azraq wetland reserve Oasis Reborn
Reserve and Trails Guide | Map
Azraq Wetland Reserve Azraq has long been an important settlement in Jordan’s remote Eastern Desert. In fact, archaeologists say that it was one of the first sites of settlement after humans migrated out of Africa. Today, the area is home to the Bedouin, Arab Druze, and Chechens. During the Great Arab Revolt, the nearby Azraq Castle was an important headquarters for T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and his Arab counterpart, Sharif Hussein bin Ali. Unfortunately, over the past decades, the wetlands have suffered from an environmental disaster due to overuse of water from the Azraq Basin. Water levels have steadily dropped, resulting in extreme depletion and erosion of massive areas of invaluable wetland. By 1993, the oasis’ ecological value was virtually destroyed. In 1978, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) established the Azraq Wetland Reserve to conserve this unique oasis. In 1994, with international support, RSCN began a rescue effort to restore a significant portion of the wetland. Today, many of Azraq’s birds are returning and special boardwalks and bird hides have been constructed to enable visitors to safely observe and enjoy them.
Staying in Azraq Wetland Reserve Open year-round, the Azraq Lodge is a short distance from the Azraq Wetland Reserve. Originally a British military field hospital, the building was later transformed into the current lodge. There are sixteen fully-equipped 1940's style
rooms with views of the distant mud and sand flats of the Azraq Basin. The kitchen and restaurant are under the management of a a local Chechen family, providing a variety of authentic Chechen food and delights.
Azraq Handicrafts from Nature Make sure to visit the six handicraft workshops, all of which are located in Azraq Lodge:
Azraq Ostrich Egg Design Workshop
The women of Azraq hand paint beautiful designs on infertile ostrich eggs, using special carving and dotting techniques.
just the right combination of products. Whether a camera bag or a water bottle holder, Azraq bags are handmade, durable, and have our famous RSCN icons from nature to deliver our message of helping nature and helping people. The ladies at the workshop are also especially good at producing customized messenger bags for workshops and other special events.
Azraq Educational Toys Workshop
Who said learning can’t be fun? At the Educational Toys Workshop, women create a wide selection of toys which both adults and children can enjoy while simultaneously learning. Our version of Wild Monopoly is a family favorite!
Azraq Silkscreen Printing Workshop
Silkscreen printing is a stencil method of print making in which a design is imposed on a screen of silk, with blank areas coated with an impermeable substance, and ink is forced through the silk onto the printing surface. This is our way of customizing your gifts one-by-one.
Azraq Tailor Workshop
For the hip, conscience, adventurers of today we have
Azraq Recycling Workshop
We produce a wide range of recycled material for you and your business so that you can show how much you care about the world in which we live.
Azraq Packaging Workshop
We make our handmade products stand out by using our handmade packaging, created using recycled products. With no restrictions on shape or size, we will create the best package to fit your gift.
Activities
Integrated Bus & Hiking Tours Azraq Bus Tour (year-round) Guided only Grade: Easy
Distance on foot: 2 km Distance by bus: 7 km Time: 2-3 hours
Starting time: 8:30 a.m.
Marsh Trail (year-round)
Guided and self-guided Grade: Easy
Distance: 1.5 km
Time: 30 minutes 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.(winter); 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. (summer) Trail Description
This easy walking trail gives you an excellent introduction to the Azraq Wetland Reserve. The boardwalk leads you through dry and wet areas to a viewing platform overlooking the artesian pools that once released millions of cubic meters of water into the marshland. After leaving the platform, the trail takes you over an ancient black basalt wall, most likely constructed by an Umayyad Caliph. The trail then leads to a bird hide made of local mud brick where you can observe the migratory birds and perhaps catch a glimpse of the water buffalo. Follow the trail back to the Visitor Center, passing yet another part of the ancient basalt wall.
Group size: 3-7 people Trail Description
This is an easy way to explore the desert castles around the Azraq Reserve. From the Azraq Lodge, our shuttle bus will take you to the nearby Azraq Castle, which was used as a military base by T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) during the Arab Revolt. Next, travel to the Old
Druze village and learn more about the first Druze settlement in the area. From here, the tour continues on foot, hiking 2 kilometers to Ain es-Sil, a farmhouse built by the Umayyad. The bus will be waiting to take you to a local Druze home for tea and a light traditional meal before returning to the Lodge.
Biking Trails marking the easternmost point of the ancient Roman Empire. Here, the shuttle bus will wait to take you to a local home for tea and a light traditional meal before returning to the Lodge.
Usakhim Bus Tour (year-round, except during Ramadan) Guided only
Grade: Easy to Moderate Distance on foot: 5 km
Distance by bus: 40 km Time: 5-6 hours
Starting time: 8:30 a.m. Group size: 3-7 people
Azraq Mudflat Biking Trail (year-round, except during Ramadan) Guided only
Grade: Difficult
Distance: 30 km Time: 5-6 hours
Group size: 3-9 people
Trail Description From the Azraq Lodge, our shuttle bus will take you to a desert entrance to begin your hike to Wadi Usaykhim, where you will view inscriptions written by humans thousands of years ago. Continue hiking two kilometers to the top of the highest mountain, where the Usakhim fortress stands,
Trail Description The tour starts from Amra Castle and ends at the Azraq Lodge. The tour passes through the desert area that links Amra Castle and Azraq Lodge and stops by a desert well for snacks and juice, then continues to the local Azraq farms area to finally reach Azraq Lodge. On the way, visitors will learn about the nature, the history and the people living in the area.
Other Activities
Azraq Village Biking Trail
(year-round, except during Ramadan) Guided only
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Distance: 22 km Time: 4-5 hours
Group size: 3-9 people Trail Description This tour gives visitors a glimpse into the history and culture of Azraq. Starting at the Azraq Lodge, the trail passes through the Wetlands, the mudflats of al Qa’a and al Madbaa’a, the Old Druze Village, Qasr al- Shaér, the modern Azraq village, and Azraq Castle before ending at a local’s house for tea and a light meal.
At the Nature Cinema in Azraq Lodge, visitors can watch documentaries and movies about nature and history. Azraq Lodge offers a unique experience for visitors by giving them a wonderful chance of seeing the Druze dabkeh (dancing) show and to listen to the original Druze music and even to learn how to dance dabkeh themselves. This activity is available upon request and based on availability.
The Nature Shop
Browse through the Nature Shop and find truly original gifts and souvenirs. This shop contains nature crafts produced by the local people at the reserves.
Nearby SitesAttraction Points Azraq Castle
This black basalt fort has been in continuous use since Late Roman times. During the Great Arab Revolt, it served as the headquarters for T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) and Sharif Hussein Bin Ali, his Arab counterpart and the current King Abdullah's great, great-grandfather.
Qasr al Kharrana, Qasr at Tuba, Qasr al Hallabat
(12-30 km) from Azraq. All of these castles have been restored and are in excellent condition.
Qasr Amra
(8 km) west of Azraq and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of the best preserved monuments in Jordan, its interior walls and ceilings are covered with lively frescoes and two of the rooms are decorated with colorful mosaics.
These three desert castles are excellent examples of Islamic architecture during the Umayyad period (661-750 AD).
Taril Stops Azraq Lodge Castle Visitor Center Site of Interest Militray Airbase The Reserve Gate Village
Tourism Trails Azraq Bus Tour
Al Ba Wadi
Usakhim Bus Tour Azraq Mudflat Biking Trail
shrei
Azraq Village Biking Trail
ah
Main Road Secondary Road
Qa Nemer
Track Wadi
Al’naqeiah
Azraq North
Wadi Bed Open Water Humret Al Retami Reserve Boundary
Qasr al- Shaér
Azraq Castle Durze Local house Durze Old Village W ad i
Al
Ri
ta
m
Al-Madba’ah i
Al Qa’a
Reserve Back Gate
Militray Airbase
Azraq Lodge Azraq South
Jabal Owained
Azraq Wetland Reserve
Azraq Trails Map Marab Hassan
Activities Highlights Marsh Trail Wind your way through the wetlands, catching glimpses of resident and migratory birds.
Usakhim Castle a ed Be Al di Wa
Azraq Bus Tour See Azraq Castle, visit the Old Druze village, and have brunch at a local home.
Al Asfar
Usakhim Bus Tour
Ain Beida
Hike to the Usakhim fortress and see human inscriptions from thousands of years ago.
Al Marab
Azraq Mudflat Biking Trail
s i U ad W
ak
hi
m
Pass through the huge qa'a mudflat area and the Eastern desert.
Azraq Village Biking Trail
Al Dgheileh
Get a glimpse into the history and culture of the Azraq area.
The gathering point for all of the trails is Azraq Lodge. We have flexible starting times for the trails.
1.5
0.75
0
1.5
3 km
How to Get There Irbid
Ajloun Jerash Madaba Balqa’
Zarqa Abo
Salt
ut 1
Amman
00 k
mt
o Az
raq
Wa
tlan
d Re
serv
e
Azraq Wetland Reserve 5
Amman
15
20 Main City
10
0
20
40 km
Governorate Boundaries
Main Road
Ajloun
Irbid
Mafraq
Reserve Boundary
Amman
Jerash
Madaba
International Border
Balqa’
Zarqa
Karak
From Amman, the trip is 100km. Start at 7th Circle. Take the Desert Highway/Airport Road south. 7km from 7th Circle is the Na'ur/King Hussein Bridge/Amman East exit. Take the exit to Amman East and continue for 2km. Turn right at first traffic light. Continue straight to a roundabout. Continue straight for 150m and turn right. Go straight through a traffic light and take the Sahab exit. Continue for 90km and follow the signs for Azraq Wetland Reserve/Azraq Lodge.
Hiking Tips Hit trails early for the best chance of seeing wildlife and to avoid being exposed to the sun during the hottest part of the day. Stay on trails to avoid injury. To get through a heavy day’s hike, rest at regular intervals and enjoy the views. Don’t overdo it! Weather Azraq is characterized by mild winters and hot dry summers. The highest temperatures are in June to September (exceeding 40°C) and the lowest in December to February (average of 9°C). Rainfall is minimal throughout the year, averaging 62 millimeters annually. What to Bring Cap, sunscreen, comfortable shoes and clothes, drinking water, snacks, backpack, flashlight, extra clothes, binoculars, ID, wildlife guides, first aid kit. The Reserve is not responsible for the loss of any valuable belongings.
Wildlife In Azraq Wetland Reserve, the interaction of three unique habitats results in a rich diversity of wildlife. Tiny waterfleas, Great White Egrets, Baluchistan Gerbils, and even non-native Chechen water buffalo all call Azraq home. As an internationallyrecognized area for migratory birds, Azraq hosts hundreds of species each year. Visitors can observe these birds from a rustic brick and mud bird hide in the Reserve. The Azraq Wetland Reserve is the only habitat in the world for the Azraq Killifish, which is the only vertebrate that is endemic to Jordan. Restoration work has been done on its habitat, in order to protect the species from extinction. RSCNs efforts have been highly effective in this area, greatly increasing the numbers of killifish in their natural habitat.
Useful Arabic Words English Word Hi
Arabic Pronunciation
Arabic Translation
Marhaba
îòăĎŃ
Ahlan wa Sahlan
Ōē ō Ŝ ŋã Ŝ
Good morning
Sabah al Khayr Sabah al Noor
ĎŔĈĿí āîòě čŎňĿí āîòě
Good evening Response
Masa' al Khayr Masa' al Noor
ĎŔĈĿí àîĔŃ čŎňĿí àîĔŃ
(male) Shu Ismak?
ĺńēí Ŏė
Shu Ismik?
ĺńēí Ŏė
Welcome Response
What is your name? (female) My name is...
Ismi...
Œńēí
I am... fine
Ana... kwies(eh)
ĺĿîă IJŔĻ ĺ Ŀîă IJŔĻ îŇí (ó ĒœŎĻ
Please
Low Samaht
öĄńē ŎĿ
How are you? (male)
Keef Halak?
(female)
Keef Halik?
Thank you
Shukran
Response
You're welcome
Goodbye
Masalama
No I'm sorry No Problem Yes
La Asif(eh) Mafi Mushkila Aywa
íĎļė íŎĴī
ôŃŜĔĿí ĪŃ ś (ó IJēá ôŀļĘŃ Œij îŃ ʼnŎœí ĖœĊķ
How much?
Gdaish or Adaish
I need help
Bidi musaadah
óĊīîĔŃ őĊŔñ
I don't understand
Mish fahem(eh)
(ó łŋîij ĖŃ
(To describe a female, add an 'eh' at the end)
Rules and Regulations • Stay on the trails with the guide and do not wander alone in the Reserve; camp and climb only in official sites. • Protect all nature; no hunting or collecting of plants, animals, rocks, artifacts, or firewood. Leave things as you find them. • Avoid damaging trees and shrubs; do not add graffiti anywhere within the reserve. • Respect nature; keep noise to a minimum, be kind to living creatures. • Respect the lifestyle of the local people and ask before taking pictures. • Keep the area clean and deposit your litter in the appropriate place. • Leave your vehicles in the parking area.
The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and Wild Jordan Created in 1966 under the patronage of His Majesty the late King Hussein, The Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) is a non-governmental organization devoted to the conservation of Jordan's natural environment. Wild Jordan is the socio-economic development and eco-tourism division of RSCN that is dedicated to developing viable naturebased businesses for those living in and around RSCN’s protected areas while generating support for nature conservation throughout Jordan.
RSCN Membership
Becoming an RSCN Member is great for both you and nature! For information, contact (+962 6) 5337 931 member@rscn.org.jo
Contact us
For booking and infomration contact Tourism Unit at Wild Jordan Tel: (+962 6) 4616 523 email:tourism@rscn.org.jo or contact Azraq reserve directly at Tel: (+962 5) 3835 017 email:azraqtourism@rscn.org.jo
www.rscn.org.jo
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