Wadi Mujib is a gorge in Jordan which enters the Dead Sea at 410 meters below sea level. The Mujib Reserve of Wadi Mujib is the lowest nature reserve in the world, located in the mountainous landscape to the east of the Dead Sea, approximately 90km south of Amman. The 220 square kilometers reserve was created in 1987 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature and is regionally and internationally important, particularly for the bird life that the reserve supports.

It extends to the Kerak and Madaba mountains to the north and south, reaching 900 meters above sea level in some places. This 1,300 meter variation in elevation, combined with the valley's year round water flow from seven tributaries, means that Wadi Mujib enjoys a magnificent biodiversity that is still being explored and documented today. Over 300 species of plants, 10 species of carnivores and numerous species of permanent and migratory birds have been recorded until this date. Some of the remote mountain and valley areas are difficult to reach, and thus offer safe havens for rare species of cats, goats and other mountain animals.

Geography of Mujib

During the last Ice Age the water level of the Dead Sea reached 180 m below sea level, about 230 m higher than it is today. It flooded the lower areas of the canyons along its banks, which became bays and begun to accumulate sediments. As the climatic conditions changed, about 20,000 years ago, the water level of the lake dropped, leaving the re-emergent canyons blocked with lake marl. Most canyons managed to cut through their plugged outlets and to resume their lower courses. However, Wadi Mujib, the biblical Arnon River, abandoned its former outlet by breaking through a cleft in the sandstone. This narrow cleft became the bottleneck of an enormously large drainage basin with a huge discharge. During the years the cleft was scoured deeper and the gorge of Wadi Mujib was formed.

The Mujib reserve consists of mountainous, rocky, and sparsely vegetated desert (up to 800 m), with cliffs, gorges and deep wadis cutting through plateaus. Perennial, spring-fed streams flow down the wadis to the shores of the Dead Sea which lies 400 m below sea-level.

The slopes of the mountaineous land are very sparsely vegetated, with a steppe-type vegetation on plateaus. Groundwater seepage does occur in places along the Dead Sea shore, for example at the hot springs of Zara, which support a luxuriant thicket of Acacia, Tamarix, Phoenix and Nerium, and a small marsh. The less severe slopes of the reserve are used by pastoralists for the grazing of sheep and goats.

The hot springs of Hammamat Ma'in lie close to the borders of the reserve are heavily used for tourism/recreation.

The Jordanian military have a temporary camp in the south of the reserve.

A large dam was recently finished at the bottom of the wadi, where the modern road crosses the river. As a result, a large lake has formed.

Bird and Animal Life in Mujib

As well as resident birds, the reserve is strategically important as a safe stop-over for the huge number of birds which fly annually along the rift valley between Africa & northeast Europe. It is possible to see the following birds in Mujib:

Many carnivores also inhabit the various vegetation zones in Mujib, such as the Caracal cat, striped hyena and the Syrian wolf. One of the most important animals in Mujib is the Nubian ibex, a large mountain goat which became threatened as a result of over-hunting.

Ecotourism at Wadi Mujib

Environmental awareness in Jordan is increasing rapidly. Jordan is home to a network of Nature Reserves which are designed to represent a cross-section of the different indigenous eco-systems. Currently, the Mujib valley is being seriously developed for adventure tourism, and a number of facilities have recently been established along with several others that are still under progress. This includes a Visitors' Centre and a "beach" on the Dead Sea. Experiencing Jordan’s Grand Canyon involves swimming, jumping, abseiling and floating. Its red walls are filled with running water that plunges through a 25 m waterfall. Pools are located near the confluence of Wadi Mujib and Wadi el Hidan.

Trails

Mujib Reserve offers four major trails to visitors, two river trails and two dry land trail. They offer some of the most dramatic hiking in the Kingdom. The river trails are for adventure seekers and you need to be fit and able to swim. For safety and environmental reasons, you must be accompanied by trained guides, whom you can pre-arrange their presence through Wild Jordan. The number and frequency of the river hikes is also controlled, so please check availability before your visit.

The trail we have on some of our programms and that you can book through us is the following:

Mujib Canyon Trail (Water Fall): This is an exciting trail, offering a chance to swim in the nicely temperated clear waters of the Mujib and Hidan rivers. It starts near the Nature Reserve reception. The trail leads quickly to a striking area of creamy-white hills made of soft lissan deposits, reminiscent of the American Badlands. After passing through these hills, you begin your descent to the river Mujib, crystal clear, fast flowing and teeming with life. Dense vegetation lines the rivers sides, making a stark contrast to the arid, naked mountains that surround you. The hike continues upstream along the river edge, to its confluence with the Hidan River and a couple of hundred meters into the Hidan River Canyon. There are deep pools here, ready made for swimming, where you can linger, eat a picnic and just enjoy this wild paradise.

The beginning of the hike is under the sun (approx. 1 hour) but it becomes cooler when you reach the water and is in the shade whilst you are in the canyon.

This trail lasts about 4-5 hours. It's open from April to October and subject to weather and water conditions.

Sources: Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wadi_Mujib

              RSCN Jordan - http://www.rscn.org.jo/AdventuresActivitiesMujib.asp?ID=ctr3_2