Oman's natural riches offer plenty to travellers looking for unique wildlife. But the secret to the surprising biodiversity of this sultanate, similar in size to the British Isles, is its variety of landscapes – mountain, desert, coast, islands – which are all accessible with the right guide.
“Unlike more predictable wildlife destinations, Oman offers raw, untouched wilderness: no fences, no over-commercialised trails; just open landscapes and incredible biodiversity,” explains Omani guide Saud Al Junaidy.
Some ultra-rare sightings include the critically endangered Arabian leopard, which haunts the peaks of Dhofar in the south-west, and Arabian wolves, which are close to extinction but are sometimes spotted prowling the plains. Easier to see is the Arabian oryx, Oman's national animal and one of the region's most spectacular conservation success stories. It was declared…