Ghor Al-Safi | Dead Sea

Information

Landmark: Ghor Al-Safi
City: Dead Sea
Country: Jordan
Continent: Asia

Ghor Al-Safi, Dead Sea, Jordan, Asia

Ghor Al-Safi is an agricultural and industrial town located at the southern tip of the Dead Sea within the Karak Governorate of Jordan. It sits at an elevation of approximately 390 to 400 meters below sea level, functioning as a primary hub for the Arab Potash Company and local farming communities.

Visual Characteristics

The landscape is characterized by a stark contrast between vast, green irrigated vegetable fields and the arid, salt-crusted mudflats of the receding Dead Sea. The soil is predominantly alluvial silt and clay, enriched by minerals from the surrounding mountains. To the east, steep sandstone and limestone cliffs of the Southern Ghors rise sharply, displaying deep red and brown hues. The area is marked by extensive evaporation ponds used for mineral extraction, which appear as gridded, turquoise and white industrial blocks.

Location & Access Logistics

The town is situated 120 kilometers south of Amman and 35 kilometers south of the Dead Sea resort zone. Access is via the Dead Sea Highway (Route 65), which bisects the town. Public transport consists of white service taxis and minibuses departing from the Karak city center or the South Terminal in Amman. There is no formal paid parking; visitors use gravel shoulders or paved areas within the town center and at the Safi Kitchen facility.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Ghor Al-Safi is geologically part of the Dead Sea Rift Valley, formed by the tectonic separation of the African and Arabian plates. Archaeologically, it is identified as the biblical Zoar, one of the "Cities of the Plain." It has been continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age due to its perennial water source from Wadi Hasa. During the Byzantine period, it served as a major center for sugar production, utilizing extensive irrigation systems to cultivate sugarcane.

Key Highlights & Activities

Educational tours of the Safi Kitchen and the Safi Crafts cooperative focus on traditional indigo dyeing and local food production. The Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth displays archaeological finds from the nearby Sanctuary of Lot. Hiking is possible in the adjacent Wadi Hasa, which drains into the Ghor. Industrial observation of the potash evaporation process is conducted from designated roadside overlooks.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The town center contains basic infrastructure including small grocery stores, pharmacies, and local eateries. Restrooms and 5G cell phone signal are available at the Museum at the Lowest Place on Earth and the Safi Kitchen. There are no luxury hotels; the nearest high-end accommodations are 35 kilometers north. Public shade is minimal outside of the town's built-up areas.

Best Time to Visit

The optimal period for visiting is from October to April, when daytime temperatures remain between 20°C and 28°C. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 45°C, making outdoor activity difficult. Photography is best in the early morning to capture the light hitting the eastern escarpment or at sunset to view the reflection of the Judean Mountains in the southern salt pans.

Facts & Legends

Ghor Al-Safi is home to the "Sanctuary of Lot," a Byzantine monastic complex built around a cave where the biblical figure Lot and his daughters allegedly sought refuge. A unique technical fact is that the area is one of the most fertile agricultural zones in the Middle East despite its hyper-arid climate, due to the high water table and nutrient-dense silt deposited by seasonal floods from the Karak plateau.