Ibex in Mitzpe Ramon: Where to Meet Them, How to Protect Them and What to Do After the Viewing

It is hard to imagine a visit to Mitzpe Ramon without the thrill of meeting the town's oldest and most recognisable residents, the Nubian ibex. What makes Mitzpe Ramon so special is the direct closeness between the wild nature of Makhtesh Ramon and the streets, gardens and cliff promenade where the ibex wander calmly as an inseparable part of the local scenery.

Whether you came with children excited to see males with enormous horns for the first time, or to photograph them at sunset on the cliff edge, here is everything worth knowing to enjoy meeting them, to protect their health, and to carry on from there to a great time in town.

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1. Where and When Is Best to See Ibex in Mitzpe Ramon?

The ibex of Mitzpe Ramon are free wild animals, so they keep no fixed hours, but there are a few areas and times of day when the chance of meeting them is especially high:

• The cliff promenade and the Visitors Center: The beautiful path running along the rim of the Makhtesh from the Ilan Ramon Visitors Center is the ibex's main habitat in town. In the early morning and in the late afternoon before sunset you can watch them skip lightly over the steep rocks of the cliff edge or rest facing the view.
• The public gardens and the residential streets near the cliff: During the day, herds of females and kids (and sometimes impressive males too) climb up from the cliff to the lawns and groves near the cliff line in search of shade and greenery.
• Mount Gamel and the Makhtesh lookouts: At the lookouts close to town you can meet ibex in their natural desert surroundings, especially in the quiet hours of the morning or towards evening.

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2. Love the Ibex? This Is How You Protect Their Lives

Precisely because the ibex of Mitzpe Ramon are used to people and do not run off at once, they face real danger. So that in years to come we can still see them roaming here healthy and free, keep to three simple iron rules:

• Never, ever feed the ibex: An ibex's digestive system is adapted to dry desert vegetation only. Bread, snacks, fruit, vegetables or any human food cause them serious illness and death.
• Leave no bags, wipes or food scraps behind: Ibex are curious and drawn to the smell of rustling packaging. Swallowing a plastic bag or a wet wipe blocks their digestive system and endangers their lives. Finished a picnic or a coffee facing the view? Take everything with you in a closed bag.
• Keep a respectful distance (and keep dogs on a lead): Don't approach to pet them and don't block their path. If you are walking with a dog, it must be kept on a lead everywhere along the cliff and in town, to prevent the ibex from bolting onto the road or over the edge.

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3. Finished Watching on the Cliff? What to Do Now in Town

The great advantage of watching the ibex on the cliff promenade is that several spots sit right on the rim, while the Town Center and the Spice Route Quarter are just a short drive away:

• Coffee and food right on the cliff edge: While walking the cliff promenade alongside the ibex, you can stop for coffee and pastries facing the view at Kiosk Cafe Ramona, sandwiches, coffee and ice cream at Little Ramona (both open on Saturdays too), or a full meal overlooking the crater at Ramona Kosher Restaurant. Photography and nature lovers can also book a cliffside smartphone photography workshop with Sivan Peres – Desert Photography Workshops or a desert tracking walk with Effie Perry – Desert Explorer.
• Coffee, pastries and galleries in the Spice Route Quarter: After a morning walk along the cliff, head over to the Spice Route Quarter for fresh pastries and hot coffee at Lasha, Man Desert Patisserie (home to the Sansana boutique), Cafe Gina, HaRova Café, UMA or Backstage Art Cafe. From there, visit Itzu Rimmer Gallery and Miklat 44, or join a tour with Inside Mitzpe.
• A good lunch or dinner: In the Town Center, Hummus Yona and Paco ve Nany pizzeria await alongside Sumsumyia with its generous Mediterranean menu, while in the Spice Route Quarter you can sit down at Café TZIN, BOTZ Restaurant or homestyle HaKatze.
• Art, workshops and nightlife: Between the alleys of Har Ardon and Har Boker you will find open ceramics and art studios (such as Osnat Raichman Ceramics & Maya Clay, HaKuk BaEven and Ethno Center), boutique stays such as Ibex Hotel, and in the evening a glass of wine at Midbar Wine, a draft beer at HaHavit or a live show at HaBerech Pub and Rehem.

Want to know what is open now and which events are on today in Mitzpe? After meeting the ibex on the cliff, open Meetzpe: you'll find Mitzpe Ramon's shows, workshops, classes and nightlife spots there, and can check opening hours.

Heading up to Mitzpe Ramon? Open Meetzpe now and plan your visit to town.