Wahiba Sands (Jan 2011) | Oman - Lonely Planet Forum

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Sat, 22 Jan 2011 13:05:38 +0000

I'm getting conflicting advice regarding driving into Wahiba Sands. I've got some experience and have driven around Oman several times (mainly in the mountains) but have followed a guide into the sands to Nomadic camp last year which was great fun but this time I want to drive into the sands and then find a secluded camp spot myself for the night and return back the same way the next morning.

I'm told there is a 'track' at least up to 1000 nights and is fine with a 4 x 4. Is this true?
Does this 'track' go any further beyond 1000 nights?
Is there another route in that is advisable or more suitable?

I understand all the implications of driving into Wahiba and going off piste so to speak!

Thanks

ONLINE

Tue, 15 Feb 2011 22:42:04 +0000

There's a track to 1000 nights and a couple of other camps and I'd say you'd be hard pressed to get lost or stuck on it. Venturing off the track to find a secluded spot is a different issue, if I were you I would make sure not to go so far so in case you do get stuck (which happens) you can walk to the track and find somebody to pull you out. Take a rope. I don't think it's an issue to camp somewhere between the dunes (not sure if it's technically legal but then as long as the ROP doesn't see you...) but I have never heard of anyone doing it...

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ONLINE

Sat, 05 Mar 2011 16:21:41 +0000

Aki2006

Thanks for the info and advice.

Are you saying its actually against the law/rules to wild camp in the desert?

I've camped discreetly all over the country (mainly in the mountains and never had any problem.

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Sat, 12 Mar 2011 04:29:22 +0000

No, I said I don't know if it's legal or not. But with so many things in Oman, probably nobody knows... :-)

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