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Dana Nature Reserve

Dana Nature Reserve in a nutshell Dana Nature Reserve (In a Nutshell)

Dana is Jordan’s largest nature reserve, covering some 320 square kilometers of spectacular mountains and wadis along the face of the Great Rift Valley. From scorching sand dunes in the west to cool mountain tops in the east, the Dana Biosphere Reserve is home to a great variety of wildlife.

There are plants and animals characteristic of true desert, of Mediterranean forests and of the dry plains of Russia. In fact, Dana is really a melting pot of species from three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia. Such a combination of natural communities in a single area is unique in Jordan and many of Dana’s animals and plants are very rare. So far, a total of 700 plant species, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species and 36 reptile species have been recorded in the Reserve, of which 25 are known to be endangered, including the Sand Cat, the Syrian Wolf, the Lesser Kestrel and the Spiny Tailed Lizard. Without special care, some of these could disappear from the Earth forever, which makes the Dana Biosphere Reserve a place of global importance.

The Dana Village area, overlooking the scenic Wadi Dana, has been occupied since about 4000 BC. Archaeological evidence indicates that Palaeolithic, Egyptian, Nabatean, and Roman civilisations have been drawn to the area by the fertile soil, water springs, and strategic location. Today, Dana Village is inhabited mostly by clans of the “Al Ata’ata” tribe, which settled in the area during the Ottoman period, about four hundred years ago, and built the present village. Over the years, many of the families in Dana Village have moved to the nearby village of Qadissiya, in search of better jobs, schools, and housing. The crumbling Dana Village was nearly abandoned, but thanks to the fund-raising efforts of the Friends of Dana, a dynamic women’s group in Amman, over 70 of the traditional stone housed have been restored, enabling some families to remain in the village.

Getting There

By private car to Dana Village      
From Amman, the trip to Dana takes approximately 3 hours (190km).

  • Start at the 7th circle
  • Take the desert highway (airport road) south.
  • After approximately 165 km, you will come to Al Husayniya village.
  • As you pass the village you will view a bridge.
  • Prior to reaching the bridge you will find exit signs to the Dana Biosphere Reserve and Al Qadisiya village.
  • Take a right at this exit.
  • Follow this road, which leads to Dana.

By private car to Dana Guesthouse     

Approximately 11 km from the desert highway exit you will find a sign on the left leading to Qadisiya and Dana village. Take a left then follow the road in to Qadisiya village. Towards the end of Qadisiya village, follow a sign to Dana village on your left.
    
By private car to Rummana campsite     

Approximately 22 km from the desert highway exit you will pass the Rashadiyeh cement factory on your left.
Just past the factory, you will reach a junction with the king's highway.
At the junction turn right, and follow the signs to the camp.
    
By private car to Feynan Eco Lodge     
From Amman, the trip to Feynan takes approximately 3 hours.

  • Follow the Dead Sea-Aqaba Highway until you reach the fifth army checkpoint, which lies about 290 Km from Amman.
  • Turn left at the checkpoint towards the village of Greigra and Feynan.
  • Follow the road for 10-15 minutes until you reach the outskirts of Greigra village.
  • From the village follow the signs to the reception point in the Rashaidi Village.
  • Visitors in 4x4s will be directed to the Lodge by the staff in the reception point. Others will be offered a shuttle

service using local Bedouin cars.
  
By public transportation     

Microbus from “Mahatta al Jenoub” in Amman to Tafileh and then continuation by Taxi to Rummana Camp or Dana village or Microbus directly to Qadisia village (variable departure time) or private Microbus to Dana by prior reservation. There is no public transportation to Feynan.

DO's & Don'ts;
By minimizing your impact on wildlife, you will help us to protect and preserve the sanctity of these reserves for future generations.

Please remember:

  • Stay on trail with the guide and do not wander alone in the reserve unless you are in a free access area
  • Protect all nature: no hunting or collecting of plants, animals, rocks, artifacts or fire wood; leave things as they are where you find them
  • Do not approach, threaten, or feed wildlife
  • Do not damage trees
  • Do not add graffiti on any surface within the reserve
  • Water is a scarce resource in Jordan, please conserve and keep water sources clean
  • Fire making is strictly prohibited in all reserves, except in designated barbecue pits
  • Respect nature: keep noise to minimum, be kind to living creatures.
  • Keep the area clean and take your litter away
  • Stick to designated roads while driving. Off-road motoring is both risky and damaging to the environment
  • Leave your vehicles outside the reserve
  • Smoking is allowed in smoking areas only
  • We discourage drinking alcohol in the reserves for cultural reasons and thank you for your understanding
  • Pets are not allowed inside the reserve under any circumstances