Once again trying to beat the heat of the UAE summer, what is better than a weekend escape to the wonderful and lush green oasis of Salalah? On Thursday evening after work we take off from Dubai with Oman Air. Perfect timing to make the most out of the two days weekend and not having to skip work! 


After a quick two hours flight over the usual desert and mountains as we know them, we are all of a sudden over a huge cloud. Passing through it a refreshing rainy Salalah awaits us. The Khareef (monsoon) Season is the best time to travel to the southern region of Oman. It usually starts in June and goes until the end of September. During this time the area transforms into a beautiful feast for the eyes, mind, body and soul! If you live in the UAE or anywhere else in the Middle East and you have never been to Salalah now is your time! Ever since I have discovered this place I frequently head down to enjoy the beauty of nature! Water filled wadis, amazing waterfalls, mountains covered in green and camels grazing all the way to the beach!


And all that just around the corner!

The new airport opened a few years ago and makes the arrival very easy and hassle free. Visa is given on arrival for UAE residents with passport validity of at least six months and costs only 5 OMR (50 AED) Renting a car is the best advice I can give if you want to discover the area. With the off-road explorer guide book always in my luggage nothing can go wrong! Over the last few years a lot has happened in Salalah! New Hotels have opened up, streets are being extended but the charm stays the same! A great address nevertheless is the Rotana Resort. Like a little village on the beach a bit outside of the city it just feels like home away from home, the moment you step in!


So much to discover! Driving down the coastline to an area called Mughsayl you will reach the Marneef cave and the famous blowholes. Going up the mountains just an hour outside the city there are waterfalls and sinkholes and amazing views over Salalah and the beach! A great place to have dinner with a view is on mountain Iteen. Until the end of August the Tourism Festival is taking place organized by the Dhofar Municipality providing the thousands of visitors with some great entertainment – and fireworks every evening!


If you are an outdoor enthusiast don’t worry, there are plenty of hiking paths around the area for beginners as well as for the pros! Otherwise you can just enjoy a picnic at the wadis or waterfalls with the locals! People around here are very friendly, hospitable and welcoming!


There is even a Frankincense Museum in Salalah as Dhofar is very famous for its frankincense. Definitely something you have to take home! Al Baleed is right next to the museum and an UNESCO world heritage site which you can’t miss.
Wadi Darbat is a must if you are in Salalah. On the way you can visit the Taqa’a Castle and the Sumhuram Old village for some beautiful pictures! At Wadi Darbat you should rent a pedal boat and cruise around the wadi. Just around the corner you reach the Ayn Hamran waterfall. And if you didn’t get enough yet and have some time left head over to Mirbat. A sleepy fisher village which is just an hour’s drive away.


Even if you cannot make it during the Khareef season, Salalah is a great place for watersports. Especially if you are into scuba diving it is a must to take a trip and head over to the untouched and undiscovered Hallaniyat Islands to see the resident population of humpback whales, manta rays, sperm whales, dolphins and turtles.


As always the weekend is too short and it’s about time to go back. Not much time for relaxing but it still feels like a vacation! Boarding Fly Dubai this time which is taking us directly back to Dubai. What a great escape! ■


Words + Photos by: Denise Ostermann