9 Things to Know Before Camping in Oman

1. No Infrastructure = Wild Camping

In Oman, camping is extremely popular. It is all the more surprising that there is not a single established campground in the entire country. That means that wild camping is the only option. Luckily, wild camping is perfectly legal in most of Oman, so you can put up your tent pretty much anywhere. Only around Muscat, where the population density is comparatively high, will you have to drive a bit outside of town.

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2. Temperatures vary

First things first: camping during the Omani summer, i.e., from May to September, is something you should think about twice. Daytime temperatures regularly rise above 40°C-45°C, and even at night, it can be scorchingly hot. Without any air movement or air conditioning, you will be in for a night of little sleep. For that reason, even Omanis avoid camping during this time of year.

In winter, on the other hand, daytime temperatures are much more pleasant. Additionally, with nightfall, temperatures begin to plummet, particularly in the mountains. If you travel during this time of year, it is advisable to bring an extra blanket and some warmer clothes for a camping trip

A general rule to follow is that if you are looking for warmth, sleep in a wadi (but safely!). If you are trying to cool down, venture as high up the mountains as you can.

3. Check for rain

During our 1-month-long trip in April, there was not the slightest hint of rain. However, during the winter months, Oman does experience the occasional rainfall. More often than not, these will be vicious rainstorms where the sky truly opens up. In turn, that means that a lot of water will have to find its way through a parched landscape.

Wadis are dry riverbeds for most of the year. After heavy rains, however, they can fill with a stream of gushing water within minutes. That is why you should always keep an eye on the weather forecast when camping anywhere near a wadi.

Avoid camping in the riverbed at all costs. Always make sure to stay above the waterline. In Oman, this can be a question of life and death.

4. The right vehicle

Arguably, the best campsites are those where you won't meet anyone else. But to reach those spots in Oman, you do need a 4x4 with high ground clearance. Such a vehicle is necessary to safely venture onto the remote trails in both mountains and deserts. 

For example, if you intend to spend a night under the stars in the Wahiba Sands or Rub al-Khali deserts, make sure you pick a reliable vehicle such as a Toyota Land Cruiser.

There are several reputable car rental companies in Oman. However, few of them rent out vehicles with camping equipment. The company we went with was iDrive4x4. If you want to book with them, mention our discount code LUCAS100 to get €100 off any vehicle booking of more than 7 days.

5. Water

Managing water is one of the most essential elements of desert travel. Always, absolutely always, take more water than you think you will need. In towns, make sure to buy bottled water and always keep a store of at least 10-20 liters somewhere in the car. On a hot day, each person will easily drink several liters.

When camping, carry a large water canister in addition to your drinking water. There are taps throughout the country where you can refill your water canisters. Local playgrounds, gas stations, some restaurants, and mosques have public restrooms and facilities where you can refill your water (sometimes even filtered drinking water) free of charge.

6. Minimal facilities

As Oman lacks a 'Western-style' camping infrastructure, you must not expect to ever camp near toilets or showers. Instead, you have to be prepared to do 'your business' in the wild. For that, each rental company will supply you with a shovel.

Additionally, iDrive4x4 supplied us with a portable shower. With that, you fill up a water bag and enjoy a refreshing shower in the evening.

Luckily, despite not having a camping infrastructure, Oman does have a widespread network of public toilets. All of these come with a water tap, where you can fill up your water canisters and shower bags as well.

7. Equipment quality

Most of the camping equipment in Oman is imported from China. Sadly, it is not always of good quality. Even reputable rental companies have to rely on this gear, as it is the only kind of product available. That means that some parts of the supplied equipment might be less useful or durable than you would expect them to be.

In our case, the rooftop tent, for example, worked very well. The awning, on the other hand, had the worst possible design we have ever seen. Not only was it impossible to put up with just two people, but it was also almost blown away by the wind, despite only a light breeze.

8. Campfires

We know of no restrictions on lighting campfires when camping in Oman. And why would there? There is little vegetation to burn, so causing a wildfire is almost impossible. At the same time, that means that you can rarely collect any fuel for a fire. There simply aren't enough dead trees around.

Of course, you can buy firewood at fuel stations, but this type of wood is generally expensive and of low quality. It burns quickly, so a campfire is a short joy.

9. Never leave trash

It pains us to say, but Oman does have a trash problem. This is not because of international tourists but mostly because of locals not treating their own country with respect. However, as visitors to such beautiful places, it is our task to always leave them cleaner than we found them. That means, whenever you camp anywhere, make sure to pack all your own trash, and if possible, collect any trash you find lying around. The next camper will definitely thank you.

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