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Oman, link between two continents

Overview

The Califate of Oman is, by far, the most estable and open-minded nation within the Arabian Peninsula, an area of the world that is often referred by its religious extremism and oppresion against minorities of all kind. Bordering in the south on Yemen, in the northwest on UAE, and in the west on Saudi Arabia, Oman is a country of large deserts where most of the population concentrates in the mountainous North, with its coastal strip of oases and lagoons, and in the Southern Dhoffar region.

This area of the world has been a natural “bridge” between Asia and Africa for thousands of years. Nowadays we find an extremely atractive combination of bird endemics from the Arabian Peninsula plus several overwintering Asian species (coming from Iran to India) and a selected core of species that once colonised the region from the Horn of Africa.

The tour shall start at Muscat, the rich but not opulent omani capital city. A pair of days of birding around the town would allow us to search some key species including Indian Silverbill, Oriental Honey-Buzzard, Pallid Scops Owl and Arabian Babbler while enjoying the excellent array of birdlife concentrated in the local wetlands and that may include everything from Palla’s Gull and Pin-tailed Snipe to White-tailed Lapwing and Indian Pond Heron.

A visit to the impressive Hajar Mountains shall allow us to contact with the really unknown Omani Owl (firstly thought to be a new species, but now considered to be conspecific with Hume’s Owl in Southern Pakistan!), counting ourselves lucky if de can enjoy such an enigmathycal species! Meanwhile we will search for a different set of specialities from Lapped-faced Vulture to Plain Leaf Warbler, and from Hooded Wheatear to Eversmann’s Redstart.

From Muscat we will drive Southwards to a stripe of coast North of Duqm. Here we will be in search of the iconic Crab Plover while enjoying the thousands of waders, gulls and terns attending the low tides. We will keep moving South and our journey through deserts that shall provide us with first views on a good variety of birdlife, from Asian Desert & Ménétries’ Warblers to Greater Hoopoe & Black-crowned Sparrow Larks.

Once arrived to Salalah, our five long nights stay will enhance our list to over 220 species including several top targets such as Grey Hypocolius, Arabian Scops Owl, Jouanin’s Petrel, Arabian Wheatear, Yemen Serin, Arabian Warbler, Nile Valley Sunbird and Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak. The Dhoffar Mountains are a really special place. In summer, when the mist comes from the Arabian Sea, a green carpet covers these hills and tens of streams run down the slopes. The landscape becomes so evocative that Arabs consider this as the “Arabic Ireland”. But in winter the slopes of decideous trees and the plateaus covered by dry pastures host a wide variety of African birdlife from African Paradise Flycatcher to Blackstart, and from Bruce Green Pigeon to Abyssinian White-eye.

Salalah is also known for the huge concentration of Steppes Eagles that overwinter here. And along with them, Imperial and Greater Spotted Eagles, and Abdim’s Storks. The Dhoffar Mountains are a really incredible place. In their wetlands we expect to find from Cotton Pygmy Goose to Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, with good numbers of Terek & Temmicks Sandpipers overwintering plus some Long-toed and Broad-billed Sandpipers.

After an internal flight from Salalah back to Muscat, our journey will end with an extra night in Muscat before our guests can fet their flight back home.

 

Tour leader

Carles Oliver has been birdwatching long in both the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. This Will be his fourth visit to Oman, expecting to organise a tour to neightboring Yemen as soon as this country finds its path into peace.

 

A book to help you understand Oman: “Celestial Bodies” (2010) by Jokha al-Harthi (1978-)

Pláning

Información adicional

Reportes de viaje:

Precio

3560€

Por persona

2960€

Por persona

Suplemento habitación individual:

500€

Depósito:

500€

Próximas Ediciones:

January 12th to 22nd, 2025
January 13th to 23rd, 2026

Data inici:

Data fi:

January 12th /
January 13th /
22nd, 2025
23rd, 2026

Duración:

11 days, 10 nights (including flights)

Tamaño de grupo:

9 clients + 3 tour leaders

Inicio/Final:

Muscat

Tour Leader:

Carles Oliver

Tarifas de grupo:

10% off when booking 3 or more seats

Price in twin room. Price can vary depending on the flight ticket tariff when booking.VAT included

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