What is Dana Biosphere Reserve
Dana stretches over 320 square kilometres in south-central Jordan, dropping from the 1,500-metre sandstone plateau of Dana village down through spectacular canyon landscapes to the Wadi Araba desert floor. The altitude range supports four distinct bio-climatic zones and over 800 plant species — a rare ecological transition found almost nowhere else in the region.
Established as a reserve in 1989 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN), Dana is home to over 190 bird species, 37 mammal species including the endangered sand cat and Nubian ibex, and reptiles, insects and plants found nowhere else on Earth.
Trails and hiking
The flagship experience is the Dana to Feynan Trail: a two-day, 14-kilometre guided walk descending from the sandstone cliffs of Dana village through increasingly arid landscapes to the copper-mining ruins of Feynan. The trail requires a night in a simple Bedouin camp at Nawatef — isolated, starlit and extraordinary.
Shorter trails from Dana village suit day visitors: the Rummana Mountain Trail (6 km loop) passes juniper trees, wild herbs and panoramic canyon views. The White Dome Trail takes 2–3 hours and reaches a sandstone formation that glows amber at golden hour.
Where to stay
Dana Guest House, operated by the RSCN, perches at the edge of Dana village with stone-built rooms and a terrace overlooking the canyon. It is simple, clean and the only accommodation in the village itself.
Feynan Ecolodge at the valley floor is one of the finest ecolodges in the Middle East — solar-powered, candlelit at night, with a resident chef cooking Bedouin meals. It runs entirely on renewable energy and has won multiple sustainable tourism awards. Booking well in advance is essential.
Getting there and planning
Dana village is around 3 hours south of Amman, near the town of Tafila. The road is scenic but requires a private vehicle or transfer — there is no public transport to the village. Most visitors combine Dana with Petra (90 minutes further south) on a southern Jordan itinerary.
The reserve is open year-round but spring (March–May) is the finest season — wildflowers carpet the plateau, migratory birds are passing through, and the temperatures are ideal for hiking. Al Maqsad can arrange private transfers and coordinate bookings at Dana Guest House and Feynan Ecolodge.
