Only two camping sites in Dhofar for Khareef visitors

Salalah: Visitors heading to the Dhofar region to enjoy Khareef festival will be able to camp at two camping sites being set up in the area, and will not be allowed to camp elsewhere.

As the build-up to the Khareef season continues, Dhofar Municipality has said that work on the two campsites is underway.

“Dhofar Municipality has followed with greater interest the voice of the community on social media platforms, regarding camping during the Khareef season,” said the municipality in a statement.

“The municipality states that it is in the process of developing  two camping sites with distinctive designs that will be operative throughout the year,” added the organisation.

“The two sites will be equipped with entertainment facilities, camping umbrellas, roads, and parking spaces in front of each unit.”

People will not be able to camp elsewhere during this season’s Khareef. Once one of the two campsites is complete, construction on the second will begin, once an evaluation of the facilities offered at the first has been finished.

The Khareef season runs traditionally from about July to September, and is characterised by unique weather found almost exclusively in the southern Dhofar region of Oman. While the rest of the Middle East swelters under scorching heat and high temperatures, the Dhofar has cool winds, continuous drizzling rain, and low-hanging mists.

As a result, the traditionally brown landscape turns green, and draws tourists from across Oman, the Middle East, and other parts of the world.

Khareef also marks the peak of Salalah’s tourist season, with many airlines operating charter flights to and from Oman’s southern city to meet the rise in demand at that time of the year.