Dana Biosphere Reserve

Dana Biosphere Reserve is an area of staggering beauty, history, and biodiversity. The only reserve in Jordan that encompasses the four different bio-geographical zones of the country (Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, Saharo-Arabian and Sudanian), it is a melting pot of species from Europe, Africa and Asia. Such a combination of natural communities in a single area is unique in Jordan and many of Dana Biosphere Reserve’s animals and plants are very rare. So far, a total of 800 plant speciesand 449 animal 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.

Activities:

Such a complex and diverse environment provides a wide range of adventurous and relaxing activities.Visitors can leave their vehicles behind and escape into the beauty and remoteness of the Reserve along one of the many canyons and hiking trails. Local Bedouin guides are available for longer excursions (hiking, canyoning, and mountain biking), while many shorter trails can be explored unguided. Activities at Dana Biosphere Reserve Guesthouse include tours of the Ottoman-era Dana Biosphere Reserve Village, a gorgeous hike through the entire Reserve to Feynan Ecolodge, visits to Nabatean tombs, and relaxing on your very own cliff-perched balcony, surrounded by Dana’s magnificent views.

Activities available from Rummana Campsite include hikes with beautiful vistas and bird watching, excursions to a Roman well, and a challenging 5-kilometer trail to Dana Biosphere Reserve Village that involves scrambling over rock faces. From Feynan Ecolodge, guests can hike or mountain bike on one of the many hikes ranging in length from 2 hours to a full day. Canyoning adventures include a trip to Wadi Ghwayr and its spectacular narrow gorge and stream. At Feynan, guests can also uncover the area’s archaeological treasures with visits to ancient copper mines, Byzantine churches, Neolithic villages and a Roman aqueduct. In the early mornings, guests challenge themselves on the Sunrise Hike, a great start to any day at Feynan. At sunset, guests are offered a complimentary sunset hike.By night, guests can be found wandering the enchanting candlelit lodge or stargazing on the rooftop terrace.