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Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife

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Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)

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Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife is a unique animal sanctuary located near Jerash in northern Jordan. Established in 2011 through a partnership between the Princess Alia Foundation and the international animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS, the 110-hectare site provides a permanent home for animals rescued from crisis zones, illegal trade, or substandard conditions. Residents include lions, tigers, and bears, many of whom were evacuated from zoos in war-torn areas such as the Gaza Strip and Syria. The sanctuary is designed to allow animals to live in spacious enclosures that cater to their natural needs and behaviors. Al-Ma'wa serves not only as a refuge but also as a hub for environmental education and raising awareness about animal welfare in the region. Visitors can join guided tours to learn about the individual rescue stories of the animals and the broader challenges of international wildlife protection.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C8913162125272625211410
Rain mm494524134101172042

📋 Practical info

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Best season
Spring and autumn are generally the most rewarding seasons to visit, as the milder temperatures in the forested hills encourage the rescued animals to be more active outside.
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Best time of day
Late afternoon or designated morning tour times are handy, as large carnivores like lions and bears typically rest in the shade during the peak heat of the day.
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Etiquette
Visitors are strictly prohibited from attempting to feed, touch, or provoke the sanctuary's residents, and must always follow the directions given by the expert wildlife guides.
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What to bring
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes are strongly recommended for navigating the natural forest terrain, along with a camera equipped with a telephoto zoom lens.
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Getting there
The sanctuary is located in the hills near Jerash, accessible by car from Amman; entry typically requires joining a scheduled guided tour rather than wandering independently.
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What to expect
Bear in mind that these are rescued animals recovering from severe trauma, so they may hide or choose not to approach the fences; observe them quietly and manage your expectations.

Geography

Coordinates
32.31600, 35.85000

Facts

  • The sanctuary covers 110 hectares of forested land in the Sufa region.
  • It was co-founded in 2011 by Princess Alia Al Hussein and FOUR PAWS.
  • Many residents were rescued from zoos in war zones like Mosul and Gaza.
  • Lions, tigers, and Syrian brown bears are among the primary inhabitants.
  • The facility is the largest of its kind in the entire Middle East.
  • It provides educational programs focused on preventing illegal wildlife trade.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Temple of ArtemisTemple of Artemis5 km · NWExplore →
Dibbeen Forest ReserveDibbeen Forest Reserve8 km · WExplore →
AjlounAjloun11 km · SExplore →
Ajloun MountainsAjloun Mountains12 km · SExplore →
Royal Botanic GardenRoyal Botanic Garden12 km · WExplore →
Ajloun Forest ReserveAjloun Forest Reserve13 km · SEExplore →
King Talal DamKing Talal Dam13 km · SWExplore →
Ajloun CastleAjloun Castle14 km · SExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (3)

Samta🏺 historical

Ancient archaeological remains located in the hilly terrain of the Ajloun region.

Al-Khirbeh🏺 historical

Stone ruins of a historical settlement situated in the northern Jordanian highlands.

Khibet al Hadeer🏺 historical

Remains of an ancient structure overlooking the forested valleys of Jerash.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is Al-Ma'wa Wildlife Sanctuary?
A sanctuary for rescued wildlife, primarily providing a new home for big cats.
Can you visit the animals?
Yes, guided tours are offered to learn about the sanctuary project.
Where is the center located?
It is located near Jerash in Jordan.
Is it family-friendly?
Yes, a great learning opportunity for kids about animal welfare.
What to keep in mind?
You must book the visit times in advance online.
Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife: where is it located?
Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife is located in Jordan.
Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife: what is there to see?
Highlights include Samta, Al-Khirbeh, Khibet al Hadeer.
Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Sep, Oct.
Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife: why is it worth visiting?
Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife is a unique animal sanctuary located near Jerash in northern Jordan.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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Nearby cities

Ajloun — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Ajloun
Ajloun is surrounded by dense pine and oak forests.
Kufranja — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Kufranja
Kufranja is one of the green pearls of the Ajloun Mountains.
Al-Husn — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Al-Husn
Al-Husn is one of the most traditional towns in the north.
Irbid — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Irbid
Irbid is the economic hub of northern Jordan.
Ain Basha — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Ain Basha
Ain Basha is located on the edge of the capital on fertile land.
Deir Abi Saeed — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Deir Abi Saeed
Deir Abi Saeed is the central settlement of the Kourah district.
Al-Mashareq — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Al-Mashareq
Al-Mashareq is a predominantly agricultural settlement in northern Jordan.
Ar-Ramtha — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Ar-Ramtha
Ar-Ramtha is situated right on the Syrian border.
As-Salt — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
As-Salt
As-Salt was once the most important settlement in Jordan.
Fuheis — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Fuheis
Fuheis is a picturesque town northwest of Amman, inhabited almost exclusively by Jordanian Christians.
Mahis — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Mahis
Mahis is situated on the hills above the Jordan Valley.
Al-Hashimiyah — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Al-Hashimiyah
Al-Hashimiyah is an emerging city in the Zarqa region.
Russeifa — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Russeifa
Russeifa connects the cities of Amman and Zarqa into a massive metropolitan area.
Zarqa — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Zarqa
Zarqa is the primary industrial center of Jordan.

History & landmarks

Temple of Artemis — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Temple of Artemis
The Temple of Artemis dominates from one of the highest points in Jerash.
🗺️
South Theater of Jerash
The largest theater in the ancient city of Jerash impresses with its exceptional acoustics.
Oval Plaza — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Oval Plaza
This asymmetrical plaza, surrounded by majestic Ionic columns, served as a connecting element between the main street and the Temple of Z…
Arch of Hadrian — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Arch of Hadrian
This massive triumphal arch was erected in honor of the visit of the Roman Emperor Hadrian in 129 AD at the southern entrance of Jerash.
King Abdullah I Mosque — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
King Abdullah I Mosque
A distinctive landmark of Amman, known for its magnificent blue mosaic dome.
Umayyad Palace — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Umayyad Palace
This ruin complex on the Citadel hill dates from the 8th century.

Nature

King Talal Dam — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
King Talal Dam
The largest reservoir in the hills of Jerash plays an important role in the irrigation of the Jordan Valley.
Zarqa River — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Zarqa River
An important river system in northern Jordan that flows through steep valleys and feeds the King Talal Dam.

More places

Jerash — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Jerash
One of the best-preserved Roman provincial towns in the world, often called the Pompeii of the East.
Dibbeen Forest Reserve — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Dibbeen Forest Reserve
This hilly reserve protects the last remaining stands of the rare Aleppo pine in the region.
Ajloun Mountains — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Ajloun Mountains
A densely forested and green mountain region in the north, forming a stark contrast to the desert.
Royal Botanic Garden — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Royal Botanic Garden
The Royal Botanic Garden of Jordan protects native flora while offering stunning views of the King Talal Dam.
Ajloun Forest Reserve — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Ajloun Forest Reserve
A dense forest area of evergreen oaks that provides an important refuge for deer, wild boars, and rare bird species.
Ajloun Castle — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Ajloun Castle
A 12th-century Islamic fortress built by Saladin's nephew to protect the region against the Crusaders.
King Abdullah Park (Irbid) — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
King Abdullah Park (Irbid)
A large and vibrant park in northern Jordan.
Al-Hassan Industrial Estate — Al-Ma'wa for Nature and Wildlife (Jordan)
Al-Hassan Industrial Estate
One of the most important industrial zones in northern Jordan, attracting companies from various sectors.