A Night at Fenyan Ecolodge in Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan

This blog contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep this content free.

Jordan was a country full of highlights. Just when I thought tomorrow couldn’t possibly top what I had experienced that very day, I found myself coming face to face with Petra, or camping with Bedouins in the desert, or floating like a cork on the Dead Sea.

Is there no limit to Jordan’s surprises?!

A Night at Fenyan Ecolodge in Dana Biosphere Reserve in Jordan: Journeying out to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan

Yet another highlight came in the form of a visit to the Dana Biosphere Reserve. The Dana Biosphere is Jordan’s largest nature reserve and it has an incredibly rich biodiversity. Most of the reserve is accessible only on foot, so if you’re looking to get off-the-beaten-path, this is as remote as it gets.

I stayed at the Feynan Ecolodge during my visit, and it proved to be a great way to explore the area. They gave us the freedom to either go hiking on our own, or to join one of the local Bedouin guides for a meaningful look at life in this part of the world.

My one day at the Dana Biosphere Reserve proved to be all too brief, but here’s a look at some of the highlights:

A candlelit welcome at the Feynan Ecolodge

It was a long day of travel journeying out to the Dana Biosphere Reserve, and it involved travelling by bus, then switching over to pick-up trucks as the road turned into a gravel path, and finally using our own two feet to reach our accommodations for the night.

The Feynan Eco-Lodge lit by candlelight at night which is a most impressive sight to behold

I have to say, our arrival was timed perfectly! We stopped off to enjoy a cup of sweet tea just as the sun was setting, and by the time we reached the ecolodge, it was shortly after dusk. It was an unforgettable sight coming around the bend with our flashlights and seeing our path lit by candlelight.

An astronomy lesson on the lodge’s rooftop

The Dana Biosphere Reserve is a place where the sky looks as though someone spilled a bottle of glitter. The stars glow and they glow bright.

After a candlelit dinner that evening, we all made our way to the rooftop to gaze at the night sky. Padded mats and pillows were readily available and everyone found their own little spot to take in the beauty and catch a glimpse at a shooting star. What I wasn’t expecting was to also get a fascinating lesson in astronomy.

Having spent most of my recent years living in cities where the bright lights pollute any chance of spotting major constellations, I don’t have a strong foundation when it comes to sighting Pisces or Virgo, however, our Bedouin guide Ali wowed us with his knowledge of the stars above.

Eager to hear the names and the mythical stories behind each group of stars, we gathered around him and his telescope as he brought the night sky to life. There were tales of the beautiful queen of Cassiopeia, the winged horse known as Pegasus, and the chained lady also known as Andromeda. His knowledge of the stars was astounding.

Falling asleep to the sound of the howling wind

That night I had one of the soundest sleeps of my life. Since the ecolodge doesn’t have electricity in the rooms (except for the bathroom), we called it an early night. I arranged the white net around my bed to keep any bugs out, slipped under the fluffy duvet, and fell asleep to the sound of the howling desert wind within minutes. I completely missed the early wake-up call to go on a sunrise hike and didn’t wake up until the sun was streaming in through my window.

The Feynan Ecolodge in Jordan room views from an outside perspective with flower garden nearby

The exterior of the Feynan Ecolodge in Jordan with its unique block design

Flowers and plants flowing naturally from the window and balcony of the Fenyan Eco Lodge in Jordan

Our bedding with mosquito nets at the Dana Biosphere as Bedouin accommodations in Jordan

Breakfast al fresco with goats and cats

The following morning I had a very entertaining al fresco breakfast with a few unexpected guests. It seems I wasn’t the only hungry one at the lodge. After serving myself a spread of flat bread, hummus, and various cheeses and jams, I grabbed a seat at the table where I soon had company in the form of goats.

Breakfast al fresco in the Dana Biosphere Reserve which included fruit, jam, cheese and flatbread with juice and hot beverages

Yes, a herd of goats mulled around in the foreground, trying to steal garbage bags from the kitchen before settling on tree branches.

Goats roaming the grounds while we ate breakfast at the ecolodge in Jordan

And then a family of kittens approached. Knowing they are small and cute, the kittens worked their charm on me and inched their way forward. First a meow in the distance imploring for a bit of food, then approaching the table with a little less hesitation, and finally jumping up on my placemat and helping themselves to my yogurt while I stepped away to get a glass of juice.

A cute cat that we encountered while staying at the Fenyan Ecolodge in Jordan

Feeding this cat scraps of food for breakfast at our eco lodge in Jordan

Yes, these were the culprits! How do you shoo away a face like that?

A morning spent learning about the Bedouin way of life

What I enjoyed most about my stay at the Feynan Ecolodge, however, was the opportunity to learn about the Bedouin way of life.

The Feynan Ecolodge has a strong focus on sustainable tourism and that means working closely with the local community. So, in the morning, our guide Suleiman walked us over to his father’s tent. As we approached, he taught us that in the Bedouin culture you are allowed to drop by unannounced, however, you must cough outside the tent and make your presence known so that those inside have a few moments to, you know, get decent.

Our guide showing us around with hand gestures at the Fenyan Ecolodge in Jordan

Inside of a Bedouin tent in Jordan where we would seek shelter and drink tea

Goat at the watering hole in Jordan during our ecolodge stay enjoying rural life in the dessert

We also learned that Bedouins will extend their hospitality to strangers for up to 3 days – no questions asked. I can’t think of many Western cultures that would welcome strangers with open arms, however, in the harsh desert climate, this type of hospitality is the only thing that can give an unfortunate stranger a fighting chance.

A cup of tea in a Bedouin tent in Jordan macro details from an overhead perspective

Coffee time the Bedouin way cooked and warmed beside a fire in Jordan in a traditional pot

A Bedouin man in traditional clothing roasting coffee beans to make coffee in the dessert during our eco experience in Jordan

A potato, onion, and tomato dip we ate with pita for a meal inside the Bedouin tent in Jordan during our ecolodge travel adventure

A loaf of bread cooked the traditional Bedouin way covered in dirt and rocks and made naturally from the earth in Jordan

Once inside the tent, we sat down on the carpet, drank a few cups of tea and coffee, and shared a loaf of bread with a delicious dip cooked by the family’s matriarch. Then, Suleiman invited us to ask him and his family any questions we had about their way of life. At first we just looked at each other sheepishly, but once the questions started, you couldn’t keep anyone quiet. Our questions covered everything from daily life in the desert (it’s a lot of hard work) to the dating life of a modern day Bedouin (the answer to that one is Facebook!). It was a fascinating conversation to say the least, and with that it was soon time to leave.

Views of the biosphere in Jordan from a wide angle perspective of the Fenyan Ecolodge which naturally blends into the rugged desert landscapes

Planning Your Own Feynan Trip: Practical Tips

Getting There Without Losing Your Sanity

Amman → Dana Village

  • Public JETT buses run daily to Tafila (3 hrs). From there, hire a local driver (≈ 10 JD) or pre‑arrange a lodge transfer.

  • Self‑drive via the King’s Highway (Hwy 35) for cinematic wadis and lookouts. Allow 3.5 hrs including photo stops.
    Final Five Kilometres
    Only 4×4 pickups negotiated by the lodge are permitted on the desert track down to Feynan. They leave on the hour from the visitor centre (2 JD pp each way, cash only). Tip: Store rolling luggage in the centre’s free cloakroom; bring a soft overnight bag instead.

What to Pack (and What to Skip)

BringWhy
Headlamp or mini torchCandles are romantic, but not ideal for midnight bathroom runs.
Merino layersTemperatures swing 25 °C between noon and 3 a.m.—yes, even in August.
Re‑usable water bottleContinuous refills from the lodge’s UV filter eliminate plastic waste.
Power bankGuest rooms are off‑grid. Two communal solar‑charged sockets sit in reception.
Small gifts for Bedouin hostsColouring pencils, dates, or Arabic coffee are appreciated gestures during tent visits.

Leave Behind hair‑dryers, speakers and anything that gulps electricity—the point is to unplug.

Choosing Activities

Feynan posts a chalkboard schedule each evening so you can sign up on a whim, but popular experiences do fill quickly:

ExperienceDuration / DifficultyWhy It Rocks
Sunset Ridge Walk1.5 hrs, easyEnds with fresh sage tea brewed over a juniper fire.
Copper Mine & Byzantine Church TrekHalf‑day, moderateArchaeology meets geology—plus wild hyrax sightings.
Morning Goat Milking1 hr, gentle strollTry fresh laban straight from the herd; surprisingly tangy!
Multi‑Day Wadi Trail to Dana Village2 days, strenuousHike canyon floors by day, sleep in portable Bedouin tents by night—perfect for photographers.

Food Philosophy & Menu Sneak Peek

Everything plated at Feynan is vegetarian, seasonal and sourced within a 40‑km radius. Don’t worry carnivores—meals are so flavour‑charged you won’t miss the kebab.

  • Breakfast: Za’atar‑dusted flatbreads, tahini‑honey drizzle, farm eggs with tomatoes.

  • Lunch: Build‑your‑own mezze bowls—think smokey baba ganoush, pickled wild cucumber, sautéed purslane.

  • Dinner: Clay‑pot maqluba (upside‑down rice with cauliflower), lentil shorba and cardamom‑scented rice pudding.

Sustainability Credentials That Actually Matter

Feynan isn’t green‑washing; it’s a recognised Long Run ‘GER®’ property, which means:

  • 100 % of its electricity comes from rooftop solar arrays.

  • Grey water irrigates a permaculture garden whose herbs end up in your tea glass.

  • 80 % of staff hail from the three surrounding Bedouin clans, injecting more than 200,000 JD a year into the local economy.

  • Candles are handmade from leftover olive‑oil wax by women in the nearby village of Qurayqira—feel free to grab a set in the gift corner as a souvenir that genuinely supports the community.

Budget Hacks for Cost‑Conscious Travellers

  1. Shoulder‑Season Rates (Feb/Mar & Oct/Nov) slice room prices by up to 25 % while still delivering pleasant hiking temps.

  2. Book via email and ask for the “community guide bunk room”—a four‑bed dorm used mainly by volunteers. It’s half the standard tariff and includes identical meals and activities.

  3. Share transfers: the lodge keeps a WhatsApp list of guests arriving the same day. Joining a pooled ride from Amman can drop your transport cost from ≈ 60 JD to 18 JD.

  4. Bring your own wine. The lodge is alcohol‑free but allows BYOB with no corkage fee. Sunset ridge + a Petra rosé = bliss.

Quick Cultural Etiquette Cheatsheet

  • Greet elders with “Salam aleikum” first, handshake second.

  • Never photograph women or kids without direct permission—ask the father or eldest brother if unsure.

  • When sitting inside a goat‑hair tent, keep soles of feet pointed away from the coffee hearth (considered disrespectful).

  • Sip the tiny Arabic coffee cup once. If you want a refill, hand it back; if you’re finished, gently shake it side to side.

Extending the Adventure

Got another night? String together Jordan’s best low‑impact stays:

  1. Dana Village – Sleep in a 500‑year‑old stone guesthouse run by the Dana Cooperative; sunrise balcony views are phenomenal.

  2. Little Petra Bedouin Camp – Perfect halfway stop en‑route to Petra. Candlelit siq dinners and stargazing rival Wadi Rum without the crowds.

  3. Wadi Mujib Biosphere – Finish with a canyoning splash through the Siq Trail (Apr–Oct). Book the simple eco‑chalets on the shore of the Dead Sea to soothe those rappel‑tired legs.

What made my visit to the Dana Biosphere Reserve so special was the chance to discover this place through a local’s eyes. The Bedouins were the ones who guided us to the lodge on that first night, the ones who introduced us to the constellations in the sky, and then ones who taught us about their customs and traditions. And that’s why almost one year after my visit to Jordan, I’m still dreaming about the deserts, the music, and its people.

For more Jordan posts, check out:

Destinations in Jordan, because there’s more than just Petra

Petra: Journeying into the Lost City

Exploring Petra and Wadi Musa

Memories from Wadi Rum

Join the Conversation

19 Comments

  1. says: Rebekah

    That sounds pretty amazing. I love the idea of getting to learn straight from locals and to be in such a quiet natural landscape. Its pretty intense seeing stars when you’re far from a city! I thought I had seen that before, but its different where you’re somewhere REALLY remote then just a bit out of the city

  2. I love the sounds of that tea and an astronomy lesson. Nothing like getting away from city lights and cozying up with tea. Especially in that setting!

  3. says: Sam

    I’ve heard a lot a about this place and it sounds great. I stayed in Dana for a couple of nights a few years go, but not here. Such beautiful, varied and untouched landscapes; it was unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been!

  4. says: Maria Falvey

    Audrey, the Ecolodge is amazing and while I loved your posts on camping with Bedouins – this place is a definite must visit. Thanks for the introduction… and those little goats are so cute. 😀

  5. says: Justine

    What an amazing glimpse of Bedouin life. Just reading this post was fascinating to me since I don’t know much about it. So interesting that they open their homes to strangers for up to three days. That’s pretty incredible. And very funny that their answer to dating is Facebook! I would not have expected that 🙂 I sounds like a great experience and I would love to stay here!

  6. says: Renuka

    Superb experiences! Jordan is a fascinating land – so much of culture and character. And I love that breakfast platter! 🙂 Is it a safe place for solo travelers too?

  7. says: De'Jav

    Being under the stars and listening to the wind. Sounds like it was a great culture experience on many aspects.

  8. says: Franca

    That really is something unique Audrey and that doesn’t happen everyday. It’s amazing you got to experience the Bedouin life and learn so much about it, I must admit that is something I wouldn’t mind trying myself, I always wanted to visit Jordan! 🙂

  9. I absolutely loved Jordan when I visited back in 2009. I’ve been itching to go back ever since and explore the country properly, as I only managed to see Petra and the Dead Sea.

    The sky at night sounds just how the skies in Cyprus are! 🙂

  10. Great pics. I spent a night and day in the Dana Reserve and thought it was super. The views are spectacular and the bedouins are extremely helpful. A great place to go on an extended hike.

  11. says: Charlie

    The Dana Biosphere Reserve is one of the excursions we arrange for customers at my work and every time I read about it I want to go. This is the first post I’ve ever read about it though, it’s nice to read a first-hand experience. The Bedouin way of life is absolutely fascinating and its great to have the chance to really talk with locals and get a better idea of how they live – must have been an amazing experience!

  12. says: Laura

    What an amazing experience. And what cheeky cats! Jordan sounds like a fascinating place.

  13. says: Yixiong

    You must have definitely had an amazing time. I spent a night at Wadi Rum myself when I had a chance to visit Jordan and regretted only having allocated a night there. The night sky was a tapestry of stars and I spent more than a few hours just sitting in the open with a thick blanket! I managed to wake up early for the sunrise and that was amazing too!

  14. says: Emily

    I really wish I’d had more time in Jordan to do something like this – what an incredible experience!

  15. says: Nichelle @ Airline Miles Experts

    Wow! Dana Biosphere Reserve is my kind of destination. It is incredible. I have never been to such interesting place.

  16. Visiting a country and experiencing it through the eyes of a local is exactly what differentiates the tourist and the traveler. The latter brings so much more exciting and authentic travels. It sounds like you had an amazing time in Jordan – thanks for the introduction!

Leave a comment
Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *