Jordan national parks

Although Jordan is a small country of around 90,000 km², it has a great variety of wildlife. The biodiversity of Jordan, in all of its rare and beautiful forms is attributed to several factors including its geographical position. Apart from the rift valley, Jordan is mainly desert composed of either basalt or Hammada; a striking ecologically-rich ecosystem that is unique to Jordan and Syria. Furthermore, Jordan has some highly specialized habitats, the most noteworthy being the Dead Sea, in which surrounding communities are considered to be of global importance. A proposal for Wildlife Reserves in Jordan recommended the establishment of a network of protected areas based on an evaluation of ecosystems and land types.

Ajloun Forest Reserve
Ajloun Forest Reserve is 13 square kilometres of tightly forested mountains in northern Jordan. The green swathed hilltops and valleys contain more than 300 types of plant and it is home to wild boar, wolf and roe deer. There are several walking trails. Read more about Ajloun Forest Reserve

Aqaba Marine Park
Although Jordan's coastline is only 27 kilometres long, 7 kilometres have been given over to a Marine Park. Within this short stretch there are 21 dive sites and 5 beaches. Coral reefs dominate the park; over 120 species of hard coral have been identified and more than 161 species of fish. The Marine Park also has a visitor's centre. Read more about Aqaba Marine Park

Azraq Wetland Reserve
Azraq; in English it means blue and is the name for a huge oasis, deep in the heart of Jordan's Eastern Desert, an essential sanctuary for over a 150 species of migratory birds, as well as buffalo, 18 other types of mammal, 16 reptile species and the critically endangered Azraq killifish. Read more about Azraq Wetland Reserve

Mujib Reserve
Mujib is 212 km² of mountainous land, with river-cut canyons. From its heights it falls to 400m below sea level, making it the lowest nature reserve on earth. After journeying around this stunning but arid country, wading through the clear water and cool calm of the Mujib canyon, the importance and rarity of permanently flowing water is deeply apparent and easily appreciated. Read more about Mujib Reserve

Dana Reserve
Dana Reserve straddles the very edge of the Great Rift Valley. It is Jordan's largest nature reserve, covering 320 square kilometres of varying and spectacular scenery. This gives Dana an unusual wealth of different animal, insect, flora and bird life, as the altitude and topography change means the reserve spans four distinct eco-zones. Read more about Dana Reserve

Eco-guide Saleh Arfou talks about Dana Reserve "The nature itself here is rich and it attracts you. All the creatures, they invite you to love this place" [3:15]

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