why Jordan 

For the keen bird watcher there is a pleasing variety of species present in Jordan. The habitats change from the open desert and its inhospitable wadis to the pine and oak forests of the hills and down into the sub-tropical Jordan Valley. In each place there are birds that are adapted to their environment. As well as the resident species, the Spring and Autumn brings large numbers of birds that migrate along one of the major routes between Europe and Africa.

Aqaba represents the last watering hole on the southern migration of most species of birds into Africa, (the first on the northern migration). It contains, within a small geographic area, the single best concentration of migratory birds on the transcontinental route between Europe and Africa. No matter what type of bird watching activity you like, you must make a stop in Aqaba. The sheer variety you see will overwhelm you no matter where you have birded before.

Bird Areas in Jordan

Due to its location between Asia, the

Arabian Peninsula, Africa and the Mediterranean region, and owing to its complex geology and great altitudinal range, Jordan contains a diversity of habitats ranging from Mediterranean evergreen woodland to stony and rocky deserts.

Azraq Oasis

In the eastern desert close to the Iraqi border,  

the Azraq Oasis was a traditional caravan stopping point. The oasis is an important stopping point by air as well as land. Each year flocks of birds visit Azraq during their annual migration, making this a must-see for any bird enthusiast.

Bird-watching in Jordan

From the Royal Society for the Conservation

of Nature. Jordan is becoming more and more popular with bird watchers. Its geographical location makes it possible to see birds from three continents: Europe, Africa and Asia; and the country itself has a remarkable variety of habitats, each with its own compliment of birds.

The Wildlands of Jordan's Dana

Dana is about a 2 hours drive south of Amman (on the Desert Highway is best) close to the small towns of Qadisayya and Buseirah. "As a naturalist, but particularly a birdwatcher, who has travelled extensively in the Middle East, you cannot recollect an area like the Dana Wildlands Reserve where in the course of about a 15 km stretch one can find such a representative selection of truly Middle Eastern birds, from mountain to desert species. 

For bird watchers, Discovery will get you up close to some of the 390 species of birds which reside in Jordan, or make it an annual migratory stop. 

Take a good look at a Houbara Bustard, or a Tristram's Grackle. Our expert guides will reveal the diverse species stopping at the Azraq Oasis Nature Reserve. You will be watching cranes, pelicans, egrets and black headed gulls. 

The Sinai Rosefinch is the National bird of Jordan, so we will also make it a point to drop in at one of the local habitats of this beautiful rare bird.