Irbid Governorate: The Green North
Green oak tree forests, lakes, blue waterfalls, and historical relics. It’s not the first scene that comes into mind when thinking of Jordan. But you may expect this in the Irbid Governorate in northwestern Jordan.
Tafileh Governorate:
From dry deserts to cool mountaintops, Tafileh Governorate is a true discovery. Located about 180 km southwest of Jordan’s capital Amman, this region is home to the unique Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve.
Tafileh Governorate at a glance
Destination in the northwest with Yarmouk Forest Reserve, Barqash Forest, Wadi al Shallala, Wadi al Arab, and Umm Qais Archeological site.
Destination with Jordan’s largest Dana Biosphere Reserve – impressive mountains, wadis, and wildlife viewing opportunities.
Hiking – numerous small and a few longer trails in Dana Biosphere Reserve, including the Jordan Trail.
Cycling – Jordan Bike Trail, Dana reserve trails, trails crossing Archeological sites, and one of the oldest copper mines in the world.
Canyoning and climbing at Wadi al Hasa and Wadi Ghweir.
Cycling – Jordan Bike Trail, Dana reserve trails, trails crossing Archeological sites, and one of the oldest copper mines in the world.
Birdwatching: The Dana Biosphere Reserve is home to 190 bird species.
Experience the Bedouin lifestyle at Feynan Ecolodge and Dana village.
Local experiences: Tour to the ancient copper mines, cooking workshops, learn how to make kohl (Bedouin eyeliner), goat-hair weaving.
Natural desert wonders
Afra Hot Springs and Burbeita Hot Springs are natural desert wonders that should not be missed in the Tafileh Governorate, especially if you are looking for a refreshing bath during your stay in these desert parts of Tafileh. That same desert is home to the Bedouin. You can experience the Bedouin lifestyle in an ultra-sustainable way at Feynan Ecolodge.
For hiking, trekking, camping, and other adventurous things to do in Tafileh, you can head to either Wadi Ghuweir or the Dana Biosphere Reserve. Dana is Jordan’s largest nature reserve, covering some 320 square kilometers of spectacular mountains and Wadis along the face of the Great Rift Valley.
With its fertile earth and cool mountaintops, the Dana Biosphere Reserve is home to a great variety of wildlife. You’ll find plants and animals indigenous to deserts, Mediterranean forests, and even to the dry plains of Russia.
“700 plant species, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species, and 36 reptile species have been recorded in the Dana Biosphere”
Global importance
Dana is truly a melting pot of species from three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia. Such a combination of natural communities in a single area is unique in Jordan, and many of Dana’s animals and plants are very rare. So far, a total of 700 plant species, 190 bird species, 37 mammal species, and 36 reptile species have been recorded in the Reserve, of which 25 are known to be endangered, including the Sand Cat, the Syrian Wolf, the Lesser Kestrel, and the Spiny Tailed Lizard. Without special care, some of these could disappear from Earth forever, making the Dana Biosphere Reserve a place of global importance.
You’ll also find Dana Village overlooking the scenic Wadi Dana in this Reserve. Archeological evidence indicates that Paleolithic, Egyptian, Nabatean, and Roman civilizations were drawn to the area by the fertile soil, water springs, and strategic location.
Edomites
Historically, the Tafileh Governorate was dominated by the Edomites up to the 11th century BC, with the town of Bussaira serving as the capital during Edom Rule. The Khirbet ed Dharih Archeological Site is amongst the top historical places to visit in Tafilah. It tells the story of the Nabatean people, the same people who built Petra at about an hour and a half drive from the Dana Biosphere Reserve. The Khirbet ed Dharih Archeological Site is a definite highlight of the Tafileh Governorate. You may also want to visit the Sela’ Castle and Feynan Heritage Museum if history is your thing.
“Dana Village overlooking the scenic Wadi Dana in this Reserve. Archeological evidence indicates the presence of Paleolithic, Egyptian, Nabatean, and Roman civilizations”
The spectacular landscape of the Feynan area and the communities that live within it host an extraordinary history. Feynan is home to some of humanity’s first communities. It is one of the oldest and most important centers of sustained copper exploitation in the ancient world and one of the best-preserved.
Jordan in images
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Tafileh Governorate: Home of the Dana Biosphere Reserve
From dry deserts to cool mountaintops, the Tafileh Governorate is a true discovery. Located about 180 km southwest of Jordan’s capital Amman, this region is home to the unique Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan’s largest nature reserve.