The deserts of Oman are undoubtedly one of the Sultanate’s most spectacular landscapes, and a night amongst the dunes should be high on all travellers’ itineraries. Check out my detailed guide to camping in Oman’s deserts if you are planning a trip. But fear not, if sleeping in a tent is not your thing, you can still make the most of the Omani desert! There are a range of fixed camps to choose from and the Thousand Nights Camp in Wahiba Sands is one of the most well known.
BOOK YOUR STAY
Need to Know
The Headline Desert exploration made easy.
Best For Camping-phobic or comfort seeking travellers looking for a night amongst the dunes.
Amenities Buffet breakfasts and dinners. Small swimming pool and an open air cinema.
Getting There 41km into the dunes – it is the most remote of the fixed camps. A 4WD is essential. Guides and pick ups available.
Getting Around The solitude and peace of the desert is a large part of its beauty, so climb the dunes behind the hotel and soak up the views.
Prices from £200 per night for a Sheikh Tent
THE LOCATION
The camp is situated 41km into the dunes – about as far in as you can get and keep a hold of civilisation! It is the most remote of the fixed camps. The route is on sand, not tarmac, and requires a certain amount of navigation through the dunes. It is about a four hour drive from Muscat, and a 4WD is essential to stay safe.
The Thousand Nights Camp offers guides, to bring you to the camp if you need a bit of extra help getting there. They will meet you at the petrol station in Bidiyah. It is 20 OMR per vehicle, each way. I recommended doing this – certainly on the way in to the camp – if you have never driven in desert or on sand. You can then consider whether you feel you need it on the way out, having experienced sand driving and having seen the nature of the route. Watch out at the petrol station – lots of people will offer to be your guide and desert services. The authentic hotel staff have green uniforms.
Have a look at my guide to desert camping in Oman, for safety tips on driving in the desert and suggestions for extending your trip if you want to spend a bit more time under canvas.
THE ROOMS
There are a variety of room types on offer, but most are based around comfortable, solid Bedouin style ‘tents’ with canvas roofs. Furnishing is relatively simple – but think more minimalist in style than no frills.
The Sheikh Tents are the most basic, but I think the nicest. Traditional Bedouin black and white goat wool tents with a walled, but open roofed, bathroom attached. The “deluxe” tents also have a small patio with tables and chairs. Ameer Tents are more structurally solid, with two sides made from reflective glass. The Sand Houses are the least tent-like of the lot – they are multilevel concrete villas.
I recommend asking for either Room 313 or 314. They are the very end of the row and whilst that puts them furthest from the communal facilities, you will have uninterrupted desert views.
THE EXTRAS
Astoundingly for the middle of the desert, Thousand Nights Camp has a small swimming pool! There is also a restaurant and lounge in the main building, modelled on a traditional Omani Fort. A large projector creates an open air cinema at night.
Dinner – included in the room rate – was really excellent. Lots of vegetarian options to choose from, with some fantastic curries. Breakfast was more average, but certainly not bad. The omelettes were probably the pick of the breakfast options. Both meals are served buffet style. Thousand Nights Camp does not serve alcohol.
There are a range of activities available – such as camel rides and dune drives – but they are eye-wateringly expensive. As ever with excursions involving wildlife, do your research to make sure you are comfortable with the camp’s approach to animal welfare before booking. You can read more about why I avoid dune bashing in my guide to the Omani deserts.
THE LESS LOVEABLE
The coffee was really, really terrible! It tasted like burnt, instant Nescafé. It seemed a real missed opportunity when the food was so good. Of course, I fully appreciate the supply chain in the middle of the desert isn’t exactly straightforward, but when they had brought in so much wonderful food and produce already, surely could manage to drive in better coffee?!
Check out my other guides to Oman to plan your Arabian adventures, and have a look at my sleep series for more inspiration for some of the world’s best hotels and guesthouses.
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