Dana Nature Reserve
Dana Nature Reserve (308 square kms) is a world of natural treasures. It is composed of a chain of valleys and mountains, which extend from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. The beauty of the Rummana mountain, the mystery of the ancient archaeological ruins of Feinan, the timeless serenity of Dana village and the grandeur of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana will awe the visitor to this area.
Wildlife
The Reserve contains a remarkable diversity of landscapes that range from wooded highlands to rocky slopes, and from gravel plains to dunes of sand. Moreover, Dana supports diverse wildlife, which includes a variety of rare species of plants and animals; Dana is home to about 703 species of plants, 38 species of mammals and 215 species of birds.
People with Charm & History
he Dana village area, which overlooks the scenic Wadi Dana, has witnessed human settlement since about 4000 BC (6,000 years ago!). Evidence unveiled by archaeological exploration shows that Paleolithic, Egyptian, Nabataean and Roman civilisations were drawn to the area by the fertility of the soil, the water springs and the strategic location. The people who inhabit Dana village today are the Al-Ata'teh tribe. They settled and built the village during Ottoman times about 400 years ago.
Services for Visitors
Visitors will find a range of services available at the reserve, including a Guest House, a Nature Shop and a Visitors' Centre at the Dana village. Brief information will be given to the visitors at the Tower entrance. Available are two campsites at Rummana and Feinan areas and an assortment of hiking trails. Rangers offer a variety of guided hikes to key locations in the reserve.
Dana Centre
The Dana Centre is a complex of buildings located at the edge of the village. The centre is made up of three parts: the Dana Guest House, the Dana Nature Shop and the Visitors' Centre.
Dana Guest House
Perched on the edge of Wadi Dana, the Guest House offers a breathtaking view of the reserve. It contains nine comfortably furnished bedrooms with private terraces, and good facilities for meetings and conferences. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Nature Shop
The Dana Nature Shop sells organically grown produce from the village gardens, in addition to silver jewellery and pottery crafted by the women of Dana village.
Dana Visitors' Centre
The centre provides information about Dana and the RSCN.
Facilities for Camping
Rummana Campsite:
The Rummana Campsite can accommodate 60 persons per day and 75 persons for a daily visit. It is open for overnight visitors from 1st March to 31st October.
The campsite contains 20 large tents, barbecue grills, toilets and showers for visitor use. Each tent comes equipped with mattresses and pillows. Drinking water is available, gas cookers may be rented and catering services can be provided for groups of six or more.
Camping is not permitted outside the designated camping area.
Feinan Campsite:
This campsite is simpler by comparison to the Rummana camp. The capacity of this camp is 40 visitors per night. The campsite contains a kitchen, 10 tents, toilets and showers. Each tent is equipped with mattresses and pillows. Drinking water is also available. Feinan Campsite is open year round.
Getting there:
Dana Reserve is located near the scenic King's Highway, from Amman though Dana is much faster to reach via Desert Highway. Short after the village of Husayniya, leave the Desert Highway before the bridge and turn right on a road leading to the King's Highway. After about 22 km pass the cement factory of Rashadiya on your left and you reach the junction with the King's Highway.
To the Tower Centre/Rummana:
At the junction turn right and follow the signs to the Tower entrance.
To Dana Centre:
Make a left turn at the junction and drive on the King's Highway, pass by the first houses of Qadisiya and turn right following the signs to Dana village.
Access to Feinan:
Access to Feinan is possible from the village of Greigra (on some maps Qurayqira) via a 4WD vehicle. Greigra is connected to the Dead Sea-Aqaba highway by an asphalt road (3 hours from Amman, 2 hours from Aqaba).
Access to Feinan is possible from the village of Greigra (on some maps Qurayqira) via a 4WD vehicle. Greigra is connected to the Dead Sea-Aqaba highway by an asphalt road (3 hours from Amman, 2 hours from Aqaba).
Feinan can also be reached by a four to five hour hike from Dana village.
Dana Nature Reserve contains a remarkable diversity of landscapes that range from wooded highlands to rocky slopes and from gravel plains to dunes of sand. Moreover, Dana supports diverse wildlife which includes a variety of rare species of plants and animals; Dana is home to about 600 species of plants, 37 species of mammals, and 190 species of birds.
Dana Nature Reserve (308 square km) is a world of natural treasures. It is composed of a chain of valleys and mountains which extend from the top of the Jordan Rift Valley down to the desert lowlands of Wadi Araba. The visitor to this area will be awed by the beauty of the Rummana mountain, the mystery of the ancient archaeological ruins of Feinan, the timeless serenity of Dana Village, and the grandeur of the red and white sandstone cliffs of Wadi Dana.
People with Charm & History
The Dana Village area, which overlooks the scenic Wadi Dana, has witnessed human settlement since about 4000 BC. Evidence unveiled by archaeological exploration shows that Paleolithic, Egyptian, Nabataean and Roman civilizations were drawn to the area by the fertility of the soil, the water springs and the strategic location.
The people who inhabit Dana Village today are the "Al Ata'ata" tribe. They settled and built the village during Ottoman times about 400 years ago.
Services for Visitors
Visitors will find a range of services available at the reserve, including a Guest House at the Dana Village, interpretation information at the Tower Entrance, a campsite at Rummana and Feinan areas, an assortment of hiking trails, a Nature Shop, and a Visitor's Center at the Dana Village. Rangers offer a variety of guided hikes to key locations in the reserve.
Dana Guest House
Perched on the edge of Wadi Dana, the Guest House offers a breathtaking view of the reserve. It contains nine comfortably furnished bedrooms with private terraces, and good facilities for meetings and conferences.
Nature Shop
The Dana Nature Shop sells organically grown produce from the village terrace gardens, in addition to silver jewelry and pottery crafted by the women of Dana Village.
Facilities for Camping
1) Rummana Campsite:
The Rummana Campsite can accommodate 60 persons per day and 75 persons for a daily visit. It is open for overnight visitors from March 1st to October 31st.
The campsite contains 20 large tents, bathrooms and barbecue grills for visitor use. Each tent comes equipped with mattresses and pillows. Drinking water is available, gas cookers may be rented and catering services can be provided for groups of six or more.
2) Feinan Campsite:
This campsite is simpler by comparison to the Rummana camp. The capacity of this camp is 40 visitors per night. The campsite, which is open year round, contains a kitchen, 10 tents, and bathrooms. Each tent is equipped with mattresses, blankets and pillows. Drinking water is also available.
