Anastasia Smith
Venturing to southern Oman, Salalah, in the Dhofar Governorate, is unlike any other in the Sultanate. While Salalah’s renown as the “Land of Frankincense” is arguably the most characteristic of the city, travellers have a whole lot more to look forward to, especially the “un-oman-like” greenery.
Come early July through mid-September, the southeastern monsoon makes its way through Salalah and the vast Dhofar Governorate, making this part of southern Oman a greenery wonderland, truly unique to the rest of the Sultanate. While Salalah this time of the year is an obvious appeal to tourists from the West and the rest of the world, mostly people from elsewhere in Oman and the Gulf are drawn to the serene city, as it is scalding weather and glistening deserts everywhere, in Salalah, it is all beautiful lakes, wadis and waterfalls, surrounded by sprawling lush greenery. Pleasing scenery and the unique microclimate aren’t only that await the travellers to Salalah; adding to your delight is also the Khareef Festival, featuring a host of cultural festivities, exhibitions and events. While Salalah is a tourist hotspot from early July to mid-September, “local experts” would recommend visiting towards the end of the Khareef, during the early weeks of September, to jack up your chances of enjoying the “best of both worlds” — picture-postcard scenery and minimal crowds and low prices.
There’s a lot of talk about Salalah’s lush and green, especially during the most looked forward to Khareef season, but the city is also home to some picturesque beaches, arguably the most beautiful of the whole Sultanate. Sun lovers and beach bums can let themselves loose, frolic on the pristine white sands, unwind under swaying palms and bask in the soothing sun.
The most characteristic of Salalah and the Dhofar Governorate, Salalah certainly wouldn’t be complete without its world-renowned frankincense. The breathtakingly aromatic material is a hardened gum-like resin and is something that almost every traveller to Salalah looks forward to, for it is presumed Salalah to have the highest quality frankincense in the world. Grab yourself some of the highly sought after frankincense for yourself to take back home and retreat to a fine Salalah resort in Oman, including the likes of Al Baleed Resort Salalah.
The nature, climate and landscapes aren’t only what’s unique about Salalah and rather the vast Dhofar Governorate. The city being far distant from the capital city, involving more than a 1,000 kilometres, Salalah has also been sort of culturally distinct from the rest of the Sultanate. Unlike the likes of Oman’s port capital, Muscat, cultural authenticity and uniqueness is still alive in Salalah.
Foodies to Salalah are never left unsatisfied, for the region is blessed with abounding flavour and taste, just as the whole host of treasures and wonders that call Salalah home. The verdant greenery means fresh fruit is abundant in the city and the gorgeous seaside is rich in seafood.
