Wadi Bani Khalid is the best known of all Oman’s wadis. It is a riverbed that floods to produce an extraordinarily beautiful scene. Oman has a large number of wadis, but the most famous is Wadi Bani Khalid, located among the Eastern Hajar Mountains, just a few kilometres north of Al-Kamil. This is one of the essential sights for visitors to Oman, as it is a way of discovering that, even in the middle of the desert, there are places where you can enjoy a dip in natural pools with crystal-clear water, and a landscape with palm trees and other species that bring a touch of green to the setting. It is a wonder of Nature that is a worthwhile experience during a sightseeing trip to Oman. They say that Wadi Bani Khalid is the great oasis of the Omani desert.
The natural context
Wadi Bani Khalid is one of Oman’s most accessible wadis, as the first natural pools that visitors come across are barely a five-minute walk from the car park. These natural pools become very crowded at weekends, so it is best to visit on a week day. A path leads from these pools of translucent water under a series of bridges over the canyon. Some stretches are wide, while others are narrower and embedded among the great walls of rock. At the end of the path is Moqal cave, and from there you can reach the river. And if it has rained recently, you may come across a waterfall that empties into a little pool. The route is truly breathtaking.
How to get to Wadi Bani Khalid
Access to Wadi Bani Khalid is relatively easy, as it is quite clearly signposted. If you are travelling from the south, you need to take road 23, and follow the signs. The journey takes around two hours. From Al Wasil, the gateway to the Wahiba Sands desert, the drive takes around 45 minutes. On the final stretch, you will come to a series of bends with several hamlets, and the road ends at the Wadi Bani Khalid car park, where you will need to leave your car and walk for a short distance.
From Muscat the trip to the wadi takes 3 hours, so many travellers take advantage of the opportunity to spend the night in the Mahiba Sands desert.
A tour of Wadi Bani Khalid
This is possibly the most popular of all Oman’s wadis, as it has water all year round. Hordes of travellers come on day trips here to discover the fountains and the natural swimming pools. Around the Moqal cave, you can also have a picnic and go for a dip. Having said that, you need to remember that the area becomes very crowded, especially at weekends. This wadi is located 260 kilometres from Muscat, and has natural swimming pools with translucent water. The landscape is dotted with palm trees, waterfalls, caves, and mountains.
Recommendations for your visit
During your visit to Wadi Bani Khalid, you will see signs telling you that you have to dress ‘appropriately’. This means that women must not wear a bikini, and that both men and women must wear a t-shirt when bathing.
There is a restaurant with views of the Wadi Bani Khalid swimming pools, which offers a buffet at a reasonable price, and also has vegetarian options with salads, dahl, vegetable curry, rice, and chips. The restaurant has toilets and a towel hire service.
The best time of year to visit Wadi Bani Khalid is between October and March, as the heat is less fierce than in summer.
It is also interesting to visit very early in the morning, a recommendation that you would do well to note if you are visiting at the weekend.
