Wildlife & Nature

Location: 17.113222, 54.364951

The Ain Athum spring is an interesting place, which can be reached on the eastern side of Dhofar. So many camels live here at times that one should drive carefully because the animals like to run on the street and the dense shrub vegetation makes it difficult to see them. A footpath leads from the parking lot to a huge rock overhang with rounded stalactites, from which a waterfall falls into the pond during the Monsoon season. The place is a paradise for birds.

Location: 17.097623, 54.281204

Ayn Hamran is a natural water spring in south Oman. The site is located at the foot of the Qara Mountains. A plantation with flame-trees and a banyan fig tree embellish the driveway. Tall trees provide shade and a habitat for many species of birds. Ain Hamran is not only known as a source of fresh water, but also for historians and archaeologists: around 1 km from the spring, there are unremarkable ruins of an ancient site dating back to 450 BC. Ain Hamran has yet another sensation to offer: Dr. Zarin, a famous archaeologist excavated in 1992/1993 a so-called “red spring” from Ayn Hamran ruins, a presumably pre-Islamic Christian communion goblet, which leaves room for speculations.

Location: 17.148133, 54.178220

Ayn Sahalnoot (also Ain Sohanawt) is located a few kilometers from Salalah further north, at the foot of the mountains. There is a parking lot in front of the narrow rock gorge, but one can also drive into the narrow gorge. Beautiful rock formations can be seen there and there are numerous picnic benches along the route. At the end of the route a beautiful, deep swimming pool can be seen, which is very shady and atmospheric. Bird lovers can discover the rare mountain stilts (Motacilla cinerea) here.

Location: 17.053484, 54.609242

In the narrow coastal plains of Dhofar region under the influence of the monsoons, a particular tree thrives, that otherwise only be present in less hotter savanna regions of Africa and would not survive anywhere else in Arabia; the baobab (Adansonia digitata). The eye-catching representative from the family of the cotton tree remains leafless for most of the time, which is characteristic to its appearance. It forms large, white flowers that only bloom for about two days, and oval, velvety fruits that contain an extremely high amount of vitamin C. These baobab trees can only be seen scattered in certain patches of the Dhofar Mountains.

Camels, the “ships of the desert,” have played a vital role in the region over thousands of years. Camels have influenced all aspects of daily desert life. Besides being a means of travel, food and shelter, camels are also used for entertaining, celebrating and competing in festivals and special events. The relationship between the Omanis and camels is deep rooted. Oman is one of among the Gulf countries that accords special status to camels. Camel race is a local sport eagerly followed by the public and its raising is seen as a sign of pride as it is linked to the Omani citizens since ancient times. The most important of which are the annual camel race in the Governorate of Dhofar and in the Governorates of Al Batinah, A’Sharqiyah, A’Dhahirah and A’Dakhiliyah.

Location: 19.652940, 57.656251

Duqm rock garden is one of the rare natural touristic destinations located in Wusta, about 500km from Muscat. The 3km² large rock garden is a unique area of ​​geological importance which is characterized by formations and stunning rock sculptures of limestone rocks carved from water and wind over millions of years. The site is now internationally acknowledged as one of the world’s rare natural rock gardens, becoming one of the top 25 sites of geological and scientific importance in Oman. The garden attracts tourists, geologists and researchers since recently due to its unique and distinctive rock formations.

Location: 22.426426, 59.826822

Oman is home to several important nesting sites for four different species of turtle: the endangered Green Turtle, the Olive Ridley Turtle, the Loggerhead Turtle, and the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle. Oman has several nesting areas for these species; predominantly in Ras Al Hadd, Ras Al Jinz, Masirah islands, shores of Dhofar and Daymaniyat Island.

Please Note: Our turtle watching tours are very limited, due to our concern towards the environmental protection of nesting grounds of Oman.

Location: 17.246400, 53.888450

Wadi Ayun is famous for its rock pools with deep blue water surrounded by sedges. The wadi is located in South Oman. Wadi Ayun is only accessible by a 4×4 vehicle. Climbing down into the wadi requires some climbing skills, as there is no recognizable path through the steep rock. The pools, which according to the belief also feed the groundwater of the Ubar / Shishr oasis, look most beautiful in the morning light.

Location: 22.615563, 59.093845

Wadi Bani Khalid is one of the best-known wadis in the Sultanate of Oman. Its stream maintains a constant flow of water throughout the year. Large pools of water and boulders are scattered along the course of the wadi. As a geographical area, the wadi covers a large swathe of lowland and the Hajar Mountains. Wadi Bani Khalid is ideal for those who wants a bit of a hike and a swim in Oman.

Location: 17.104808, 54.452751

Located in the eastern side of Salalah, Wadi Darbat is the most beautiful Wadi, surrounded by high mountains, which narrow to a gorge to create the Wadi. What immediately catches the eye is the dense vegetation covers the entire valley, and the wadi holds water all year round. In the monsoons, it becomes tropical; wet meadows form, Waterfowls, migratory birds roam in the lakes and pools. After all, so much water accumulates here that Arabia’s largest waterfall forms and plunges from the upper Wadi edge in several cascades up to 30 m high, a total of 170 m deep. In the winter months, however, Wadi Darbat is more like a dreamy African savannah with full of acacias in the tall yellow grass. Only the many camels don’t really fit the African cliché.

Location: 17.932245, 55.527384

The 20 km long Wadi Shuwaymiah boasts a breathtaking and dramatic beauty. It is located around 300 km from Salalah on the coastal road to Duqm. The initially wide wadi narrows more and more, and the limestone cliffs soon rise higher and higher into an impressive canyon. After 10 km a real palm oasis nestles on the steep mountain slope. There is an idyllic pond surrounded by tall reeds, where you can also swim. Different rock formations including Stalactites, fossils found in the wadi rocks, lovely vegetation with palm trees, grasses and flowering shrubs spread around the wadi bed makes the place more attractive to the tourists. In this spectacular, quiet natural setting, you can camp wonderfully and maybe even discover the greenish-colored Waaliataove (Treron waalia), which only sited in a few places outside Dhofar in Arabia.

Location: 17.601748, 55.255984

Wadi Zanaq (Khor Sanaq) is located in southern Oman, around 200km away from Salalah. Due to its remote location, the place was only popular among the locals and is a well-kept secret of the natural beauty of south Oman. Lying adjacent to a bay at the beach, Khor Sanaq offers stunning views of the surrounding with deep turquoise water pools, date palms and mountain cliffs around it.