Your Oman adventure – what camping equipment will you need?
If you’re thinking of visiting Oman on a wild camping trip, the great news is that you’ve picked a country that welcomes wild camping and it’s an activity which is a particular favourite of the local people. Because it’s such a popular pastime, you’ll be able to get camping equipment rental whilst in Oman along with some expert advice to ensure you have the best possible trip.
This article is going to provide you with some information on camping equipment rental in Oman to ensure you have all the equipment you need for a safe and fun trip across this magnificent country.
We have already shared an article about camping in Oman and we strongly recommend you read that as well as this one to get all the top Oman camping tips.
Just one final thing before we get into the main article, Oman is a spectacular country that should be witnessed at least once in a lifetime. From vast deserts to amazing beaches to stunning Wadis, Oman literally is a tailor-made country for the intrepid explorer.
Extending your vehicle with a tailgate tent
If you’re unfamiliar with tail gate tents they are an easy way to provide a vehicle extension that provides shelter for you to be able to sleep or rest. They can differ in varieties but they’ll help let air into your vehicle without letting insects in, especially if you also use a mosquito net.
Planning a trip to Oman for Camping?
Check our Tailgate Tents Rental Service
One of the real positives about tailgate tents is that they’re also one of the cheapest types of car tents so great for those travelling on a budget.
Tailgate tents can be fixed to on different types of vehicles but the bigger vehicle you choose then the more space you’ll have, especially if you want to spend the night in one. We get the sense that you’re the adventurous type if you’re planning on wild camping in Oman, so combining a tailgate tent with a type of 4×4 vehicle such as the Nissan Xterra or the Toyota Forerunner would give you the ultimate experience. Other tents and camps options can be seen on Roof top tents Guide for camping blog.
A list of camping equipment for your Oman adventure
We’ve prepared a list of all the camping equipment you’ll need to hire before embarking on a wild camping adventure in Oman.
- Tent
- Sleeping bag
- Sleeping mat
- Burner and gas
- Knife, forks, plates, cookware
- Pillow
- Headlamp
- Comfortable floor mat – (the ground in Oman can be rocky and uneven)
- Wipes/refreshers – keeping refreshed on the go can be particularly difficult and we found that having wet wipes and other easily accessible refreshers was a great idea.
Of course, what you need to take will also depend on how you’re planning on travelling the country. If you will be using a 4×4 type vehicle with a rooftop tent then some of this camping equipment hire won’t be needed.
A price guide to hiring camping equipment in Oman
If you’re looking to hire camping equipment in Oman, you’ll obviously want to know how much it’s going to cost. The great news is that hiring camping equipment in Oman is very cheap and we have provided a breakdown in Omani Rials and Pound Sterling / Dollars below.
Full Camping Equipment
Omani Rials: Around 7.5 Omani Rials per day
Pound Sterling: Around £15 per day
Dollars: Around $20 per day
Vehicle roof tent rental
Omani Rials: Installation of around 50 Omani Rials
Pound Sterling: Installation is around £100
Dollars: Around $130 per day
Car rental plus roof tent or tent tailgate*
Omani Rials: Check with provider
Pound Sterling: Check with provider
Dollars: Check with provider
The cost of car rental plus accessories is decided by the size of the car and length of hire. The good news is that prices are very good in Oman and also vehicle rentals come with unlimited mileage which means you can explore the country. You can view Nomad Tours’ list of available cars with tents and camps.
Check the list of Camping & Off-Road Equipment for Rental in Oman
The details in this table are provided as an example and are subject to change. When planning you’re Oman camping trip and if you are planning to hire camping equipment it would be best to enquire with equipment providers.
Top tips for your Oman camping trip
You can plan for every possible scenario and although it’s a good idea to over prepare for an Oman camping trip to cover as many possible scenarios, it’s still impossible to rent camping equipment that’ll cover every emergency. To try and keep you informed of as many possible scenarios as possible, we have prepared the following list of ‘top tips.’
- For wild camping always hire a 4×4. This is because a 4×4 vehicle will get all the places an ordinary car won’t, so for the adventurous you’ll be able to explore sand dunes and get to the secluded beaches we’ve told you all about. As well as more exploring options, a 4×4 will give you so much more sleeping room.
- If you’re an inexperienced driver on the sand, don’t risk it. Things can escalate pretty quickly in unfamiliar surroundings, so please don’t take any risks which could bring you danger and always rely on more experienced people for assistance.
- Take water. This is something we can’t recommend highly enough. In colder temperatures, you should still be drinking plenty of water, but this becomes even more important in extreme heat, so make sure you pack enough.
- Take plenty of clothes. We’ve given you a list of what we think you should take on your wild camping trip a bit further down in this article, but please do take enough clothes to cover the different types of weather.
- Don’t leave it too late to pitch your tent. The last thing you want to be doing is looking for a place to camp and setting up your tent in the dark so leave plenty of time to get settled for the night.
- There are plenty of places to buy food and other supplies so no need to overstock too early in your trip.
- Make sure you know how to get help. This can be either in the form of getting back to the nearest town quickly or having a mobile phone with reception so you can reach out for help in an emergency situation.
We think these top tips will do you well when you embark on your wild camping trip in Oman, but if you do decide to rent camping equipment, don’t be afraid to ask for some expert advice to help you on your way.
What equipment to rent and where to rent it in Oman
When you’re in Oman the great news is that you can get your hands on pretty much anything you’ll need and there’s always somewhere to either rent camping gear or buy it. Oman is a country that’s serviced by great roads and highways which can see you get between cities and towns pretty easily.
Whether you choose to rent camping gear from somewhere like Nomad Tours or buy it from a hypermarket you’ll have plenty of choice. Remember, if you do decide to buy any camping equipment dispose of it responsibly before you depart Oman. Nobody wants to see this beautiful country littered with leftover camping gear.
It’s also a great idea to rent camping gear coordinated with the activities you’ve got planned whilst in Oman. As we’ve already told you, Oman is a great country and very wild camping friendly, which allows visitors to plan their own expeditions. But if you’re planning on going camping in one of the deserts then the chances are that you’ll need different equipment than if you’re planning to go camping at the seaside.
What sets Oman apart from other countries you may have visited is that it’s a Muslim country, and whilst visitors aren’t expected to cover up or wear a headscarf, you could either be asked to cover up or fined if your clothes are deemed unsuitable.
Here are a few suggestions on what to wear for desert camping in Oman.
- Shoes: footwear should be comfortable and allow you to undertake activities such as desert hike if that’s what you’ve got planned.
- Trousers: These should be light and versatile whilst giving you some protection against the weather conditions, especially if you need against heavy rainfall during the monsoon season. You’ll also need warmer trousers for the colder evenings and overnight.
- Tops: In the same style as your bottom half, tops should be light enough to keep you comfortable and versatile enough to protect you from the weather conditions. You also need to adhere to the correct way of dressing. You’ll also need warmer tops/jumpers for the colder evenings and overnight.
- Hats & gloves: Most certainly not needed during the daytime, but good to have in the evenings.
The wild camping scene in Oman
Camping rentals are a key service in Oman because the country is such a wild camping-friendly place. If you ever plan on visiting Oman, you’ll realise that it’s as much of a local pastime as a visitor one.
Interested in Wild Camping, you must see this:
Wild Camping & Adventure Tour
If a country could ever be tailor-made for a specific activity, then surely Oman was built for wild camping. Firstly, the country is unbelievable in terms of its geography and visually stunning features. The coastline is to die for, with beautiful beaches, some of the easily accessible and some that are so worth the effort. Secondly, the deserts are so unique and not to be missed. Last and by no means least is the mountains, for all you hikers out there you will be in dreamland.
Camping rentals also go hand in hand with car rental services in Oman. You can pick up hire cars of all kinds and combine them with things like rooftop tents and tailgate tents to give you the ultimate camping experience.
Where to buy camping equipment in Oman
If you’re looking to go alone whilst in Oman and you wish your wild camping experience to be as authentic as possible, the good news is that camp equipment rental is easy to get hold of.
As we mentioned in our other article on camping in Oman, there’s a fantastic place called ‘Nomad Tours’, who specialise in outdoor activities and will be able to provide you with all the equipment you need, including camping tents to rent. These guys are based in Muscat and should be your first port of call before you head out into the wilderness.
As wild camping is a popular pastime in Oman, there be a slight issue where Nomad Tours may have loaned all their gear to other camping enthusiasts. Fear not, because if this emergency arises there are also hypermarkets such as Carrefour or LuLu to get stocked up, but these places would sell the items and not rent them.
Off Road Recovery Equipment
Recovery equipment is as essential as the camping equipment if you are heading towards the deserts. It is advised to bring off road recovery equipment with you. Below are the essential recovery items one must keep when traveling to the desert:
- Tyre deflator
- A compressor
- A pair of sand boards
- A kinetic towing rope with shackles
Nomad Tours proudly offers these recovery equipment to their all customers, you can view the details and price range on Off road recovery equipment page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions people frequently ask
What to wear in desert camping Oman?
When you’re preparing for your desert camping trip to Oman it’s important to think about the weather conditions. Oman is a country that can get very hot during the day, especially in the desert, but it can also become cold at night meaning you’ll need a different set of clothes to keep you comfortable.
It’s also important to plan what kinds of activities you’re going to be undertaking whilst desert camping in Oman as this could also affect your choice of clothing.
Where is wild camping allowed?
The great thing about Oman is that wild camping is allowed across pretty much the entire country and it's an activity undertaken by the local population which means you'll often get the chance to interact with local people. The main place where wild camping isn't allowed is the Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve as this is home to nesting turtles. It’s also advisable not to wild camp near private buildings and desert camps.
How do you tent in the desert?
Tenting in the desert is similar to tenting in any other environment and the key to having a successful experience is to pay attention to the conditions and make sure you are well prepared. If you have never camped in the desert before it’s advisable to seek advice from local experts or perhaps even book into a desert camp to help you get a feel for it.