Around 82% of the total area of Oman is covered by sand and desert. The vast part of this area is a plain with extremely dry and blistering environment, such that the survival of any human, plant or animal is impossible in this area. Bedouin tribes used to live in this area in the past but as the human life grew modern and as the human beings got more educated, the bedouins gradually started moving closer towards town and the border of the desert.
Towards the north-east of the above mentioned plain (known as empty quarter), there is another desert plain called Wahiba sands or Sharqiyah sands having a length of 180 km from north to south and a breadth of 80 km from east to west. Bedouins family from various tribes still resides in this part of the plain. The bedouins have been living in Wahiba for around 8000 years now. Among these tribes, anabah, Mawalik, Hikman, Amr and Wahiba are included.
Broadly speaking, there are two kinds of Bedouins. One of them is Nordic bedouins which are considered the true bedouins. These bedouins are wandering sheperds. The other one is known as fellahin and has chosen farming as a means of living. The latter mentioned bedouins are more civilized and settled.
The Nordic or true Bedouins have been acknowledged as raiding and looting any caravans that they encounter during the caravan’s journey. These bedouins have no proper home or shelter and they live in woven goat hairs’ tents.
The other kind of Bedouins, Fellahin are far more civilized than the true Bedouins. These Bedouins are remarkably welcoming and hospitable to the visitors. They keep their houses open to any visitor or passer-by. They appear to be educated and well versed. They have not only restricted their ways to farming and are increasingly joining the normal work force by doing civilized jobs. These Bedouins also assist people in a trekking holiday or desert safari as guides.
Oman offers two main kinds of adventurous activities to its tourists. One of them is Desert Safari which is being provided by many agents and tourism companies all over the country in different packages. The packages offered can be modified to suit the schedule or budget. These companies provide all kind of equipments, guides and transportation that is needed for a desert safari tour. People enjoy this tour as they get a chance to explore the true Bedouin culture in the most natural environment.
The other activity is a trekking holiday being further categorized as either desert trekking or mountain trekking. Mountain trekking season is from September to May with the peak time for trekking being from October to April though trekking above 1900 meters is possible throughout the year. Trekking in Oman will offer you a breathtaking view of beautiful landscape, desert, and mountain ranges with dramatically beautiful wadis and beaches. The experience of a night under stars is one of the unforgettably pleasure part of one’s life. Like desert safari tours, trekking holidays can be tailored to fit the schedule and budget.
Sheikh Al Zubari is an expert tourism consultant associated with Ministry of Tourism of Oman that specializes in Tourist Spots all over sultanate of Oman, Oman regions. The experience of safari tours, Bedouin and strait of hormuz in Oman is really special for foreigners and tourists.