Jordan Nature Is Very Different

Highlights and People of Azraq

Azraq, which means blue in Arabic, is a unique wetland oasis located in the heart of the arid Jordanian desert. It contains several pools, a seasonally flooded marshland, and a large mudflat known as Qa' al Azraq. A variety of birds flock to the reserve each year, stopping for a short rest along their migration routes, staying for the winter, or breeding within the protected areas of the wetland. Click here for more information of Azraq Wildlife. The best time to visit Azraq is late autumn, winter or spring. Winter rains often create pools and marshes over the reserve, which continue to attract many seasonal species of birds. The success of a bird-watching visit depends largely on the amount of water that has accumulated in the reserve.

The Azraq area has a rich cultural history due to its strategic location and water resources. It was used as a station for pilgrims traveling to Mecca and Medina, as well as a military site for many armies.

Today, there are two villages near the reserve. North Azraq is inhabited predominantly by Druze people, who fled Syria during the revolt against the French in the early 1920's. South Azraq was established at the end of the 19th century by Chechens, a group of Muslims who were fleeing religious persecution in Russia.

Both groups of villagers traditionally depended on the wetlands, which provided them with water for farming and grazing areas for their buffalo and horses. As the wetlands dried up, the villagers moved to service based occupations, along the Saudi Arabia-Iraq highway.

Trails

Azraq offers one main trail inside the reserve. For special interest group of birdwatchers please click here more information on birding tours with RSCN.

Marsh Trail

Round Trip Distance: 1.5 km
Time: 1 hour
Grade: Easy

The Marsh Trail is an easy loop around the marshes and pools. From the visitors' centre, the trail leads out to the marshes across a wooden walkway. It then crosses a dry area to reach a viewing platfrom overlooking the Shishan pools, the centre of the huge springs that once spilled millions of cubic metres of water across the marshland. Before they dried up they were popular swimming holes for local people. In fact, the villagers refer to the two pools as the "man's pool" and the "woman's pool", an indication of their designated swimming areas.

On leaving the viewing area, you will walk along an ancient Umayyad or Roman wall (no one is certain who built it), constructed of black basalt rock. It has an intricate structure, with buttresses jutting out of the wall on either side. The wall was possibly a water control system, used to separate salt water from fresh water and a barrier against winter floods.

The trail leaves the wall across more open water and reeds, to a bird hide made of local mud brick. The hide overlooks a large stretch of shallow water that attracts many birds - including vivid blue kingfishers. And you may be lucky enough to see the water buffaloes. From here the trail leads back to the visitor centre, past a circular ancient wall, like a basalt donut, the original purpose of which remains obscure. It is thought to have been for saving fresh water during the summer or for providing decadent Romans (or Umayyads) with a secluded, communal bathing pool in the marshes.

Accommodation(capacity, prices, available facilities)

Camping is not permitted inside the Azraq Wetland Reserve. RSCN is currently renovating and expanding its old lodge (which was once a British field hospital) located near the village of South Azraq. Once completed and operational the lodge will become a hub from which to explore the nature reserves as well as the unique eastern desert of Jordan (Due to open end of 2004). Until then accommodation is available at the nearby Shaumari reserve campsite or the local hotels and rest houses

Visitor Centre

The visitor centre, opened in 2000, contains colourful exhibits describing the history and wildlife of Azraq and the fight to save the wetlands from total destruction. Visitors can receive information or book guided tours from the centre.

The Azraq Castle (Qasr Azraq)

Qasr Azraq is one of the historic desert castles, located in the village of North Azraq. Because of its strategic location close to the borders of several different countries and near a water supply, the site has been occupied by many different civilisations including the Omayyads, Ayyubids, and Ottomans. It was made famous during World War I, when T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia, used the castle as his military headquarters during the Arab revolt against the Turks.

Temperatures(C)

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