Anastasia Smith
A world far away in the sprawling golden sands, an escape to the sequestered landscape sure does make for an experience that is both exciting and adventurous. Nevertheless, the sands many long for are as unforgiving as they are so breathtakingly beautiful, warranting some essential survival tips.
A desert adventure means sunshine and hot weather are usually the first to come to mind. While you certainly do have to gear up for sun and heat, the desert also tends to get cold, especially at night. So, as you pack your light-coloured and lightweight hiking pants and long-sleeve shirts, be sure to throw in a few extra layers of clothing to be better prepared for the night. Among the inherent critters, dust and wind, you certainly don’t want the absence of proper clothing to be an addition that might get in the way of a good night’s sleep.
It pays to have weather on your side when heading out for outdoor adventures, and desert camping is no exception. As much as warm and dry weather characterise desert environments, it could not always be the case. Better safe than sorry, check weather forecasts regularly, especially before you lose cell phone service for the rest of your adventure. If rainy weather is forecasted, take extra precautions to stay away from mud and washes as much as possible.
Now that you’ve geared up with all the essentials and have the weather forecasts at your fingertips, the most pivotal element of your adventure is yet to be attended to: choosing the perfect campsite that plays host to your desert escape. While the lure for the best hotel in Oman is undoubtedly strong, seclusion and tranquillity should never be a compromise for security. A reservation at a place like Desert Nights Camp will afford you the luxuries as well as the serenity of camping in the sprawling sands.
It is important to remember the principles of sustainable and responsible holidaying. As responsible campers, it is our duty to leave the campsite in the same condition as we found it. We should aim to preserve the sustainability of the land we camp on so that future adventurers can also enjoy the same natural beauty. To achieve this, we need to respect any "no camping" signs and set up camp only at pre-existing sites. This will help preserve the precious landscape for generations to come.
As much as you want to make your desert escape adventurous, it isn’t worth it to get off the trail to get your fill of fun and thrills. Moreover, not only would you be putting yourself at risk of ending up nowhere amidst the vast sand expanse, but you’d also be killing cryptobiotic soil and small desert plants — an action that certainly doesn’t fall within the definition of sustainable and responsible desert camping.
