Wadi Rum Desert Jordan. Another Reason to visit Jordan

by Gary Bembridge · October 1, 2015

Wadi Rum Desert Jordan

Looking for travel inspiration for your next vacation? Take a look at my series of reasons to visit Jordan. They will surprise, excite and make you want to go there. In this one: Wadi Rum Desert.

While you may not have visited Wadi Rum desert, there is a high chance that you have seen it. The area was used in many films and television shows including “Lawrence of Arabia” (1962), “Red Planet” (2000), “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” (2008), Prometheus (2012) and The Martian (2015).

I loved visiting and exploring Wadi Rum. A sprawling desert, with rich red and brown sand and rocks, transported me into what felt like an exotic and alien world. It was no surprise that it is often called upon to play the role of remote planets by the movie world. Dotted around the area are eco-tourist tented camps that visitors use as a base to go on 4×4 vehicle tours, hikes or camel rides.

People have lived here since prehistoric times and Bedouins still roam and inhabit it. Evidence of ancient inhabitants is found through carvings of camels and other scenes on some of the rocks. The region has strong connections to the United Kingdom through the writing and exploits of Lawrence of Arabia (T.E. Lawrence) who was in the region during the Arab Revolt in 1917 -1918 where they rose up against control of the Ottoman Empire.

I spent a memorable time sleeping in one of the tented camps and watching the sunset from the top of one of the hills before riding a camel back to the camp. An experience I can highly recommend.

Read more about Wadi Rum desert at wadirum.jo

Wadi Rum Desert Jordan

Rock Paintings Wadi Rum Desert Jordan

Tourists riding camels in Wadi Rum Desert Jordan

Inspired? Find out more about Jordan at VisitJordan.com

Based on my time in Jordan, there are ten things that I recommend you visit during the course of a one-week vacation. You can find out more on each by clicking on them to get more details, my thoughts and pictures:

Disclaimer: I travelled as a guest of Jordan Tourism Board on an 8-night trip exploring Amman, Petra, Wadi Rum, Jerash, the Dead Sea and other popular destinations.