Middle East

Salalah & the Dhofar Region

Salalah is Oman’s second largest city and the administrative capital of Dhofar. Dhofar is dramatically different from the rest of Oman, or for that matter anywhere in the Gulf, mainly because it is the only region in the Gulf that receives the annual monsoon showers, locally known as khareef.

The land is rich and fertile and the landscape lush and green. The coastline is laced with coconut groves whilst clouds and mist shroud the mountains and after a heavy rainstorm the water cascades down through the mountains to the sea. Temperatures hardly ever rise above 85° F, making it an attractive area for many to escape from the heat further north.

Dhofar covers a third of the country and has a varied terrain. The high dunes of the Empty Quarter are found here, as well as unexplored caves and numerous sinkholes in the steep mountain vales, whilst the coast offers lovely beaches with good snorkelling and diving.

Salalah is steeped in myth with legends associated with it dating back to biblical times. The ruins at Khawr Rawri are reputed to be that of the palace of Queen of Sheba. Another connection of the region to biblical times is the presence of frankincense trees in Dhofar. Locally know as luban, the whole region has the characteristic smell of burning incense.

Our preferred hotels include:

Crowne Plaza Resort Salalah
Hilton Salalah Resort