So, get ready for a unique adventure in Wahiba Sands, also known as Sharqiya Sands, a breathtaking desert in eastern Oman that is approximately 180 km long and 80 km wide. Wahiba Sands is just 230 km south of Muscat, the capital, and it is one of the easiest to reach unspoilt deserts in the world. This vast, undulating sea of reddish dunes is famous for its beautiful nature and ever-changing landscape. Travellers who come here will enjoy an unforgettable experience and amazingly clear starry skies in the heart of the Arabian desert.
Natural context
Wahiba Sands is named after the Bedouin Al Wahiba tribe who have long inhabited this desert region. Like other tribes, they still live a traditional nomadic lifestyle, keeping their ancestral customs alive in harmony with nature. Al-Huyawah oasis is the main place where these desert tribes congregate and hold celebrations. The oasis is a natural shelter for wildlife and provides a cool refuge for visitors who are keen to enjoy the peaceful landscape.
Dunes in Wahiba Sands can stand over 100 m tall and are constantly shifting due to strong winds, creating a spectacular, dynamic landscape. Despite the extreme conditions, the desert is home to a surprising variety of wildlife that has adapted to life in the arid sand, including the Arabian sand gazelle, the desert fox, the Arabian eagle owl, and several snake and scorpion species.
How to get there
You can travel in an all-terrain vehicle from Muscat, the capital, to Bidiyah or Al Wasil, small towns that border Wahiba Sands and lead into the desert. The journey from Muscat to these towns takes about two to three hours by car. Once you are in Bidiyah or Al Wasil, you can book a tour or hire a 4×4 vehicle to explore the desert in safety and comfort. You can also book tours in Muscat and the other main cities in Oman, but this option is naturally more expensive.
Tips for visiting the desert in Oman
When you explore Wahiba Sands, remember that you need to be prepared for the extreme desert conditions. Many sure you take enough food and water, an extra can of fuel, sunscreen, suitable clothes, and camping equipment if you plan to camp out at night in the wild. However, by far the safest option, especially if you don’t have much experience at driving ATVs in deserts, is to book a night at a desert camp. These stays generally include return transport with an experienced driver/guide. Travellers should always respect nature on their trip and follow the instructions of local guides to guarantee a safe and responsible desert experience.
Other deserts in Oman
Oman has other impressive deserts that are also well worth exploring, apart from Wahiba Sands. The Rub’ al Khali Desert, whose name literally means “Empty Square”, covers 650,000 km2 (roughly the size of France) and has dunes that soar up to 250 m high. It is one of the largest deserts in the world and is a unique opportunity for daring adventurers to experience being in isolation, surrounded only by the grandeur of nature. It stretches into parts of Oman, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the United Arab Emirates, the latter being the best place to visit it.
Another fantastic destination is the Ramlat Tawq desert in Dhofar region in southern Oman, which is famous for its rocky plains and fascinating rock formations. It may be less well known than Wahiba Sands but it is just as impressive, with vast stretches of arid land inhabited by wildlife that has adapted to the harsh habitat.
Where to stay in Wahiba Sands
If you would like an authentic experience in the Omani desert, why not stay in a Bedouin camp in Wahiba Sands? Camps such as ‘Desert Nights Camp’ have basic, cosy facilities, and you sleep in traditional tents and enjoy Bedouin food. You will have the chance to see what life in the desert is like with your own eyes, dine outdoors under the stars, and do fun activities such as camel rides and sandboarding.
Some accommodation options on the outskirts of the desert, such as 1000 Nights Camp, have luxurious tents with modern comforts, such as comfortable beds and private bathrooms, if you would prefer a comfier and more relaxing trip to the dunes. The camp has spectacular views of the desert, and organises guided tours and cultural activities for its guests.
