Regions

A night in the desert – When admiring the diversity of the Omani landscape, people sometimes forget that Oman is a desert state. In fact, more than 80% of the Omani territory is covered with sand. For anyone who wants to explore the desert, Wahiba Sands would be the optimal choice.

The exclave of Musandam is Oman’s northernmost governorate, separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE and home to some of the Sultanate’s most dramatic landscape. Here, 2000m high mountains meet the sea with stunning fjords and crystal-clear waters making this area one of the best diving and snorkelling spots in the world.

Although Dhofar lies over 1,000 kilometres from the capital city of Muscat, planning a trip is easy with daily flights between Muscat and Salalah and direct connections from other Arab Gulf states. Those with some spare time may also opt to drive the coastal road to Salalah, traversing through Al Wusta and seeing some of Oman’s most remote yet breath-taking beaches.

Flanked on the east by the Arabian Sea, on the west by the Rub Al Khali – The Empty Quarter – and by Oman’s most southern governorate – Dhofar – to the south, Al Wusta covers a large area in the middle of the Sultanate.

Located in the north-west of Oman and bordering A’Dhahirah, Al Buraimi is a semi-desert plain which descends from the southern slopes of the western Al Hajar Mountains. Ruins in the area, such as those found at the villages of Sharm and Madhbah, highlight the existence of ancient trade routes.

Al Batinah is an expansive coastal area running parallel to the magnificent Hajar Mountain range in north-eastern Oman. It is home to many beautiful wadis and villages, such as Wadi Mistal and Wakan Village, and attractions such as Nakhal Fort and the hot springs of Ain Al Thowara.

Al Batinah is an expansive coastal area running parallel to the magnificent Hajar Mountain range in north-eastern Oman. It is home to many beautiful wadis and villages, such as Wadi Mistal and Wakan Village, and attractions such as Nakhal Fort and the hot springs of Ain Al Thowara.

Consisting of the governorates of North and South Ash Sharqiyah, this part of Oman is widely considered the geographical jewel of the Sultanate. It is here that stunning coastlines give way to the unique ecosystem that is Sharqiyah Sands, making this region a paradise for adventurers and explorers.

Consisting of the governorates of North and South Ash Sharqiyah, this part of Oman is widely considered the geographical jewel of the Sultanate. It is here that stunning coastlines give way to the unique ecosystem that is Sharqiyah Sands, making this region a paradise for adventurers and explorers.

Once situated in prime position on the ancient trade routes, A’Dhahirah in Oman’s west is traditionally the bridge between Oman’s stunning mountain ranges and the neighbouring UAE and Saudi Arabia. Archaeology and history play a major role in this region, which extends all the way from the Al Hajar Mountains to the Empty Quarter known as Rub Al Khali.

Ad Dakhiliyah, meaning ‘The Interior’, is a land-locked governorate comprised of a portion of the Al Hajar Mountain range and eight separate districts: Adam, Al Hamra, Bahla, Bidbid, Izki, Manah, Nizwa and Samail.