{"id":96114,"date":"2025-03-17T13:47:28","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T11:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/?p=96114"},"modified":"2025-03-17T13:47:28","modified_gmt":"2025-03-17T11:47:28","slug":"oman-the-hidden-gem-of-the-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/oman-the-hidden-gem-of-the-middle-east\/","title":{"rendered":"Oman: The Hidden Gem of the Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za<\/a>
\n3-minute read
\n17 March 2025 | 08:10 CAT<\/p>\n

\"\"

Golden sands, turquoise waters, and timeless heritage\u2014experience the untouched beauty of Oman.<\/p><\/div>\n

A road trip from Dubai to Oman offers a scenic adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes and cultural richness. Filmfare Travel Influencer of the Year 2024, Kaunain Fatima, shares her experiences, shedding light on why Oman is an ideal travel destination for South Africans.<\/p>\n

\u201cOman is one of those countries that truly preserves its history,\u201d says Fatima. Unlike its neighboring Gulf nations, Oman has chosen heritage over high-rises, ensuring visitors are immersed in its Arabian charm. With convenient access from Dubai, the journey to Oman is a road trip worth taking.<\/p>\n

The drive from Dubai to Muscat, Oman\u2019s capital, takes approximately four to five hours. Fatima recommends crossing via Hatta, a popular border post offering a stunning view of the Hajar Mountains. However, those venturing further to Salalah should be prepared for a 12-hour journey, a scenic route through Oman\u2019s diverse landscapes.<\/p>\n

Nature lovers will find Oman a paradise. \u201cThe country has beautiful wadis, natural water pools where you can swim, snorkel, and even go scuba diving,\u201d says Fatima. Visitors can also take a boat ride to see dolphins, making it an unforgettable experience.<\/p>\n

For travellers eager to experience Omani cuisine, Fatima suggests trying Omani shuwa, a slow-cooked meat dish similar to the mandi, and Bishkek, a delicious, juicy kebab. \u201cAnd of course, Omani halwa is a must-try\u2014it\u2019s unique to Oman and comes in various flavors,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Oman\u2019s dedication to preserving its heritage is evident in its many ancient forts, traditional souks, and cultural celebrations. Fatima highlights the National Day festivities, where locals gather to enjoy Arabic music, henna, and traditional sweets. \u201cIf you want to experience authentic Middle Eastern culture, Oman is the place to be,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

Fatima has visited Oman multiple times and recommends several must-see locations. Salalah, a hidden gem, experiences monsoon rains in June and July, transforming the city into a lush green haven. Nizwa, known for its forts, feels like stepping into an Arabian Nights tale. Muscat, the capital, balances modern convenience with cultural heritage. Meanwhile, Musandam offers stunning ocean views and dhow cruises for travellers seeking relaxation by the sea.<\/p>\n

Unlike Dubai, Oman\u2019s skyline remains untouched by towering skyscrapers, allowing visitors to enjoy unobstructed views of mountains and historical landmarks. \u201cEven in the middle of Muscat, you can still see the beauty of nature,\u201d Fatima notes.<\/p>\n

For South Africans seeking an off-the-beaten-path destination, Oman promises adventure, history, and a deep cultural connection.<\/p>\n

Listen to the full interview on Radio Islam International<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za 3-minute read 17 March 2025 | 08:10 CAT A road trip from Dubai to Oman offers a scenic adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes and cultural richness. Filmfare Travel Influencer of the Year 2024, Kaunain Fatima, shares her experiences, shedding light on why Oman is an ideal travel destination for South Africans. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29,"featured_media":96115,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[132,5453],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-96114","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-opinion-and-analysis","category-social"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/images-3.jpg?fit=300%2C168&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pc0QIf-p0e","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-25 10:57:38","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/96114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/96115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=96114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=96114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}