Shaumari Wildlife ReserveAbout Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
Shaumari Wildlife Reserve is a fenced conservation reserve in eastern Jordan near the Azraq area, established as a breeding and reintroduction site for threatened ungulates. The reserve is focused on captive breeding, species recovery and limited public visits for education.
The site combines a small visitor area with observation points and managed enclosures where reintroduced species such as Arabian oryx, Persian onager and various gazelles are kept as part of breeding programmes. Interpretive material explains the reintroduction work and species biology.
Set up in the 1970s with international conservation support, the reserve was one of Jordan’s early efforts to breed and reintroduce locally extirpated ungulates; it has been used as a source population for releases and as a conservation breeding facility.
Located in eastern Jordan near the Azraq desert steppe within Amman Governorate, the reserve sits inland from the country’s central corridor and is reached by road from Amman.
- Conservation role: Established in the 1970s as a breeding and reintroduction site, the reserve played an early role in restoring Arabian oryx and other threatened ungulates to Jordanian habitats.
What to See#
- Visitor centre: A small visitor area and interpretation centre that provides information on the reserve’s objectives and introduced species, and serves as the main public contact point.
- Breeding enclosures: Fenced breeding enclosures and managed release paddocks used for captive breeding and acclimatization of Arabian oryx, Persian onager and other reintroduced ungulates.
Best Time to Visit Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
Best visited in spring or autumn for mild temperatures and the greatest chance of wildlife activity.
Weather & Climate near Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
Shaumari Wildlife Reserve's climate is classified as Hot Desert - Hot Desert climate with hot summers (peaking in August) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 3°C to 36°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Good | 3° - 15° | 8° | 15 mm | some cloud | 65% | 2.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.2h |
| February | Excellent | 5° - 17° | 11° | 10 mm | some cloud | 59% | 3.2 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Excellent | 8° - 21° | 14° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 51% | 2.9 m/s | 1.4 high | 11.9h |
| April | Ideal | 12° - 26° | 19° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 42% | 3.4 m/s | 1.9 very high | 12.8h |
| May | Ideal | 16° - 31° | 24° | 2 mm | mostly sunny | 35% | 3.2 m/s | 2.3 extreme | 13.6h |
| June | Ideal | 19° - 34° | 27° | 0 mm | clear | 33% | 3.5 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 14.0h |
| July | Ideal | 21° - 36° | 28° | 0 mm | clear | 34% | 3.9 m/s | 2.8 extreme | 13.8h |
| August | Ideal | 22° - 36° | 29° | 0 mm | clear | 38% | 3.4 m/s | 2.5 extreme | 13.1h |
| September | Ideal | 19° - 34° | 26° | 0 mm | clear | 38% | 2.7 m/s | 2.0 very high | 12.2h |
| October | Ideal | 15° - 29° | 22° | 3 mm | clear | 40% | 2.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 11.3h |
| November | Excellent | 9° - 22° | 16° | 8 mm | mostly sunny | 51% | 2.2 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 10.4h |
| December | Excellent | 5° - 16° | 10° | 18 mm | mostly sunny | 60% | 2.7 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.0h |
How to Get to Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
Shaumari lies east of Amman near the Azraq area. By car, take the Desert Highway (Highway 15) east from Amman toward Azraq (roughly 60-75 km depending on starting point) and follow local signs/track roads toward the reserve; a 4x4 is recommended for the last stretches. Public transport is limited - the simplest practical route is a private car or arranged transfer via the RSCN from Amman. Confirm access and guided-visit arrangements with the RSCN in advance.
Tips for Visiting Shaumari Wildlife Reserve
- Book any visit through the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) - access and guided drives are often arranged rather than casual drop-ins.
- Visit at first light: desert mammals are most active in the hours after sunrise and the heat is bearable for short off-road forays.
- Bring a good pair of binoculars and a telephoto lens - animals are kept in large fenced enclosures and most sightings are distant.
- Combine a trip with Azraq Wetland Reserve (about 30-40 minutes east) for contrasting landscapes: permanent water and migratory birds versus fenced desert grazers.
- Respect signs and fencing. Many animals are part of breeding and reintroduction programmes; do not attempt to feed or approach them.