Founded in 1975 as the first reserve in Jordan with the aim of attempting to rehabilitate the Arabian Oryx into the wild, Shaumari Wildlife Reserve is located in the Al-Azraq desert in the eastern part of Jordan, and is home to a number of wild animals and plant life including the Arabian Oryx, Ostriches, Persian Onagers, Gazelles and the Black Iris – the national flower of Jordan.
Although visitors are not allowed inside the protected area of the 22km² nature reserve, a small cabin is provided with information regarding the species that live in the area. Shaumari Wildlife Reserve is located close to Al-Azraq castle and Al-Azraq Wetlands reserve, which make great stops en-route to the reserve.
