Dead Sea Highway - Jordan - page 245

Nature Reserves
One of the most delightful wilderness areas in Jordan, Mujib Biosphere Reserve ( Click
here ) lies just around the corner from the Dead Sea resorts. Unfortunately this is partially
why there are concerns for the long-term viability of the reserve as the water that flows
through the wadi is siphoned off to supply the demands of tourism. Whatever the future of
the reserve, for now the area offers waterfalls, canyon adventures and a chance to catch
sight of the elusive ibex.
The Dead Sea Highway also gives secondary access to the spectacular Dana Biosphere
Reserve ( Click here ) and to Dana's Feynan Ecolodge ( Click here ) - the only accommoda-
tion in Wadi Araba. The main entrance to Dana Biosphere Reserve, however, is via the
village of Dana off the King's Highway. See Click here for full coverage of the reserve.
Dangers & Annoyances
Due to the proximity of the Israel and Palestinian Territories border, there are numerous
police checkpoints in the area. Keep your passport, driver's licence, rental contract and
ruksa (car registration card) handy on any of the roads near or along the Dead Sea High-
way.
There are few petrol stations in the vicinity, and little accommodation (except at the
Dead Sea resorts and within the national parks of Wadi Mujib and Wadi Dana). It's there-
fore important you honour the desert code and fill up each time you see a petrol station or
you stand a very real chance of getting stranded.
There is very little shade at the Dead Sea or indeed anywhere along the Dead Sea High-
way so it is important to bring a hat and plenty of water, particularly in the summer when
temperatures can soar to an intolerable 50°C.
On Friday and public holidays the hotels and public areas are crowded; some will see
this as a good thing, others might find the typically Jordanian noise levels an annoyance!
Getting There & Away
The Dead Sea Highway is most easily reached by road from Amman but other access
points include Madaba, Karak and Wadi Mousa, all of which make suitable bases for ex-
ploring the region. Although the Dead Sea Highway (Hwy 65) ends in Aqaba, there's not
much to see or explore along the southern reaches of the highway and no public transport.
It's just about possible to get to the Dead Sea resorts with a frustrating and unreliable
combination of minibuses and taxis, but tours offer the most realistic way of reaching the
area.