Mongolia

The World’s Best Mammalwatching

No matter where you live I can guarantee it is going to feel crowded compared to the glorious emptiness of Mongolia. The world’s most sparesely populated country might be light on human, but it is rich in mammals, with Snow Leopards, Saiga and most of the planet’s few remaining wild Bactrian Camels. A trip deep into the Gobi Desert, with Tumen and Oyunaa, is one hell of an adventure. I went in 2016. Not only have you got a good chance of seeing camels, you should also see a plethora of very cool small mammals including the superbly ridiculous Long-eared Jerboa. See more of the World’s Best Mammalwatching.

Community Reports

Mongolia, 2019: Paul Carter, 4 weeks & 46 species including Saiga, Steppe Zokor and Zaisan Mole Vole. Great report!

Mongolia, 2019: Wise Birding’s reports of two trips with species including Snow Leopard, Pallas’s Cat, Mongolian Wild Ass, and Marbled & Steppe Polecats.

Mongolia, 2019: Sandwich Bird Tours & Wildlife Tour in Mongolia, 2 weeks & 17 species including Snow Leopard and Pallas’s Cat.

Mongolia, 2019: Justin Brown, 2 weeks & species including Saiga, Camels and a Gobi Bear.

Mongolia, 2019: Willdife Tour in Mongolia, 18 days and several mammals including brilliant Snow Leopard and Pallas’s Cat viewing.

Mongolia, 2018: Munkhnast Dalannast, 3 weeks & 30 species including Marbled and Steppe Polecats and Pallas’s Cat.

Mongolia, 2018: Karl Van Ginderdeuren, with species including Pallas’s Cat and Snow Leopard.

Mongolia, 2018: Steve Firth, 2 weeks & 19 species including Marbled Polecat, Corsac Fox and a Snow Leopard.

Mongolia, 2018: Naturetrek, 12 days & 15 species including Saiga, Corsac Fox and Snow Leopard.

Hustai National Park & Toson Nature Reserve, 2018: Stuart Chapman, 6 days & 11 species including Daurian Ground Squirrel, Striped Dwarf Hamster and Mongolian Gazelle.

Mongolia, 2018: Phil Gregory, 18 days & 25 mammals including Corsac Fox, Pallas’s Cat and Argali.

Snow Leopards, 2017: Arne Secelle & Edith Verschorre, 2 weeks & 17 species including 5 Snow Leopard sightings, 3 Pallas’s Cats and a Marbled Polecat (not a Steppe Polecat it seems).

Mongolia, 2017: Phil Gregory, 18 days & 27 mammals including Campbell’s Hamster and Argali.

Mongolia, 2016: Jon Hall, 15 nights and 45 mammals including Wild Camels, Marbled & Steppe Polecats, Pallas’s Cat, 9 jerboa species including Long-eared Jerboa and 4 hamster species.

Mongolia, 2015: Richard Webb, 2 weeks and 33 mammals including Bactrian Camel, Long-eared Jerboa, Prezwalski’s Horse and a Snow Leopard.

Mongolia, 2013: John Pilgrim, 2 weeks & 33 mammals including Long-eared Jerboa, Snow Leopard, Argali, Marbled Polecat & Prezwalski’s Horse.

Mongolia, 2004: Steve Anyon-Smith, 1 month & 30 mammals.

Also See

Meriones Gebils: Taxonomy and Tails May 2020

Snow Leopards in Mongolia – RFI September 2016

Wild Camel in the Gobi October 2016

Pygmy Jerboas April 2014

Mongolia RFI: Camels and other mammals (September, 2013)