*** Discovering Oman ***

The country that stole our hearts

>> Middle East // Oman // Wahiba Sands Desert

Highlights: About Oman // Muscat // Nizwa // Jebel Akhdar // Wadi Shab // Wahiba Desert // Dimaniyat // Highlights

Wahiba Sands Desert: >> A true arabian desert with endless dunes

Camping the desert had been an absolute dream of mine for a long time, and oh boy did Oman deliver. The Wahiba Desert, also known as the Sharqiya Sands, spans approximately 12,500 square kilometers, the region is also inhabited by the Bedouin, who have lived here for generations, maintaining their traditional nomadic lifestyle. The best way to experience the desert by far is to stay in a camp.

There are plenty of camps to choose from in the Wahiba Desert, making the decision quite difficult. We booked one that looked comfortable, wasn’t too big, and offered a transfer—since we weren’t too keen on getting our 4x4 stuck in the soft terrain. This turned out to be a smart choice, as we later saw braver travelers get stuck and have to wait for locals to rescue them.

Our camp also offered the opportunity to try dune bashing, something neither of us had done before. If you don’t know what it is, simply put— you take a modified 4x4, put a fearless local behind the wheel, and surf the towering sand dunes. The experience was a lot of fun, and while the driver didn’t quite manage to scare the life out of us, we did tackle some incredibly steep dunes, where the horizon suddenly vanished and was replaced by the sand below. It felt almost surreal that the car didn’t topple over on some of the slopes!

We concluded our dune bashing with a panoramic viewpoint, watching the sun set over the vast expanse before us. It was incredible to witness day turn to night, as the familiar warmth of the sun faded and gave way to the desert’s freezing nighttime chill.

As you can imagine, the lack of light pollution allowed for an incredibly clear view of the night sky. Bundled up in our warm layers, we sat atop a nearby dune, watching the stars emerge one by one. Once night had fully set in, our camp offered a locally cooked dinner and a fire pit to enjoy afterward a perfect way to end the evening.

We nestled into our comfortable, glamping-style Bedouin tent, ready for our first night in the desert. It was incredible to see how cold it got overnight, and the extra blankets provided proved to be very welcome.

We made sure to set our alarms nice and early to experience the sunrise over this breathtaking landscape. I’m glad to report that we were not disappointed. Wrapped in warm layers, we sat and watched as the sun rose over the rolling desert hills, welcoming us into another day.

Our stay in the Wahiba Sands Desert was short and sweet—a lifelong memory I will always cherish. I will absolutely return to this incredible place for more and would love nothing more than to pitch a tent with a couple of friends and experience the solitude of the desert around a campfire.

Latest Update: Mar. 2025