Spending a day deep inside Sharqiya/ Wahiba Sands in Oman is a must-to-do thing if you are traveling to Oman. There are numerous tour operators/ agencies who can book a desert safari for you. However, if you want to make the most of your money and time it is always better to do things by ownself. Well, before sharing our experiences and travel tips let’s know a little bit about Sharqiya/ Wahiba Sands.
Sharqiya Sands also Know as Wahiba Sands Just Before the Sunset, Oman 2019 
Sharqiya Sands also Know as Wahiba Sands Just After the Sunrise, Oman 2019
“The Sharqiya Sands formerly known as Wahiba Sands, or Ramlat al-Wahiba is a region of desert in Oman. The region was named for the Bani Wahiba tribe. The area is defined by a boundary of 180 kilometers (110 mi) north to south and 80 kilometers (50 mi) east to west, with an area of 12,500 square kilometers (4,800 sq mi). Royal Geographical Society has documented the diversity of the terrain, the flora and fauna, noting 16,000 invertebrates as well as 200 species of other wildlife, including avifauna. They also documented 150 species of native flora.” (Source: Wikipedia). The area is approximately 200 km from Muscat through route 23.
Getting There
The best option for traveling to any place in Oman is a rented car. You can rent your car directly from airport once you arrive and again return before your departure. It’s better to book your car online from any of the rental agency like rentalcars, airportrentals, etc. Instead of going to the desert straight from Muscat it’s better to take a route like Muscat-Sur-Bidiyah-Nizwa-Muscat or vise-versa (Check map in TIPS). However, this route may vary depending on your available time in hand or your overall plan. I would recommend you to reach to your camp by afternoon from wherever you start. Coordinate with your hotel/ resort representative and manage your timely arrival. Do not forget to coordinate for your guiding arrangement. It’s a must do thing. Do not just rely on the Google Map. Signposts are of great help here.
Our Experiences of Desert Safari
Our planned route for our trip was Muscat-Jebel Shams-Nizwa-Wahiba Sands-Sur-Bimmah Sinkhole-Muscat (Check map in the TIPS). Accordingly on 23 January 2019 we went to Sharqiya Sands from Nizwa. However, in the morning we drove to Jebel Al Akhdar. After returning from Jebel Al Akhdar we had our breakfast. Thereafter, we quickly packed up and went to Nizwa Souq. By 12:30 PM we have started for the Al Wasil. The road is amazing and the view en route was also spectacular. Well, we booked our room with Arabiyan Oryx Camp and reached there by 3:30 PM. Their guiding (signposting) arrangement was ok and anyone would be able to reach the camp from Al Wasil.
Signposting Towards the Camp 
Arabiyan Oryx Camp Entrance
Remarkable hospitality and professionalism of the staff of the camp amazed us at the first impression and it continued till the end. Here, I would make a special mention of Mr Arshad, the manager of the property. After doing necessary formalities we went our room and quickly got ready for the afternoon events. Meanwhile we fed our daughter and then started for enjoying the dune bashing and sunset over the sand dunes. Our guide Hamad was really an expert guy with good english communication skill. He gave us a wonderful experience and we will cherish our memories of the desert camp.
After all the bashing experiences we went to the view point for watching sunset. The sunset moments were magical and we all enjoyed it. Arwaa was so happy that she was running and crawling on the sand. We were so enchanted by the sunset view that even I forgot to take much photographs. Soon after the sunset we returned to the camp and started preparing for the evening.
After necessary refreshments we came to the common space in the centre of the camp. This common space had the arrangements of free tea, coffee and obviously free wifi. After spending some time there we moved for the dinner once it was served.
Common Space in the Centre of the Camp 
Delicious Dinner Served by the Camp
After the dinner camp authority arranged a musical session in the common space. We all enjoyed that musical session. Everyone in the room enjoyed the amazing music of arabia. Well, our good time came to an end for the night. We returned to our room from there and slept for the rest of the night. Though, I had plan to do some star trailing at night but fortunately/ unfortunately it was a moonlit night.
In the morning, I woke up early to see the sunrise over the pristine desert landscape. However, seeing the sunrise was not easy. I practically had one of the hardest experiences of my life that I encountered for photography. In the early morning there was a crust of almost iced sand over the sands. With every single step I was breaking the crust and my legs were going deep in the sand up-to the knee. After fierce struggle at last I could reach the top of the sand dunes and within few minutes saw the sun started appearing in the sky. It was a magical moment. There were only 4/5 people on the top. And we all were mesmerised with the beauty of the morning sun. All the pain that I endured was really meaningful. However, descent was quick and easy.
That’s How I Climbed to the Top 
Magical Sunrise Over Sharqiya Sands
I returned to our room, took shower and we all got ready for our next destination Wadi Bani Khalid. You may have a look on the article to know about the most beautiful wadi of Oman. Well, we had our breakfast then and thereafter we quickly depart saying good bye to all the amazing people of the Arabiyan Oryx Camp. Fortunately family of Mr Arshad was there in the camp and before departing we could say bye to his family as well. Thanks to Mr Arshad for his extraordinary support and the precious souvenir as well.
Mr Arshad Handing Over a Souvenir to Tahsin 
Thank You Arabiyan Oryx Camp
Special Travel Tips for Desert Safari
- Instead of directly going to Sharqiya Sands, take a circular route through Muscat-Nizwa-Bidiyah (Desert safari)-Sur-Muscat or vise versa. You may add or deduct places considering your priority.
- Try to reach the camp/ hotel/ resort before afternoon that means at least 3:30 PM. So that you do not miss the afternoon and evening activities.
- Clarify from your hotel/ resort/ camp regarding your guiding arrangements to reach there. Whether it’s free or paid! Some resort/ hotel/ camp charges 20 to 30 OMR for one way guiding arrangement. Thats huge. On the other hand some offers free guiding arrangements from some point at Al Wasil at some given time. If you miss to get the convoy timely you may have to manage paid guiding arrangements.
- If you are interested, you may select camps deep inside the desert like above 30/40 km. However, I have chosen Arabiyan Oryx Camp and I found that to be perfect. Not too isolated and again not again in the heart of the city. They had electricity, internet, hot water and all other amenities. So, before selecting your night stay arrangements please clarify every single details from the authority.
- Hotel/ resort/ camps are looking for business. So, they are providing all the services in exchange of money. Please, clarify and be specific; which service you want and be sure how much you gonna pay.
- In my opinion, taking a sunset ride is a must-to-do thing. However, you may also watch the sunrise. If you are ready to bear the pain of climbing the sandy hill in the freezing morning, you will be able to save some money. However, do not blame me for the pain though :).
- If you have time take a two days tour here. Please, I repeat take a two days tour if you have time. I missed it. And I am sincerely thinking of going there again and hopefully will take a two days tour. In 2nd day you will have options of going 80/90 km deep inside the desert and spend a day with Beduin. If you want, you may spend a night with them as well. On completion, you will be brought back to the camp driving through the junction between the coast of the Arabian sea on one side and the empty desert on the other side. I wish I would know about this option before planning my trip to Oman.
- You should get a scarf like any of the following for this safari in the desert. It’s really useful.
Hope this post will assist you in planning and executing an amazing desert safari in Sharqiya/ Wahiba Sands in Oman. If it does so, please share and let others to know about this post.
