argali sheep, gazelles and huge numbers of raptors.
At a glance
| Best time | June to September for steppe and birds; October to March for snow leopards |
| Getting there | Fly to Ulaanbaatar |
| Time needed | 10 to 16 days |
| Big draws | Przewalski’s horses, snow leopards, raptors, landscapes, nomadic culture |
| Good for | Adventurous travellers, birders, photographers |
Przewalski’s horse
- The Przewalski’s horse, or takhi, became extinct in the wild in the 1960s. Horses bred in zoos were reintroduced to Mongolia in the 1990s, and today several hundred roam free. See our Przewalski’s horse profile.
- Hustai National Park, about 100 km from Ulaanbaatar, is the easiest place to see them, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Other reintroduction sites include Khomiin Tal and the Great Gobi B Strictly Protected Area.
Snow leopards
- Mongolia holds one of the largest snow leopard populations in the world, living in the Altai Mountains and the mountains of the Gobi. See our snow leopard profile.
- Specialist trips to areas such as the Tost Mountains or the Altai use local trackers and camera traps. Sightings are possible but require patience and cold-weather endurance.
Other wildlife
- Argali: the world’s largest wild sheep.
- Mongolian gazelles: huge herds migrate across the eastern steppe.
- Saiga antelope: a small population of the Mongolian subspecies survives in the west. See our saiga profile.
- Gobi bear: one of the rarest bears in the world, with only a few dozen left in the Great Gobi A reserve.
- Wild Bactrian camels: critically endangered, in the Great Gobi reserves. See our Bactrian camel profile.
- Birds: steppe eagles, cinereous vultures, saker falcons, demoiselle cranes, and wetland birds such as swan geese and relict gulls.
Eagle hunters
In the western Bayan-Ölgii province, Kazakh eagle hunters train golden eagles to hunt foxes. The Golden Eagle Festival, held in early October, is a famous cultural event. See our golden eagle profile.
When to go
- June to September: warm summer, green steppe, breeding birds and the Naadam festival (July).
- October: eagle festivals in the west; cold nights.
- Winter (November to March): snow leopard trips; extremely cold (below -30°C in places).
Travelling in Mongolia
- Distances are huge and roads are often dirt tracks; most visitors travel with a driver-guide in a 4×4 or Russian van.
- Stays are in ger (yurt) camps and with nomadic families.
- Domestic flights save time for the Gobi and the west.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I see Przewalski’s horses? In Hustai National Park near Ulaanbaatar, as well as Khomiin Tal and the Great Gobi B reserve.
Can I see snow leopards in Mongolia? Yes, on specialist expeditions in winter, though sightings are never guaranteed.
Is Mongolia good for birdwatching? Yes, especially for raptors, cranes and steppe and wetland species in spring and summer.
What is the best time to visit Mongolia? June to September for most wildlife and travel; winter for snow leopards.
Related guides
- Snow leopard expeditions in Ladakh
- Kamchatka brown bears at Kurile Lake
- Rewilding Europe
- Animal profiles: Przewalski’s horse, Snow leopard, Bactrian camel
Cover photo: Eddy23, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons