Dana Biosphere Reserve is the biggest and most famous nature reserve in the Kingdom. Located in the south central area of Jordan in the small village of Dana, the Reserve is situated on the edge of a large natural gorge, with Wadi Dana capturing a breathtaking view over Wadi Araba. Dana is considered one of Jordan’s most valuable jewels with its stunning natural beauty that is beyond compare.
A place filled with peace and tranquility, the Dana Reserve is the perfect place to meditate, relax and get in touch with nature, as you enjoy the peace and stillness of the mountains, the star- filled skies, and the fresh clean air. The Reserve was set up by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) and is set over 308 square km, extending from the top of the Jordan Rift valley in the North, down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. Archaeological discoveries show evidence of Paleolithic, Egyptian, Nabataean and Roman presence in the area.
Dana is special in the sense that it provides visitors with a variety of landscapes; from wooded high grounds, stony hills, sand mounds and stony deserts to several kinds of flora and fauna to be explored. The native people of Dana are from the hospitable Ata’ta tribes, who have inhabited the area for the past 400 years, continuing a tradition of settlement in the area that began more than 6,000 years ago.
Dana is home to 703 species of plants, 215 species of birds, and 38 species of mammals such as Nubian ibex, Syrian serin, caracal, and lesser kestrel, many of which are endangered due to hunting and changing habitat. However many measures have been implemented to reduce and eliminate the threat.
What to see:
- The beautiful sites of the Rummana Mountain
- The ancient archaeological ruins of Feynan
- The Dana Village
- The sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana