- Middle East
Guide To Visiting Oman With Kids
The Ideal Family Trip
Oman is ideal for families looking for an off-the-beaten-track adventure. With unique culture, beautiful beaches, desert activities and even a turtle sanctuary to boot, the highlights can be done in one fun-filled week. Our friends at Lightfoot Travel give us the lowdown on this staggeringly beautiful Middle Eastern country.
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Muscat
Oman’s port capital of Muscat is accessible from Hong Kong via Doha or Dubai on Cathay Pacific or Emirates. The city is surrounded by mountains, desert and the sea, and has a mix of old and new that is prevalent throughout the Middle East – 16th century Portuguese forts sit alongside gleaming shopping centres with traditional dhow boats quietly sailing past upscale beach resorts. Day tours take in the Sultan’s Palace and the Mutrah Souk where kids can test out their bargaining skills as they potter through the narrow streets looking for gold.
Recommended length of stay: 2 nights
Where to Stay: Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort. Comprised of three separate hotels in different buildings, the Al Waha and Al Bandar sections of the Shangri-La are best suited for families. Situated slightly out of the city, the hotels are set on a long stretch of beach with a lazy river that winds through both. There is, of course, a Kid’s Club with added facilities such as a children’s pool, splashpad, mini golf, and pony and camel rides.
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Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve
The Raz Al Jinz Turtle Reserve is a drive down the craggy coastline from Muscat, with plenty of opportunities to stop along the way to explore beaches and valleys. The sanctuary has been operating since 1996 and offers a unique opportunity to observe nesting turtles in the wild in a safe and secure environment. At 9:00pm each night guests are brought down to the beach, and there is also an interactive museum with research laboratories and a host of ways to learn about these beautiful creatures in a family-friendly environment.
Recommended length of stay: 1 night
Where to Stay: Ras Al Jinz. For families with younger kids we recommend one of the two bunk bedded ensuite rooms. Families with older teens will enjoy the eco-tents set on a hillside within the lodge, which offer a real sense of being in the desert, but have all the finishing touches you’d expect from a modern hotel.
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Wahiba Sands
From Ras Al Jinz it’s a short 2.5-hour drive to Wahiba Sands, taking you through increasingly untouched and rugged landscapes that are occasionally interrupted by traditional Omani villages. Once you arrive at your tented camp for the evening, the fun begins! For families, the desert is all about activities and that includes camel riding, sand boarding, dune bashing in a 4x4 jeep (with reinforced caging for safety of course!) and quad biking. You can also visit local Bedouin villages and learn more about their unique culture and blissfully laidback approach to life.
Recommended length of stay: 1 night
Where to Stay: Desert Nights Camp.A permanent desert camp with 26 Bedouin-style tents, spending an evening at Desert Nights Camp is a fantastic experience. With two family tents and a plethora of activities on offer, you’ll have to drag the kids away from the sand dunes as you move on to your next location!
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Nizwa and the Al Hajar Mountains
Next head up to the majestic Al Hajar Mountains, with a stop at the former Omani capital of Nizwa along the way. Wow the kids with legendary tales as you explore the beautifully preserved fortress and potter about the souq-trading centre with its silver Bedouin handicrafts. Feel the temperatures drop as you climb higher up into the mountains, perhaps pausing to walk through the pretty village of Birkat Al Mauz with its lush green date plantations. The Al Hajar Mountains are a truly unique spot in the Arabian Peninsula, and the perfect place to unwind after a few days of travelling.
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 nights
Where to Stay: Alila Jabal Akhdar. Hands down one of our favourite hotels in the country, the Alila is a very special place perched in almost surreal fashion atop a cliff face. Built out of stone and wood, rooms have their own verandahs and there is both an indoor and outdoor pool for the kids. Spend your days on family hikes to Bedouin villages, exploring the nearby Al Hoota Caves, and parents will no doubt indulge in a spa treatment or two at the renowned Alila spa.
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Musandam Peninsula
A place to visit if you have a little bit more time, Musandam is an option if you plan to fly out from Dubai, being only a short 2-hour drive away from the city. Often referred to as the “Norway of Arabia”, the peninsula juts out into the Strait of Hormuz in a maze of steep and giant fjords, cliffs and islands. It is arguably one of the most beautiful areas of the whole country, and the best way to experience it is by sea where you can explore the fjords at will, with dolphins and migratory whales popping up to say hi once in a while!
Recommended length of stay: 2-3 nights
Where to Stay: Six Senses Zighy Bay. The granddaddy of Musandam hotels, Six Senses Zighy Bay is pretty epic. Older teens will love paragliding from reception right onto the beach, and there is an amazing selection of watersports on offer including wake boarding, water skiing, micro flying, scuba dive and sunset dhow cruises through the craggy fjords. The pool villas are wonderful the whole property provides such a fantastic experience, if you have the extra time this should not be missed!
Additional Info:
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Lightfoot Travel
To book your next family getaway, contact Lightfoot Travel at +852 2815 0068 (HK) or +65 6438 4091 (SG), info@lightfoottravel.com. Lightfoot Travel is a luxury tour operator offering expert travel advice and inspiration, tailor-made itineraries & full booking services.
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