Frequently Asked Questions

Submit a quote request via the roof top tent page or car rental page on nomadtours.com. Nomad Tours uses a quote-based system — provide your dates, number of people, and preferred vehicle/tent type, and the team will respond with availability and a personalised quote.

Yes — and it's strongly recommended. As of September 2025 the fleet includes 99 roof top tents, but popular combinations sell out during peak season (October–April). Booking early guarantees your preferred tent type and vehicle.

The minimum car rental period is 4 days. This applies across all vehicle categories. Tent-only rentals (using your own vehicle) can be arranged separately — contact the team to discuss.

Working hours are 08:00 to 18:00 daily. Tent pick-ups and car drop-offs outside these hours are possible but incur an additional charge of 25 OMR.

You can cancel at any time. Refunds are not normally issued, but a full refund is provided for unavoidable disruptions such as flight cancellations, medical emergencies, or significant geopolitical events. We strongly recommend buying travel insurance. Contact the team at nomads@nomadtours.com as early as possible.

The fleet includes a wide range of 4WD and 2WD vehicles:

• Toyota Land Cruiser, Prado, Fortuner & 4Runner
• Jeep Wrangler
• Nissan Pathfinder & Xterra
• Mitsubishi Pajero & Montero
• GMC Yukon
• GWM POER & Dodge Ram (double-tent campers)
• Renault Duster (2WD/4WD)
• Ford, JAC JS6 and more

Yes — Nomad Tours explicitly permits and insures driving into the Wahiba Sands and the Rub Al Khali. If you want to go beyond the permanent desert camps into areas with no phone coverage, a Nomad desert guide is required.

You need a genuine 4WD. Jebel Akhdar has a police checkpoint that only allows 4WD vehicles — 2WD cars are turned back by law. Choose a true 4WD such as a Land Cruiser, Prado, Pajero, Pathfinder, Fortuner or Wrangler.

Vehicles include 200 km free per day. Additional kilometres are charged at 0.100 OMR per km. Oman's classic loop (~700–900 km) sits well within the included allowance for a 5-day rental.

Yes. One-way rentals between Muscat and Salalah are available. Drop-off charges apply and will be included in your quote. Drop-off and pick-up at the Nomad Guest House is free of charge.

Yes, with the optional UAE Cross-Border Insurance Add-On (OMR 30 flat rate per rental). Travel is permitted to all seven emirates.

• Must be requested at least 48 hours before departure.
• You'll need a valid passport, visa and driving licence.
• Crossing the border without this add-on voids all insurance cover.

The off-road recovery kit (tyre deflator, compressor, sand boards, kinetic towing rope) is available as an add-on at 5 OMR/day — strongly recommended for the desert. The NomadVisor WhatsApp community (300+ members) is also invaluable.

Nomad Tours has four roof top tent types (99 tents total as of September 2025):

• ABS — plastic shell, 1.4m × 2.0m, suits 2 adults. 50 OMR install; 12.5 OMR/day.
• SAST — aluminium shell, 1.45m × 2.0m, suits 2 adults. Same pricing as ABS.
• BAST — big aluminium shell, 1.8m × 2.2m, suits 2 adults + 2 children. 60–80 OMR install; 15 OMR/day.
• BSST — big soft shell, 2.0m × 2.4m, suits 2 adults + 2 children. Same pricing as BAST.

All roof top tents come with a comprehensive camping kit:

• Sleeping bags, sheets & camping mat
• Camping chairs & table
• Rechargeable LED lights
• Cool box (non-electric), water jerry can
• Pressurised hot water shower & shovel
• Gas stove + large gas bottle
• Full kitchen kit: frying pan, saucepan, kettle, cutlery, plates, bowls, mugs, chopping board, wash bowl

All roof top tent types require a 4WD vehicle with at least a 2.7-litre engine. The heaviest tent (BSST) should ideally go on a 3.5-litre engine or larger.

Yes — tailgate tents attach to the car's rear and are compatible with: Renault Duster, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Xterra, Toyota 4Runner, and GMC Yukon.

Pricing: preparation cost 25/35/45 OMR (2/3/4 people), then 10 OMR/day for the first 10 days.

Yes. Pricing:

• Standard (2 people): 40 OMR base for first 4 days, then 7.5 OMR/day.
• Standard (3–4 people): 60 OMR base, same day rates.
• Swag Sky Dome Double (2 people): 80 OMR base, then 15 OMR/day.
• Swag Sky Dome Double (3–4 people): 100 OMR base, same day rates.

• Off-road recovery kit: 5 OMR/day
• Car roof rack: 5 OMR installation + 2 OMR/day
• Car awning: 30 OMR installation + 5 OMR/day
• DC/AC inverter: 2 OMR/day
• Child seat: 2 OMR/day
• Petrol jerry cans: 1 OMR/day per can
• Safety helmets (wadi canyoning): 5 OMR per trip
• Walkie-talkies: 1 OMR per set/day
• Satellite phone: on request

The primary pick-up and drop-off point is the Nomad Guest House in Muscat — this is free of charge. Nomad Tours can also arrange delivery to other Muscat locations.

• Valid national driving licence
• International Driving Permit (IDP) — recommended
• Passport or valid ID
• Booking confirmation
• Payment method (card or cash)

Yes. Any collection or return outside working hours (08:00–18:00) incurs a 25 OMR surcharge. This applies to both tent pick-ups and car drop-offs.

Three simple things:

• Fuel: return it with the same fuel level as pick-up.
• Cleanliness: a 5 OMR wash fee applies if the car comes back excessively dirty.
• Non-smoking: smoking inside incurs a 50 OMR valet cleaning charge.

Yes — the Nomad Guest House in Muscat is the natural base for your trip and the free pick-up and drop-off point for all rentals. Staying there the night before is the most convenient way to start your adventure early.

Not necessarily. For wadi drives and graded mountain roads, a full vehicle briefing at pick-up covers everything you need. For dune driving in the Wahiba Sands, some 4WD experience is helpful. Beyond the permanent desert camps, a Nomad desert guide is mandatory.

Yes — Oman is one of the world's best wild camping destinations. Wild camping is legal and widely practised across the country. There are no restrictions on camping in the open desert, wadis, or most beaches.

Popular self-drive highlights:

• Bimmah Sinkhole → Wadi Tiwi → Wadi Shab → Sur → Wahiba Sands
• Wadi Bani Khalid (stunning natural pools)
• Jebel Shams (highest peak in Oman)
• Snake Canyon (Wadi Bani Auf — canyoning country)
• The Sugar Dunes & Bar Al Hickman (remote southern desert)
• Salalah & the Dhofar coast (Khareef season July–September)

NomadVisor is an exclusive WhatsApp community for Nomad Tours customers — typically with over 300 active members, including people currently in the field and upcoming travellers. It's invaluable for real-time road conditions, campsite tips, and route advice. All confirmed bookings receive an invitation to join.

All camping gear is supplied — you only need personal items:

• Clothing: lightweight layers for evenings, sun protection for daytime
• Footwear: closed-toe shoes for wadi walking, sandals for camp
• Water: 5–10 litres per person per day in summer
• Navigation: download offline maps (Maps.me or OsmAnd) before you go
• Sun protection: sunscreen, lip balm, and a good hat
• Personal medication: enough for your trip plus spare days
• Camera & power banks: the landscapes are extraordinary

October to April is peak season — temperatures are comfortable (20–35°C), nights are pleasant for camping. Book early as tents sell out.

May to September is very hot inland. However, Salalah in July–September is spectacular during the Khareef (monsoon) season with green mountains and waterfalls.

Many nationalities can enter visa-free or apply online via the Royal Oman Police eVisa portal.

• 14-day visa: free for eligible nationalities. Cannot be extended.
• 30-day tourist visa: OMR 20, applied for online.
• Passport must be valid for at least 6 months on entry.
• Overstaying carries a fine of OMR 10 per day.

Nomad Tours is a full-service Oman operator. Options include:

• Guided day, 2-day, 3-day, and multi-day land tours
• Desert crossings and guided self-drive convoys
• Climbing, canyoning, and trekking
• Dolphin watching, snorkelling, diving, dhow cruises, game fishing, yacht charters
• Hot air balloon flights & Muscat city tours

Beyond camping, Nomad Tours runs several accommodation options:

• Nomad Guest House — Muscat base, free vehicle pick-up/drop-off
• Sifah Marina Apartment — sea view apartment on the coast
• Nomad Glamping Desert Camp
• Nomad Tiwi Resort — east coast resort
• Luxury yacht stays

Nomad Tours accepts Visa and Mastercard. A 3.5% surcharge is added for card payments. To avoid the surcharge, pay the full amount in cash. VAT at 5% is added to the rental.

The rental is charged per calendar day.

• Peak surcharge: 20 December – 7 January, an extra 10 OMR/day applies.
• VAT: 5% is added to the quote.
• Full payment is required to confirm a booking.

Yes. A deposit of €250 (Euro) is paid by bank transfer / Revolut to cover potential speeding or parking fines.

Your deposit is refunded about 4 weeks after you return the vehicle. The wait is deliberate: Oman's speeding fines are camera-based and often arrive weeks after your trip. The refund is sent back the same way it was paid. Any confirmed fines are deducted before the balance is returned.

Yes — every vehicle is insured for off-road driving. Three protection levels:

• Basic Protection (included free): CDW + theft + third-party liability. Excess 500 OMR.
• Extended Protection (5 OMR/day): reduces excess to 300 OMR.
• Adventurer Protection (10 OMR/day): zero excess, full off-road cover including tyres, glass and undercarriage.

More than most people expect. When you book a vehicle + roof top tent package, you get:

• A 4WD vehicle specifically insured for off-road driving
• Full tent setup (mattress, sleeping bags, sheets, pillows)
• Complete camping kitchen — gas stove, large gas bottle, full cookware
• Cool box, LED lights, pressurised hot water shower, water jerry can, shovel
• Off-road recovery kit (compressor, tyre deflator, sand boards, kinetic tow rope)
• Pre-trip briefing and route advice
• Access to the NomadVisor WhatsApp community (300+ active members)
• 200 km/day mileage included

You arrive, you pick up, and you drive. Everything else is ready.