Jordan small group tour

Environment

In an effort to preserve its pristine wilderness, there are no hotels in Wadi Rum itself but many local Bedouins offer tourists an overnight stay in their tents in the middle of the desert. Relatively few of Jordan's Bedouin still follow the ways of their ancestors. Most have settled in cities and towns and are found in every walk of life. Yet low-slung black tents and pack camels have not vanished from the landscape, and many travelers find a shared meal or coffee with traditional desert Bedouin to be their most memorable experience. Naturalists will be drawn to the desert in springtime, when rains bring the greening of the hills and an explosion of hundreds of species of wild flowers. Red anemones, poppies and the striking Black Iris, Jordan's national flower, grow at will by the roadside and in more quiet reaches.

RSCN is a non-government organisation devoted to the protection and care of Jordan’s wild plants, animals and natural landscapes. Our Ground Agents are part of RSCN's socio-economic growth projects, including all ecotourism and handicraft enterprises that link the protection of nature with improving the livelihoods of local communities. Wild Jordan is helping to generate a substantial income to help fund biodiversity protection in the country and create jobs and revenue for local communities which provides alternatives to harmful land uses like grazing and hunting. All this is leading to tangible results which the local communities can see, encouraging the preservation of the nature reserves even further as an important source of tourist revenue.

Jordan's Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature is for the benefit of the local community, and is an important source of employment and education in the local region. This tour includes 1 of the protected reserves Ajloun Forest Reserve and the Wadi Rum. The RSCN also operates a handicraft centre and locally produced goods as well as organically grown herbs and preserves are available in local shop.

Community

Our Ground Operator is part of the Discovery Foundation. The Discovery Foundation is a pioneer of Responsible and Sustainable Tourism in Jordan and strives to protect the environment and work for the benefit of local Jordanians.

By staying in a genuine Bedouin camp in the desert, with traditional food, accommodation in tents and entertainment around a well lit bonfire you are contributing to the continuation of their way of life and offers an unforgettable insight into their culture. You can also hire a local Bedouin guide who will offer you either a 4WD vehicle, or for the more adventurous a camel ride, to explore the area.

Local Guides - As a company we have a policy of staying in locally owned accommodation wherever possible and our ground agents employ local guides using transport owned and operated by local people. Lunches are eaten in locally owned and managed restaurants thus supporting the community financially. This provides valuable employment to the region and keeps the money you spend in the country which helps to maintain and develop the infrastructure.