Be honest: when you think of Oman, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Frankincense? Camels? Perhaps a vague idea of endless deserts and sultans from fairytale books? Many of us still categorise the Sultanate of Oman as „exotic, far away and complicated“.
But we need to talk. Because something exciting is happening here at Campcruisers. We're not seeing a slight increase, we're seeing a real Run on our vehicles in Oman. And quite rightly so.
The Sultanate on the Arabian Peninsula is transforming itself from an insider tip into an absolute dream destination for the off-road community. Why? Because it is one of the safest, most hospitable and scenically spectacular countries in the world - and because it offers the perfect terrain for our 4WD campers.
Forget the package holiday at the resort. Fasten your seatbelt. We'll take you on a journey through wadis, over dunes and up the highest mountains in Arabia. And we'll explain why our local partners make the difference that makes this trip so relaxing.
Displacement instead of living space: your vehicle
Let's start with the most important thing: The car. Anyone renting a campervan in Europe often has to struggle across the Alps in underpowered diesel vans. In Oman, the clocks tick differently. Here, petrol is cheap and engine capacity is not a sin, but a necessity.
Our fleet in Oman doesn't consist of rocked-out boxes, but of vehicles that put a grin on the face of every off-road fan. We are talking about Toyota Land Cruisers and Toyota Prados.
These are not soft SUVs, these are real off-road vehicles with gear reduction, differential locks and - very importantly - large engines. V6 or V8 is standard here. Why? Because you need this power when you're climbing the steep gravel tracks of the Jebel Sham or ploughing through the deep sand of the Wahiba Desert.
The Campcruisers advantage: flexibility is king
What our customers tell us again and again is how enthusiastic they are about our local partners. We know how annoying rigid opening hours at car hire companies can be. Your plane lands in Muscat at 03:00 in the morning? No problem.
This is our standard in Oman:
Top condition: The vehicles are usually only 2 to 3 years old. This means modern safety technology, reliable air conditioning systems (vital!) and a fresh driving experience.
24/7 service: Pick-up and drop-off around the clock. No matter when you land or take off, someone is there for you.
Free transfer: You don't have to deal with taxi drivers. The transfer from Muscat airport to the hire station and back is included. You will be picked up, given a briefing and off you go.
The roof tent on top is your penthouse room with the best view in the world. Folded out in 5 minutes, mattress and sleeping bag are already inside. It couldn't be easier.
Wild camping: the last great feeling of freedom
Wild camping is becoming increasingly difficult in Europe. Checking apps, scanning prohibition signs, fear of parking tickets. In Oman?
Wild camping is allowed. Everywhere. (Well, almost everywhere. Not in cities or on private property, but the rest of the country is your playground).
Find a secluded bay on the Indian Ocean? Park the Land Cruiser, pitch the tent.
You see a great spot on the edge of a canyon? Your sleeping spot for tonight.
Want to sleep in the middle of the dunes? Let the air out of your tyres, drive in and enjoy the peace and quiet.
Oman is one of the safest countries in the world to travel to. The crime rate is negligible. The locals are more likely to invite you in for coffee (kahwa) and dates than to scare you away. This feeling of absolute freedom, coupled with safety, is what makes travelling to Oman so unique.
What Oman has to offer: Your route
Oman has a more varied landscape than almost any other country of its size. Here is a rough timetable of what you can experience with your 4WD campervan.
1st Muscat: The gentle introduction
Start in the capital. Muscat is not a skyscraper hell like Dubai. It's white, flat and elegant. Visit the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque (an architectural masterpiece!) and the Muttrah Souq, to stock up on spices and incense. Top up your supplies here at the supermarket (Lulu Hypermarket is your best friend).
2. down the coast to Bimmah Sinkhole
Drive southwards. The first stop is often the Bimmah Sinkhole, a huge limestone hole with turquoise-blue water. A dip in the cool water is a must. The coastal road repeatedly offers turn-offs to wild beaches („White Beach“).
3. wadi Shab and wadi Bani Khalid
Oman is the land of wadis (river valleys). Wadi Shab you explore on foot and by swimming. You walk through a gorge until you have to swim to reach a cave with a waterfall. It's magical.
Wadi Bani Khalid is more comfortable, with large emerald green pools lined with palm trees. Here you can drive almost right up to the water's edge.
4th Ras al Jinz: The turtles
The turtle reserve is located in the far east. Green sea turtles come to the beach here to lay their eggs. Book a guided tour in the evening or early morning. It is a moving experience to see these prehistoric giants in the wild.
5 Wahiba Sands: Your desert adventure
Now it's getting serious for the 4×4. Let the air out of the tyres at a petrol station (to approx. 1.2 to 1.5 bar), switch on the four-wheel drive and drive into the desert. The Wahiba Sands (Sharqiyah Sands) are a huge dune landscape.
Don't go too deep if you're inexperienced, or take a guide for the first part. But just a few kilometres off the road, you'll be on your own. A campfire under the starry desert sky, absolute silence and the sunrise over the red dunes in the morning - you'll never forget it.
6 The Hajar Mountains: Jebel Shams and Jebel Akhdar
From hot sand to cool heights. The Jebel Shams is the highest mountain in the country at over 3000 metres. It is known as the „Grand Canyon of Arabia“. The track there is steep and gravelled - this is where you will love the powerful engine and the ground clearance of your Land Cruiser.
Once at the top, the view is breathtakingly deep. Spend the night on the edge of the canyon (it gets cold at night, bring a jumper!). Do the „Balcony Walk“, a hike along the rock face to an abandoned village.
7th Nizwa: Pure culture
On the way back to Muscat, stop off in Nizwa. The old capital has a magnificent fort and one of the oldest souqs. The famous cattle market takes place here on Fridays - a spectacular, loud and authentic spectacle.
Food & drink: A culinary oasis
People who camp like to barbecue. But leave the gas cooker cold sometimes. Omani cuisine is a melting pot of Arabic, Indian and African influences.
Coffee shops: These are not cafés in the European sense, but small roadside restaurants, often run by Indians or Pakistanis. Here you can get fantastic food for 1-2 euros. Curry, dal, fresh flatbread.
Shuwa: The Omani speciality. Lamb marinated in banana leaves and spices and cooked in an earth oven for up to 48 hours. The meat falls off the bone. Be sure to try it if you get the chance (often in restaurants in Nizwa or Muscat).
Mishkak: Grilled meat skewers, often sold at street stalls. Perfect as a snack.
Dates and Kahwa: You will be offered coffee (with cardamom, without milk/sugar) and dates everywhere. Accept it, it's a sign of hospitality. Tip: Shake your small cup gently if you don't want a refill, otherwise they will keep topping it up!
Alcohol consumption: Please note that Oman is a Muslim country. Alcohol is only available in licensed hotels or you can buy it in duty-free when entering the country (check the current import limits, usually 2 bottles or 24 cans of beer). Drinking in public is taboo. But a cold beer on a lonely beach in front of your campervan in the evening? Doable, but remain discreet.
How to get there: How do I get there?
Travelling is easier than you might think. Muscat (MCT) has an ultra-modern, new airport.
From Germany:
Directly: Oman Air flies directly to Muscat from Frankfurt and Munich. Flight time approx. 6.5 to 7 hours. Oman Air often offers excellent service and legroom. Lufthansa also offers seasonal direct flights.
Changeover: Alternatively with Emirates (via Dubai), Qatar Airways (via Doha) or Etihad (via Abu Dhabi). Often a little cheaper, but the journey time is longer.
From the UK:
Oman Air flies direct from London Heathrow (LHR). British Airways also offers connections.
From Manchester or Birmingham, usually with a stopover in the Emirates or Frankfurt.
From France:
There are direct flights from Paris (CDG) with Oman Air. Air France also flies, often as a codeshare.
From the USA:
There are no direct flights here. The best route is usually via the major hubs in the Gulf (Doha, Dubai) or via European hubs such as Frankfurt or London. Expect a journey time of 14-18 hours depending on the connection.
Practical tips for the road trip
Visa: For most Europeans and Americans, the visa is often free for stays of up to 14 days (be sure to check the current regulations on the official „Royal Oman Police“ e-visa page before travelling, as this may change). For longer trips, simply apply for an e-visa online.
Best time to travel: The summer (May to September) is brutally hot (40-50 degrees). The ideal time for campers is October to April. Then you have 25-30 degrees during the day and a pleasant 20 degrees at night (cooler in the mountains).
Clothing: Respect the culture. Shoulders and knees should be covered in wadis and cities. Bikinis are difficult on public beaches and a no-go in the wadi (wear shorts and a T-shirt here). It's more relaxed on secluded beaches when wild camping, but always have something to throw on.
Navigation: Google Maps works well. Download the maps offline. Even better for off-road tracks: the app „Gaia GPS“ or „Maps.me“.
Plug: Oman usually uses the British plug type G (three rectangular pins). Do not forget the adapter!
Conclusion: The adventure awaits
Oman is more than just sand and sun. It's a country that slows you down. When you drive through the empty landscape with your roof tent on the roof of a Land Cruiser, hear the V6 humming and know that you can sleep wherever you want tonight - that's the ultimate campcruiser feeling.
The fact that our local partners reduce the organisational stress to zero with their flexibility and top vehicles is the icing on the cake. You land, pick up the keys and the adventure begins.
So, what are you waiting for? The desert is calling, and the best time to travel is now. Take a look at our available vehicles for Oman and secure your slot before the insider tip is no longer an insider tip.
See you in the sand!
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