Wadi Rum Protected Area is managed by a local area management, under the umbrella of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). There is an on-site management team of 52 people (June 2005), operating out of the visitor centre, most of whom have been recruited from local communities. This team includes a Site Manager and […]
We need the help of all visitors to make our efforts to protect Wadi Rum successful Wadi Rum is a very beautiful and special place but it faces some challenging environmental problems. The growing pressure from visitors, and especially from off-road vehicles, is damaging the fragile desert ecology. There is also a problem of littering […]
Early in 2002, a small herd of captive bred Arabian Oryx are transported to a special enclosure in Wadi Rum, as part of a long term plan to release them into the protected area. Oryx are known from living memory to have roamed throughout the area and they are depicted in ancient rock drawings. This […]
Visitors to Wadi Rum usually see very few animals because most desert creatures are nocturnal, to avoid the daytime sun, and many of the larger ones are now reduced to very low numbers. However, if you take the time to look carefully, you are likely to encounter a number of interesting birds, insects and reptiles […]
Bedouins Virtually all the people living in and around Wadi Rum are of Bedouin origin and, until recently, led nomadic lives, relying on their goat herds. They belong to seven tribal groups, of which the three largest are the Zalabia tribe who make up the majority of people living in Rum Village (see Rum map); […]
Wadi Rum is not an inherently dangerous place but travelers in the desert should take a few simple precautions to reduce risks and make their visit more enjoyable. Always bring a hat, sun cream and drinking water to enable you to cope with the sun and heat and strong shoes are recommended for walking over […]
A standard fee is charged to all visitors entering the visitor centre and protected area. This fee is used to help local Bedouin communities and pay for the protection of Wadi Rum. At present the fees are as follows: 5 Jordanian Dinars for international visitors 1 Jordanian Dinar per person for Jordanians and residents. 0.5 Jordanian […]
Sites of interest Lawrence’s spring: where Lawrence of Arabia reputedly washed during the Arab Revolt. Has an attractive rock inscriptions on nearby rocks. Khazali canyon: deep, narrow fissure in the mountain side, containing many rock inscriptions. Sunset sites: winter and summer sites, where you get the most dramatic views of Wadi Rum as the sun […]
Exploring the protected area You can explore Wadi Rum in several ways: by jeep, by camel, by horse or on foot. If you want more challenging pursuits like climbing and trekking, see Adventure Seekers. Jeep tours are the quickest way to see the well-known scenic and archaeological sites. There are 19 of these sites of […]
People have lived in Rum for thousands of years, struggling to survive in its harsh environment. They have been hunters, pastoralists, farmers and traders, as Rum is close to national borders. Even the famous Nabateans once occupied Rum, leaving behind several structures, including a temple. Local people gained notoriety more recently when they joined the […]
