Middle East Magic: Shift From Blazing Desert to Refreshing Green Oasis in Salalah, Oman

Salalah is the third-largest city in the Sultanate of Oman, and the largest city in the Dhofar. The city has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh), although summers are cooler than in more northern or inland parts of Oman. Salalah is very cloudy and foggy during the monsoon months of July and August, even though it receives relatively little rainfall. Khareef, خريف means "autumn" in Arabic, but it refers to monsoon when describing the region around Salalah. During this time, the brown landscape of Salalah and its surroundings are completely transformed to beautiful and lush green scenes.Wikipedia

My husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to explore Salalah, Oman, because of the long weekend here in Dubai. This trip, we decided not to bring our own car. We booked a tour through a travel agency. My husband preferred not to drive the long distance of 12 to 15 hours from Al Ain, Abu Dhabi. We left Dubai at 5:45 pm on September 4. Setting off on our avidly awaited trip. Our tour guide’s cheerful personality raised everyone’s spirits. To break the ice and spur a sense of community. He called everyone to introduce themselves, sharing their names so we could all connect. This simple sign created a sense of connection, making the ambiance dynamic and friendly. What was supposed to be an easy trip turned into an unforeseen long adventure. Because of the holiday the roads were full of travelers and there were too few immigration officers on duty. Rather than arriving Salalah at 10 a.m. on September 5 as planned, we finally arrived at 2 p.m.. Unbending what should have been a 12 to 15 hour into a 20-hour trip.

Despite the dawdle my eyes stayed bonded to the view outside the bus window. The desert seemed to go on forever broken only by towering rocky mountains. Their sharp crests formed by centuries of wind and weather. I kept reaching for my camera, avid to catch the stark beauty of the barren landscape. Its wide, textured sands and weathered stones leave me in wonder. How something so simple could feel so impressive. As we drove further, camels appeared, wandering near the roadside, a perfect symbol of Oman’s desert heritage. I sadly didn’t seize them in a snap. Some walked along the roadside. It adds a touch of originality.

As we continued our ride, our tour guide told that we were approaching Salalah. And that some magic was about to occur. Most of us on the bus were mixed up, unsure of what to expect. Then it happened. Clouds began forming above the sky. As we mounted a hill, the scenery changed before our eyes. The brown mountains we had been passing for hours shifted into a stunning lush landscape. The unexpected shift was awesome. A fog began to flow across the terrain. It adds a mystic ambiance to the lively view. The temperature appeared to drop from 42 degrees in the desert to a shocking 24 degrees.

Between the greenery camels stroll freely as if they were part of a picture scene. I promptly got my camera to capture these iconic symbols of the Middle East, their calm stride blending beautifully with the serene surroundings. Their quiet presence made the change from arid desert to thriving cove feel even more picturesque.

As we entered Salalah city I was right away allured by its charm. The desert had given way to a city with greenery, palm trees and orderly lined streets. Buildings in mellow sandy tones mixed flawlessly with the natural environs. I was surprised how the city perceived both lively and serene at the same time. It offers a glance into the culture and beauty that make Salalah so special.
This was only the start of our Salalah getaway. I could feel that the trip ahead would be filled with more awesome sights, unforgettable experiences and moments to treasure.

Photos taken using Samsung S25 Ultra
Collage using Canva