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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.
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