Car & Van Hire - Salalah

Salalah is a major tourist destination in the Arabian Peninsula, particularly popular for its stunning natural beauty. It offers amazing landscapes, from deserts to green mountains and beaches. Visit during khareef season, from June to September, and you'll find the mountains shrouded in mist, with weather that is refreshingly cool. Come at other times of year for a dry, temperate climate.

If you come during khareef season, then you'll want to take advantage of car hire in Salalah and head out to the mountains. This is when the region's waterfalls come into their own. You'll see tumbling cascades of water falling into brilliantly turquoise pools. To get a closer look at some of the best waterfalls, try taking a boat ride on the natural canal at Wadi Darbat. You'll be stunned by this lush, green valley, which is a world away from the arid deserts that most people associate with the Arabian Peninsula.

The fun with water doesn't stop there! Use your car or van hire in Salalah to visit Mughsail Beach, which is famous for its geysers. The geysers can be seen in action, spurting out water all year round. They are at their most dramatic during khareef season, but even in the dry season, they are still fun to watch and are sure to dazzle the kids.

For something completely different, visit the Land of Frankincense, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is divided into four areas: two ancient seaports from which frankincense was shipped around the world, an inland trading outpost, and Wadi Dawkah, a massive frankincense plantation. From the desert to the sea, these four sites are mesmerising and show the importance of this ancient oil to the country of Oman. Some historians have identified the ruined trading outpost as the Lost City of Ubar, also known as the Atlantis of the Sands. This theory may not be universally accepted, but the ruins are definitely a dramatic and beautiful sight. They also provide a startling contrast with the lush green valleys in other parts of the Salalah area.

The Sultan Qaboos Mosque is one of the largest mosques in Oman. It is open to non-Muslims every morning except Fridays, and the interior, with its lavish decor, is well worth a detour. This is a working mosque, so you will need to dress appropriately. Shorts and bare shoulders are not permitted, and women must cover their hair. On entry, you will need to take off your shoes to walk on the mosque's richly decorated carpets.

Many hotels offer free parking in Salalah. Otherwise, you'll probably have to pay. Parking meters are usually very modern and have no problem accepting card payments. You should still ensure you are always carrying cash in Oman, though. Petrol stations are often cash-only, and the same is true for many smaller businesses such as shops, cafés and roadside stalls.

The roads in and around Salalah are in excellent condition. You are extremely unlikely to experience any problems with potholes. A 4WD is not necessary if you plan to stick to main roads, though many visitors choose one for the added convenience. If you do choose a 4WD, you'll be able to go driving through some desert areas that are otherwise inaccessible. If you are planning a longer road trip, ensure you have paper copies of maps. You are likely to lose phone coverage when far from a city.

Always check the weather forecast before setting off on a drive. Flash floods are a common hazard in Oman and can seem to come out of nowhere. Pay close attention to local weather reports, and always follow the authorities' recommendations. Never attempt to drive on a flooded road. If a road is closed due to flooding, do not, under any circumstances, enter it.

Conversely, sand storms are also quite likely when you are driving in the desert. In a severe storm, the sand can severely affect your visibility. If this happens, just pull over to the side of the road and wait for the storm to pass. They usually do not last long.

Watch out for animals on the roads. You're particularly likely to see camels, who tend to pay little attention to cars heading straight at them. Don't try to intimidate them or scare them away. Instead, you'll need to either drive very carefully around them or wait for them to pass. Do not drive at night. Not only are Oman's animals more active between dusk and dawn, but you're also more likely to get lost on the unlit backcountry roads.

Salalah is approximately two hours' drive from the border with Yemen. Due to ongoing conflicts in that country, visitors are strongly advised to stay away. The border is heavily patrolled, so you are unlikely to cross by accident. In general, you should take care if your travels take you anywhere near the border.