Discover the Dhofar region

There are several options for getting to this remote region: Drive there from the north of Oman. Be aware that it takes around 1000 km from Muscat! Take a domestic flight from Muscat to Salalah, with the national airline Oman Air. Go directly from France by booking a flight to Salalah.

Once you're there, if you've come by plane, a hire car is essential for visiting the region.

One of the special features of Dhofar is its climate, particularly the khareef. Between the end of June and the beginning of September, part of southern Oman is affected by this monsoon from India. During these two months or so, the rains are more prevalent on the coast, in the region close to Salalah and particularly in the mountains bordering the city. This explains why this region is the greenest in the sultanate!

Dhofar's main city is Salalah. This coastal city is also the second largest city in the Sultanate of Oman after Muscat. You can easily devote a whole day to exploring Salalah during your stay in Dhofar. Don't miss the incense museum and the archaeological site of Al Balid, wander through the lush banana and coconut plantations, the old souk, and finally the beautiful beach and its superb sunsets.

It's impossible to visit this region without discovering this absolutely magnificent wadi. Allow at least half a day to enjoy this natural site in its entirety. During the khareef, the waterfalls are at their peak and the mountains of the wadi are covered with perfectly green vegetation. A superb spectacle!

It's also the time of year when you can see a large number of camels. Indeed, the locals are quick to bring their camels, which can eat as much as they like throughout the wadi. Wadi Darbat can be visited all year round, but is at its most spectacular between mid-June and early October.

Dhofar is home to numerous springs and waterfalls, although some are only visible during the monsoon season and the weeks that follow. Not to be missed: Ayn Garziz is the best place to bathe in the region, but also Ayn Umran, Ayn Khor (accessible by 4×4 or on foot via a hike) and Ayn Athum with several high and impressive waterfalls!

Dromedaries strolling along a white sandy beach with turquoise water: welcome to Mughsail! Around 60 kilometres west of Salalah (a 45-minute drive), Mughsail is a beach famous for its camels, which can be seen leisurely strolling along with their camel driver.

To the west of the beach, you can visit the Marneef Cave, as well as the blowholes. To see seawater gushing out of these holes in the ground, the sea has to be rough, which is often the case during khareef. The view of the beach from the path leading to these holes is magnificent.

Khor Rori is one of the must-sees in Dhofar, with its archaeological site, also known as Sumhuram after the ancient city that once stood there. This port city made its living mainly from trading and exporting the incense produced in the region. The site is located by the sea, slightly to the east of Taqah.

Apart from the archaeological site, the other attraction of Khor Rori is its magnificent beach. It is located on the archaeological site and is very clean and not very busy, as access is subject to a fee. You can see many Hemprich's gulls there. The easiest way to get there is by car from the ruins, as there are around 2 kilometres between the beach and the ruins.

It's the symbol of this region! Boswellia sacra" is the scientific name of the incense tree that has made the fortunes of Omani traders for over 2,000 years, and which grows in Dhofar. The Omanis harvest the resin, then dry it for three weeks. The hardened sap forms small pebbles that vary in colour from yellow to white. These are then burnt over glowing charcoal. The pleasant fragrance that escapes is reminiscent of the smell of the incense burners in our churches.