Herd animals in Mongolia and where to find them

The Tavan Khoshuu Mal, or Great Five herd animals in Mongolia, include camels, horses, yaks, cows, and sheep. About 80% of Mongolia’s vast land is designated grazing territory, underlining the significance of these animals. While some of them might be perceived as common, these animals are highly adapted to the extreme climate of Mongolia.

They fulfil essential needs for nomadic families, providing food, transportation, clothing, yurt insulation, tools, and even fuel for stoves. Contrary to common belief, nomadic Mongolians primarily consume dairy products from these animals, alongside wheat and a modest amount of meat. 

It is common for travellers in Mongolia to encounter herds of these animals but their abundance varies by region. To experience them more closely, especially camels, horses, and yaks, participating in local Mongolian festivals is recommended. These festivals offer insights into the cultural importance of these animals, providing a deeper understanding of their role in the nomadic lifestyle.

Mongolian horse

Equus ferus caballus

Mongolian nomadic culture revolves around horses, an essential element integral to daily life. Mongolia cannot be conceived without horses; the Mongol Empire itself was built on horseback, emphasising the profound connection between the nomads and these animals.

Mongolian horses like the native horses in Iceland and Exmoor ponies in the UK are shorter and sturdier with longer manes than the more typical horses in the western part of the world. They are the most recognised and prestigious herd animals in Mongolian nomadic society and they are used as a measure of wealth.

These horses serve various practical purposes, such as transportation, airbag production (fermented mare’s milk), and tool crafting from their hair, and their utility extends to their skin, meat, and bones once slaughtered.

Encountering horses is a common sight in Mongolia’s grasslands, particularly in the eastern provinces of Khentii, Dornod, and Sukhbatar. Central areas of Mongolia like Uvurkhangai and Bulgan province, renowned for its nationally acclaimed airag, also host these revered animals.

Where to find horses during your travels:  Travellers may encounter horse herds in many parts of the countryside, especially Khentii, where the horse festival is held, Orkhon Valley, a very popular destination on any road trip in central Mongolia, and Bayan Olgii, for example, Altai Tavan Bodg NP.

Yak

Bos grunniens

The distinctive type of cattle found in Mongolia is the yak, often referred to as the “skirted cow.” Unlike cows, which are common in the more temperate regions, but also very common in Mongolia, Yaks are uniquely adapted to withstand extreme cold temperatures. Their longer, double-layered fur and larger lung size enable them to thrive in extreme temperature conditions. 

Their natural habitat is mountainous areas, so they are likely to be seen in the mountain ranges of western Mongolia, especially the Khangai Mountain Range. Mongolians use yaks mostly as a source of food and wool, with highly nutritious milk and wool that competes with the renowned cashmere. 

Where to find yaks during your travels: The province of Uvurkhangai, is very famous for its natural landmarks such as Khorgoo Volcano, Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake and Tsenkher Hot Springs and is one of the places to see cattle.  They can also be seen in large numbers in the Orkon Valley and Khusvgul province, around Khuvsgul Lake and Bayan Olgii province where Altai Tavan Bogd Natural Park is located. 

Sheep

The most useful of all herd animals for Mongolians, and the most prevalent (although now in high competition with goats), can be seen in most parts of the country.  Sheep are a source of food, wool and felt, used for insulation against the harsh outdoor temperatures in gers which are the traditional Mongolian dwellings.

Herders accompany sheep to pasture so they are likely seen relatively close to their owner’s ger. Summer is the shearing season because it is when it is the least cold, and travellers are likely to see shorn sheep lying around with a constant shiver, feeling the temperature shock after all of their wool has been removed. 

Where to find sheep during your travels: Practically anywhere in Mongolia, but more prevalent in the grasslands. 

Bactrian camel

Camelus bactrianus

Perhaps, the most interesting animal from the point of view of a westerner, the Bactrian camel is endemic to Mongolia and very different from more common Arabian camel or dromedary. Mongolian camels are slightly bigger than the dromedary and have two humps.

Bactrian camels look especially majestic during the winter months with their beautiful long double-layered coats. Because these animals can withstand both extreme cold and hot temperatures, they are ideal herd animals in the most arid regions of Mongolia, also commonly known as The Gobi.

Due to their physical characteristics, herders commonly use them for transportation, clothing and food. Most camels in Mongolia are domesticated, but a small portion of them still live in the wild in some protected areas. 

Where to find camels during your travels: The Gobi offers a myriad of tourist attractions, from the White Stuppa to the Flaming Cliffs and the Khongor Sand Dunes and, while driving from location to location, travellers may encounter camel herds on the side of the roads, as they freely roam throughout the day without herder supervision. 

Another safe bet is to see them while on a road trip in central Mongolia, where Kharkhorin, a city that is slowly becoming more visited, is located. Just an hour before arriving in Kharkhorin from Ulaanbaatar,  there is an area of dunes called Elsen Tasarkhai where you can see camels without driving to the Gobi Desert. 

Mongolian goat

Capra hircus

The Mongolian goat is highly valued for its coat from which cashmere comes. It is another herd animal found in many parts of Mongolia, usually alongside herds of sheep.

This herd animal has become very controversial over the years as the luxurious cashmere has seen its demand increase and, simultaneously, nomadic families have taken the opportunity to make more money. This has led to higher goat numbers, which, due to their destructive grazing habits, contribute to the ongoing desertification of the land. 

Where to find goats during your travels: Practically anywhere in Mongolia. 

Reindeer

Rangifer tarandus

Reindeer can only be seen in the taiga areas of Mongolia, north of Khusvgul Lake, where the Tsaatan People, a minority group of reindeer herders dwell. Like any other herd animal, the Tsaatan people obtain food, clothes and tools from this animal.

The only way to see reindeer herds is by booking a tour due to the difficulty of reaching the remote area where they live and also because you need a permit from the national border authority. Visiting the Tsaatan people is an intense trip that needs at the very least 7 days. In summer, it is required to ride on horseback for 3 days and there is no other way around it. 

If you visit Lake Khusvgul during summer you will likely see reindeer herders that come from the mountains into the tourist areas of the lake. Then, you could see at least one or two reindeer. 

Where to find reindeer during your travels: Khusvgul province.

These wildlife encounters were experienced by the Spanish Nomad