Ajloun Forest Reserve

Ajloun Forest Reserve is a protected woodland area in northern Jordan that shelters evergreen oak forests, carob trees, and black iris flowers across rolling terrain. The reserve includes tented lodges and cabins where visitors can stay overnight to explore the landscape.

The reserve was founded in 1988 by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to protect Jordan's woodlands and wildlife. This effort responded to the disappearance of natural forests across the country.

The reserve works closely with local people who practice traditional crafts like soap making and calligraphy, skills that remain part of daily life here. Visitors can watch these activities and understand how communities maintain their heritage.

The reserve lies roughly 80 kilometers north of Amman and operates best between March and November when weather conditions are favorable. Visitors should wear comfortable hiking shoes since the terrain is hilly and sometimes rocky.

The reserve runs a specialized breeding program for roe deer, animals that had disappeared from local forests for many years. This effort has slowly brought the species back to the landscape where it once lived.