| Dana Biosphere Reserve | |
 | |
| Area type | Biosphere reserve |
|---|---|
| State | Jordan |
| Region | Via regia of Jordan |
| Surface | 308 km² |
| Foundation year | 1989 |
| Institutional website | |
Dana Biosphere Reserve is a protected area located in the Via regia of Jordan.
To know
There Dana Biosphere Reserve it is the largest nature reserve in Jordan, covering over 300 km² covering all four different biogeographical zones of the Kingdom.
Geographical notes
The reserve is located 88 km south of Al-Karak.
To the east, the reserve's elevations reach 1,500m before descending through canyons and gorges to the low elevations of Wadi Araba (Wadi Dana).
When to go
The climatic conditions in the Reserve vary depending on the season and which part of the reserve you are in. Summer temperatures can vary from 17 ° C to over 40 ° C while in winter they can drop even over 12 ° C.
Background
The reserve was managed by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) since 1989.
How to get
By car
From Amman it takes about three hours and 190km to get to Dana. Starting at the 7th roundabout, take the Desert Highway (Airport Road) heading south. After approximately 165 km, you will arrive at the village of 1 Al-Husayniya. As you pass the village, you will see a bridge, and just before reaching the bridge, you will see signs for the reserve and Qadisiya village. Turn right at the exit. This road leads to the village of Dana. Up this link you will find the map of the routes to reach the various points of the reserve from Amman.
By bus
Buses are infrequent and it is best to avoid them unless you agree with the hotels for a ride and more information.
Permits / Rates
Access to the Wadi Araba hiking trail and village is free. Some visitors have paid a conservation fee of 8.50 JD for trips to the Dana Nature Reserve, but this cannot be verified from the associated website.
The traceable nature reserve at Feynan Ecolodge can be done without a guide, but for anything else you must use one. Most likely your hotel and host will be happy to arrange a trek for you.
How to get around
Dana Biosphere Reserve: full screen map.
You can walk to some places from Dana village - for a while along the main road (but then you have to go up) or towards the springs and over some rocks with good viewing points. Hotels can guide you at the start of other excursions and provide guides.
What see
- 1 Dana village (The village is about 3 km from the Qadisiyyeh motorway junction). The village of Dana is located on the eastern edge of the reserve at a height of 1400 m, in this place it is sometimes cold and foggy in winter. It is spectacularly perched on a cliff overlooking the reserve. The village is partly in ruins and is being rebuilt with USAID funds. There are several small hotels and the Government (RSCN) manages Dana Hotel in the city with a few options within the reserve. Built in the Ottoman era, the village was abandoned until relatively recently. Two families remain today and the rest have been converted into tourist accommodation. Many policemen also live in Dana's village, making it very safe.
- 2 Canyons of Wadi Araba.
What to do
The visit to the reserve can preferably be done with official guides. Below we report the official routes that can be consulted here:
- White dome path (White Dome Trail).
from March 15th to October 31st, 08:00 am. This trail follows the Wadi Dana escarpment between Campo Rummana and Dana village. The trail offers stunning views of the Wadi. It takes 3-4 hours. - Nawatef path (Nawatef Trail). 08:00-15:00. This circular route starts from the Al-Barrah area to the ancient ruins of Nawatef. It takes 2 hours.
- Shaq al Reesh path (Shaq al Reesh Trail). 08:00. This circular route goes from Al-Barrah to Shaq al Reesh. It takes 4-5 hours.
- Wadi Dana path (Wadi Dana Trail). 08:00. Linear route passing through the gorges, from Feynan to Camp Rummana. It takes 5-7 hours.
- Wadi Ghweir path (Wadi Ghweir Trail). 06:30. Along the river bed of the Wadi, at the entrance to Wadi Ghweir until you reach the Feynan Ecolodge. 7-8 hours of walking.
- Wadi Dathneh path (Wadi Dathneh Trail). 06:30. This track descends through Wadi Dathneh and passes through Wadi al Hamra in the Feynan area. It takes 8-10 hours.
from March 15th to October 31st, 08:00 am. This trail follows the Wadi Dana escarpment between Campo Rummana and Dana village. The trail offers stunning views of the Wadi. It takes 3-4 hours.If you want to skip driving but want to try a challenging trail, try Dana Village or Feynan Ecolodge. Make sure you have a good map and GPS with you as well.
Shopping
As there are not many of the original inhabitants left, most of the things for sale are not from the village, although it is reported that it supports Jordanian craftsmanship.
Where to eat
Each of the hotels offers meals. There is also the restaurant at the Feynan Ecolodge which offers similar dishes. In the off-season, restaurants may be closed mid-day and must be prepared with snacks (hotels can do lunch packages). However, if the owner is around, he might just open his restaurant for you, so ask.
Dinner is approximately JD 5-8 and includes vegetarian and mutton options.
The tea supply is unlimited and there is no need to go looking for it, as it will be offered frequently by whoever you are doing business with. Alcohol is prohibited in the reserve.
Where stay
- 1 Al-Nawatef Bedouin Camp (Free shuttle to Dana), ☎ 962 7 9639 2079, 962 77 7240378, 962 2270413, @[email protected].
15 JD beds with dinner and breakfast. Campsite from 10 JD.. Located 3 km from the city, overlooking the canyon. - 2 Rummana Campsite. From 100 JD. The location of the campsite is the one favored by the Bedouins, occupied every summer for grazing goats. The campsite has 20 large tents that can accommodate up to 60 people, bathrooms and a barbecue for the use of visitors. Each tent is equipped with mattresses, blankets and pillows. Traditional Arabic meals are also available upon request. Open from March 15th to October 31st. However, there have been complaints about the handling, price and authenticity of this site.
- 3 Feynan Ecolodge, ☎ 962 6 464 5580. From 133/160 JD single / double..
15 JD beds with dinner and breakfast. Campsite from 10 JD.. Located 3 km from the city, overlooking the canyon.Dana village
- 4 Dana Tower Hotel (To the right going down the village road), ☎ 962 79 5688853, 962 77 7514804, @[email protected]. 8/12/22 JD simple / single / double breakfast 3 JD, also external beds and external mattresses for 2 or 1 JD.. Offers exceptional service, wonderful buffet meals. It is a comfortable setting, with plenty of space to sit on the roof, with meals served within a Bedouin-style common area. The hotel is a group of mud houses, typical of the city.
- 5 Dana Moon Hotel (Right where the village road splits at the beginning). 10 JD for a double in the low season. Very nice and friendly host. The rooms are basic but probably a good deal.
- 6 Dana Hotel, ☎ 962 3227 0537, 962 795 597 307, @[email protected]. From 10-15 JD. Run by the local collective supported by the RSCN, it has a mix of rooms, a roof and good food (6 JD for dinner).
- 7 [link not working]Dana Guest House (going down to the left end of the village), @[email protected]. From 55-85 JD. The highest-end option in town. Most rooms have balconies with spectacular views of the reserve and canyon.
Safety
You have to be careful when walking. Ask the locals for advice or buy a guide.
Also, dogs can be a problem in this area. If they get too close, (pretend to) pick up a stone. They will remember this gesture from the last painful "experience".
How to keep in touch
Around
- 2 Tafila. a village on the way to the Dana Reserve or Petra might be worth a visit for its authenticity.
- 3 Montreal (in Arabic Shobak or Sawbak). Crusader castle built in 1115 located in the eastern part of Wadi Araba, built on the side of a conical rocky mountain. The castle is currently entrusted to the studies of an Italian archaeological team from the University of Florence.
- Madaba - known as the "City of Mosaics" for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, in particular a large mosaic map of Palestine from the Byzantine era and the Nile delta in the church of San Giorgio.
- Wadi Mujib - large nature reserve famous for its impressive canyons.
- Al-Karak - site of an ancient Crusader castle.
- Petra - the most famous site in Jordan.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Dana Biosphere Reserve
Commons contains images or other files on Dana Biosphere Reserve
