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"Jordan Jubilee" See the RSCN website at www.rscn.org.jo
Dana and Wadi Mujib Two Bedouin friends and their camels GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL INFORMATION
HISTORY OF JORDAN MEETING THE PEOPLE
THE MIDDLE EAST AROUND
THE WEBSITE FUN
STUFF The Gates of Damascus More Jordan links
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Ajloun
Ajloun Reserve is open for visitors from the 1st of April until the 31st of October. This applies to the campsite, the Reserve is open to day visits, but it is a good idea to get in touch with the RSCN first; the reserve is tucked away and not easy at all to find. Please see the RSCN website for prices - see also the page on the Reserves here for my personal opinion! For more information and booking, please do not hesitate to contact Ajloun Reserve at: Tel. 00962.2.6475672, fax. 00962.2.647.5673 Or RSCN Headquarters: Tel 00962.6.461.6523, 461.6483 fax 00962.6.463.3657, email tourism@rscn.org.jo The Ajloun Reserve was established in 1988 and covers 13 square kms. It is located in the Ajloun Highlands around the long Ain Zubia Valley and is a Mediterranean hill landscape mainly with open woodland of oak and pistachio trees. It was established in 1988 in another area where a captive-breeding program for the roe deer was begun and was later moved 12 kilometers northwest. Hikers, campers and picnickers are welcomed. These woodlands are like the original forest which once covered most of northern Jordan and there is a remarkably similar area close to Petra, at Hisha in the hills near to Shobuk, which is also popular with local picnickers on Fridays. The area has a long history of human settlements, due to its Mediterranean climate, dense forests, and fertile soil. This rich history is reflected in the many archaeological ruins scattered in the woodlands and surrounding villages. In the village of Tubna, you will find a Zeidanian mosque and meeting hall dating back to 1750 A.D.
Many woodland animals inhabit the reserve, including badgers, foxes and a few fierce wild boars; and also many typical birds like the great tit, gold finch, turtle dove, hooded crow and jay. In spring it is a profusion of wild flowers, with drifts of colourful anemones and wild rock roses. The whole of the reserve was fenced to provide a safe release site for the locally extinct roe deer but the proximity of several villages and pockets of private land have prevented this release taking place. Wood cutting, illegal grazing and hunting continue to cause problems for management and RSCN has been seeking to establish an alternative woodland reserve in the area. Two trails have been laid out :
Sleeping in Ajloun Reserve
Ajloun Forest Lodge : The Ajloun Campsite is on the edge of the forest in the Ajloun Nature Reserve in the north of Jordan. It occupies a large grassy clearing, enclosed by oak, pistachio and strawberry trees and offers beautiful views of the reserve and beyond. On clear days, you can see the west bank and the snow- capping Jebel Sheikh in Lebanon. There are 10 four- person tented lodges available with small terraces and beds inside. Shared showers and toilets are available, nearby, along side the reserve centre, which offers a small restaurant, interpretation room, training room and the reserve management offices. The campsite is open mid March to mid November. Ajloun Campsite contains 10 tents (40 persons per night). Check in after 3:00 PM. Check out before 12:00 Noon. The charges for sleeping go down from 20JD for 1 person to 15JD/person for 5 people or more.
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