WADI RUM CAMP | HASSAN ZAWAIDEH CAMP | MARTIAN TENT | BEDOUIN FOOD | JORDAN | DEC 2021

Hassan Zawaideh Camp is a great option, value for money with friendly staff and good, clean, safe accomodation.


What is Wadi Rum?
Wadi Rum is a protected desert wilderness far south of Jordan boasting of 75K+ hectares of red sand and rock shaped formations.

They say it has an uncanny resemblance to Mars.

It's been featured in movies like Transformers, Prometheus, Lawrence of Arabia, The Martian, The Last Daya on Mars.

It's a red rock wilderness with numerous inscriptions from Thamudic, Nabatean, Arabic scripts.

How to get here?
Wadi Rum is in the SW corner of Jordan.
Distance from Amman - 4 hours, 320 kms
Distance from Aqaba - 1.5 hours, 75 kms
Distance from Petra - 2 hours, 120 kms

From Amman airport you can fly into to Aqaba and then take a taxi.

or

Do a self-drive (rent a car from Amman) from Amman city or airport. (Most reccomended option)

or

Use a private operator (taxi) to drop you and pick you up. All of the camp sites have connections with taxi operators and can arrange for it. Average one way drop is JOD 100 or US$140.


What is the cost of staying there?
Depending on budget, let's break it down

Budget camps: starts JOD 15 (US$ 22)with breakfast
Mid to premium camps: JOD 50 (US$ 50) with breakfast
Luxury camps: JOD 200+ (US$ 290) with breakfast

Things to see and do here
Lawrence's springs
Khazali Canyon
Sunset Sites
Sand Dunes (desert safari)
Nabatean temple
Star Gazing
Camping / BBQ's

Do I need a 4x4?
Not necessarily, most camp sites are accessible by a normal car. If you particularly want to do a safari yourself, then a 4X4 is recommended.

Best time to visit?
mild temperature: March to May
pleasant temperature: Sep to Nov

My suggestion is to visit this place last week of Nov or early december. It's cold but with lesser tourists visiting feels like everything belongs to you.

Do you need cash?
Although most leading camp operators accept credit cards, it's good to carry some cash (JOD - most preferred or US$ or € are widely accepted)

Food choices?
Mostly arabic and largely meat (chicken, lamb). Limited options for vegetarians (you have salads, appetisers, fragrant rice and some grilled vegetables). All camps have a buffet that's recommended since you wouldn't have much options other than that.