Wadi Feynan Eco Lodge Jordan
This superbly designed adobe lodge provides holiday accomodation for
Wadi Feynan Eco Lodge opened in the summer of 2005 amongst the arid mountains on the western border of Jordan's Dana Nature Reserve.
Although it’s part of a long term strategy by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature to protect local plant life it was built as a base for people wanting to explore the area on foot or by mountain bike.
The Bedouin who live in the Wadi are amongst the most impoverished in Jordan. They rely almost totally on their goats for survival. Unfortunately overgrazing is endangering plant life and to encourage the Bedouin to reduce this, the RSCN have come up with several schemes to provide alternative, sustainable sources of income. Feynan Lodge is one of them.
Built entirely of local materials the unique arabesque design by a local architect incorporates traditional adobe building techniques and has produced a building that is functional, romantic and blends with its surroundings.
It’s powered by day using solar energy and lit at night by candles produced by Bedouin women working in the candle workshop that forms part of the lodge. It’s also staffed and run entirely by local Bedouin.
It’s not the easiest place in the world to reach. There’s a longish drive from the Dead Sea Highway to the reception in the nearest village. Then another half hour in a Bedouin truck over a very rough and bumpy track to get there.
Feynan Lodge is not going to generate mass tourism but it does provide good quality accommodation for those who want to explore the nature, culture and history of these desert nomads. A variety of unmarked trails provide local and long distance treks including ones to Dana Village and Petra. I trekked through the desert to see ancient Roman copper mines with a local guide. He told me that the lodge was bringing hope to the area and that some 20 -30 Bedouin were making all or part of their living working there. ‘It is a good thing for us’, he said ‘We can continue to stay in this area and have a good life. Tell all your friends to come.’
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