Wahiba Sands (Sharqiya Sands)

رمال الشرقية

A vast expanse of rolling golden and amber dunes stretching across eastern Oman, home to Bedouin communities and desert camps. Visitors come for dune bashing, camel rides, star-filled nights and overnight stays in traditional tented camps.

Things to do

• Dune bashing by 4x4 — Ride over the towering amber dunes in a deflated-tyre 4x4 with an experienced Bedouin or camp driver.
• Sunset camel ride — Trek across the sands atop a camel led by a local guide as the dunes glow orange at dusk.
• Overnight in a desert camp — Stay in a traditional tented camp such as those near Al Wasil or Bidiyah for dinner, campfire and Bedouin hospitality.
• Climb a high dune for sunrise — Hike barefoot up a soft ridge before dawn to watch the sun rise over an endless sea of sand.
• Stargazing in the deep desert — With almost no light pollution, lie back after dark to see the Milky Way and countless stars over the dunes.
• Visit a Bedouin family — Many camps arrange visits to local Bedouin homes where you can share coffee and learn about desert life.
• Sandboarding down the slopes — Slide down the steep faces of the big dunes on a board provided by many of the camps.
• Wadi Bani Khalid detour — Combine your desert trip with the nearby palm-fringed pools and turquoise waters of this famous wadi.

Food to try

• Omani kahwa and dates — Cardamom-scented coffee served with sweet dates is the traditional Bedouin welcome at every camp.
• Shuwa — Marinated meat wrapped in palm leaves and slow-cooked underground in a sand pit, often served at desert feasts.
• Majboos (kabsa) — Spiced rice cooked with tender lamb, chicken or goat, a staple main course at camp dinners.
• Mishkak — Skewers of grilled marinated meat cooked over open coals, a popular campfire dish.
• Khubz rakhal — Paper-thin Bedouin flatbread cooked on a hot metal dome, eaten with honey or with meat.
• Halwa Omani — A fragrant, sticky sweet of rosewater, saffron and nuts served with coffee to end a meal.

Local customs & good to know

• Dress modestly — Cover shoulders and knees out of respect for the conservative Bedouin communities, especially away from tourist camps.
• Never drive the dunes alone — Deflate tyres, travel with a guide or in convoy and carry plenty of water, as getting stuck or lost is easy.
• Accept hospitality graciously — Take coffee and dates when offered with your right hand, as refusing can be seen as impolite.
• Book camps in advance and bring cash — Remote camps have limited connectivity and card facilities, so arrange stays ahead and carry Omani rial.

Nearby

• Al Mintirib — 74 km
• Wadi Bani Khalid — 83 km
• Ibra — 107 km
• Jebel Bani Jabir & Majlis al Jinn — 117 km