Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
»
»A Sinai agama (lizard), whose brilliant turquoise livery demanded a second look
»
»The same encouraging couple returning on the donkey saying 'Funduq - only five minutes'
»
»The sampling of delicious cool water and superb vegetarian food at Feynan Ecolodge
So is it worthwhile? Without doubt! Chances are that even in peak season you'll have the reserve to yourself.
Anyone who has hiked main trails in other popularly visited destinations will know what a treat that is.
Information
The
visitor centre
( 2270497;
www.rscn.org.jo
;
8am-3pm)
in the guesthouse com-
plex in Dana village includes an
RSCN shop
, nature exhibits, craft workshops (closed by
3.30pm) and a food-drying centre for making organic food. This is also the place to obtain
further information about the reserve and its hiking trails, and to arrange a guide. Rangers
at the centre are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and friendly, and you sense a genuine com-
mitment to the cause.
Spare 10 minutes for the wonderful little
museum
(visitor centre)
that illustrates the
various wildlife at 1500m on the King's Highway, at 1100m at Dana Village and 50m be-
low sea level in Wadi Araba. It also explains the peculiar challenges to the ecosystem in a
reserve that experiences 350mm of rain per year in winter on the mountaintops, and soar-
ing desert temperatures and 10mm of rain per year at sea level.
Guides are available (and compulsory on some hiking and cycling trails) to give visitors
a deeper understanding of the reserve. They cost (for a minimum of four people) JD10 per
person for up to two hours; JD13 for three to four hours, JD16 for five to six hours. It
costs JD16 per person for a guide for a full day (for a minimum of 10 people).
See the Directory (
Click here
)
for a voluntary work opportunity.
Getting There & Away
The easiest way to get to Dana by public transport is from Tafila. Minibuses run every
hour or so between Tafila and Qadsiyya (JD1, 30 minutes). The turn-off to Dana village is
1km north of Qadsiyya; from here it's a steep 2.8km downhill walk to Dana village
(there's no bus). Alternatively, you can take a private car with one of the locals in Qad-
siyya for JD4. Heading out of Dana, ask around at the hotels for a ride as you won't want
to walk back up that hill. There are three daily buses to Amman (JD3, three hours); the
first bus leaves Qadsiyya between 6am and 7am.
