Car & Van Hire - Duqm

Duqm, one of Oman's largest port cities, is an interesting choice for visitors looking to get off the beaten track. The city itself may not be the most scenic place on Earth, but around it, you'll find some truly spectacular natural surroundings. Duqm is a city in development at the moment. In the future, the Omani government hopes it will rival Dubai. For now, it's still fairly sleepy, so if you want to visit before it becomes a major destination, this is your chance.

Start your adventure with the Duqm Rock Garden. This expanse of sand is covered with ancient rocks. You wander through them, admiring the effects of erosion, discovering fossils, or just meditating on the curious shapes of the rocks. This site has a good spot for camping for those who want to get back to nature while still being close to the city.

If you're interested in prehistory or geology, you'll find some interesting sites in this area. The Rock Garden is just the start. Car hire in Duqm will help you reach the Rudist Reef, where ancient bivalves lived in the Cretaceous period. There's also the Huqf, the site of the oldest rocks in Oman. These ancient rocks date back some 730 million years. You can easily spend a couple of hours finding tiny fossils in this area.

A truly spectacular sight near Duqm is Khaluf Beach, regarded as one of the best beaches in Oman. The road leading to the beach is already impressive from a distance, surrounded by rolling white dunes. Here, you can see some old-fashioned fishing villages where the traditional Omani way of life is still preserved. The beach itself is remarkable for its isolation. When you finally cross the dunes and reach the sea, you'll feel like you've been transported to another world. Go for a walk along the edge of the water, admiring the vast emptiness that surrounds you - endless sand on one side, endless sea on the other.

For a beach a little bit closer to civilisation, try Ras Markaz. This is easily accessible by car or van hire in Duqm. It's populated by fishermen, so you can lie on the sand admiring the tiny boats scattered across the azure waters. Like Khaluf Beach, this is not a tourist hotspot. Instead, it offers you a rare chance to enjoy the white sand and clear water without the crowds. As Duqm grows, it may change drastically - but for now, it's ideal for those who seek tranquillity.

Duqm is a new city in a constant state of flux. You can expect roadworks, as there is always construction work going on. The city is small enough that traffic is not a major problem, but you may need to seek out alternative routes to avoid ongoing development work. Parking is plentiful. You will usually need to pay from 08:00 to 13:00 and again from 16:00 to 21:00. The meters are modern, and most accept contactless payments. Parking is free on public holidays and weekends. Remember that the weekend in Oman runs from Friday to Saturday.

Due to the levels of development in Duqm, street signs are sometimes missing. You will certainly find a GPS device helpful to navigate the city. You can also ask locals for advice. Most people here speak some English, and they are usually happy to help foreign visitors. Local culture means that it is generally better to ask for directions from someone of the same sex.

If you wish to visit the sand dunes and beaches, you'll need a 4WD. This kind of vehicle is not necessary if you plan to stay within the confines of the city or if you are including Duqm as part of a longer road trip that will focus on Oman's towns and cities. However, the wilderness of dunes and sand is a major draw for many visitors to Duqm.

Even in a 4WD, you should check weather forecasts and tidal information before driving on a beach route or over the salt flats. Pay close attention to warnings of flash floods. They are common here in the summer months and can make a road impassable in the blink of an eye. Do not try to drive through flooded roads, and if a road is closed suddenly, always obey the authorities' orders.

If you are planning a longer road trip across Oman, you will need to be prepared for driving in the desert. The roads in this country are generally in very good condition. Sand storms are an occasional hazard. If caught in one, pull over and wait for visibility to return to normal. Watch out for wandering camels, which can do major damage to your vehicle. If you see one, drive carefully around it. Keep an eye out for stray dogs, too. They are a common sight by the side of the road. Do not get too close, as sadly, rabies is a problem among dogs in Oman.