The Mujib Nature Reserve, which is also known as the Mujib Biosphere Reserve, is quite possibly the most beautiful natural attraction in all of Jordan. The natural beauty of the area is quite simply beyond words. While the site is not featured in most of our Egypt and Jordan tours, it can however be added to any one of our existing itineraries.

Wadi Mujib Nature Reserve was established in 1987 and is located at the eastern shore of the Dead Sea.

The reserve is located roughly 90 kilometers to the south of Amman, in a mountainous region on the eastern side of the Dead Sea.

Its location makes the Mujib Nature Reserve the lowest nature reserve in the world, with the lowest part of the reserve being approximately 420 meters (1,380 feet) below sea level.

It is characterized by its many canyons and gorges, many of which have streams and rivers flowing through them, eventually draining out into the Dead Sea. The reserve is also home to hundreds of plant species and an impressive variety of birds and mammals.

In short, the Mujib Nature Reserve is without question one of the most spectacular Jordan tourist attractions, and one which is not to be missed if you enjoy spending some time in the Great Outdoors.

Mujib Nature Reserve – A Brief History

The Mujib Nature Reserve was created by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature in 1987, and in 2011 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers a total area of around 212 square kilometers (82 square miles).

While the actual reserve is not very old, the area itself has a very long and interesting religious history.

In fact, the area in and around the Mujib Nature Reserve, along with its main river, Wadi Mujib, is mentioned numerous times in the Bible, and also in Hebrew writings.

If you follow the Wadi Mujib River inland from the Dead Sea coast, you will come across countless ruins of bridges, fortresses and etc. which date back to biblical times.

Our Egypt and Jordan combined tours are already absolutely magical, and by adding a trip to the Mujib Nature Reserve to your tour itinerary, your stay in Jordan will be even more unforgettable than ever.

Geography of the Mujib Nature Reserve

The nature reserve consists almost entirely of a rocky mountainous landscape which is sparsely vegetated.

At its lowest point near the shores of the Dead Sea, it is about 420 meters below sea level, while in the mountainous regions to the north and south, its elevation reaches about 900 meters above sea level.

The area is mostly characterized by its many canyon and gorges, and its complex network of streams, rivers and tributaries which drain out into the Dead Sea.

Following the ice-age, some 20,000 years ago, the Dead Sea’s water level rose considerably, and because of this, sediment carried by the streams and rivers started to settle upstream, causing more pools and lakes to form.

Many of these pools and lakes later formed new gorges and canyons, leading to the complex network of canyons, gorges, rivers and streams which can be seen today.

Fauna and Flora at Mujib Nature Reserve

Because the area has a steady and reliable year-round supply of water, fauna and flora have managed to flourish in the area. The biodiversity here is well and truly incredible.

More than 300 different plant species have so far be recorded within the reserve, and it is believed that there are many that are still waiting to be discovered.

The reserve is also home to numerous species of birds, both permanent and migratory species. As one would expect, many species of mammals are also found in the reserve, some of which are rare and endangered.

Fortunately, some of the reserve’s valleys and mountainous areas are very difficult to access, and are therefore safe havens for some species, including rare goats, cats and other mountain animals.

Visiting Mujib Nature Reserve in Jordan

With more than 60 years of experience behind us, we believe that we know how to recognize an outstanding attraction when we see one, and the Mujib Nature Reserve is just such a place.

Of course, we realize that many people visit Jordan in order to see and enjoy the country’s many historical monuments, such as the indescribable Lost City of Petra. For this reason, you won’t find the Mujib Nature Reserve featured in many of our breathtaking Egypt and Jordan tours.

If on the other hand, you would like to see and experience some of the country’s unspoiled natural beauty, then you would be hard-pressed to find a more spectacular site than the Mujib Nature Reserve.

As an added bonus, if you head to the border of the reserve, you will find the Hammamat Ma’in hot springs. The hot springs are believed to be incredibly beneficial to health, and they are immensely popular among locals and tourists alike.

The Mujib Nature Reserve is a fantastic place to visit, and because all our tour packages are fully customizable, a visit to the reserve can be incorporated into any tour itinerary of your choice.