Menen Steppe

The Menen steppe (Menengiin Tal) is a vast, almost flat grassland in the east of Dornod province, west of Buir lake and close to the Chinese border. Here the horizon is unbroken in every direction, with few roads, no fences and only scattered herders' gers. In spring and autumn tens of thousands of Mongolian gazelles cross the plain, in one of the largest wildlife migrations in Asia.

The eastern grassland

The Menen steppe is part of the Mongolian-Manchurian grassland, an ecoregion of about 887,000 km² that forms a crescent around the Gobi. Feather grasses and fescue dominate. Large areas of eastern Dornod are protected; the Dornod Mongol Strictly Protected Area was set up in 1992 to protect part of this steppe. Wolves, marmots, steppe eagles and other birds of prey live here, and cranes nest in the wetlands of the region.

The gazelles

The Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa), or dzeren, is a small antelope with a total population of around 1.5 million, most of it in Mongolia. Herds of thousands are common, and in 2007 a herd of about 250,000 animals was recorded. The females give birth in June and July. The herds follow rain and fresh grass, so sightings are never guaranteed. A good local driver and patience are the key; plan at least two or three days on the steppe.

Travelling with care

Late spring and early autumn give the best chance of large herds, while summer is greener but brings most of the year's rain. Watch the animals from a distance and never chase them by car, especially in the calving season. Drive on existing tracks to avoid scarring the grassland, carry all fuel, water and food, and take your rubbish with you. Winter grass burns easily, so do not light fires on the open steppe.