Rub’ al Khali, which means ‘Empty Quarter’, is the world’s largest sand desert. A huge stretch of unbroken sand desert, Rub’ al Khali covers an area of about 650,000 square km. It is located in the southern Arabian Peninsula spreading over southeastern Saudi Arabia, with lesser portions in Yemen, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.
Featuring a varied topography, the desert marks an elevation as high as 610 metres above sea level and the sand is fine and soft, while in the east the elevation drops to about 180 metres, with sand dunes, salt flats, and sand sheets.
One of the driest regions in the world, the Rub al Khali is uninhabited and largely unexplored due to its inhospitable terrain and hence derives its name the ‘Empty Quarter’.
Rub’ al Khali Oman
In Oman, Rub’ al Khali extends to the Governorate of Dhofar and teems with wildlife, ranging from reptiles to various birds of prey and smaller mammals. Ramlat Duhayth, in the wilayat of Al Sunaynah, Al Buraimi, is known for its largest mega dunes.
The eastern edge of the Rub Al Khali desert reveals Umm Al Samim, a stretch of saltmarsh, deceptive to the eye because beneath the solid-looking crust lies quicksand. Sir Wilfred Thesiger was the first European to see the area in the late 1940s after his travels from Salalah in Oman. The golden dunes of Rub’ Al Khali have also been the location of movies such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Matrix, and The Panther.
Several lake beds are also found here, which were originally shallow lakes formed by monsoon rains thousands of years ago, and only lasted for a few years. Recently when Tropical Cyclone Mekunu passed over the region, it delivered plenty of water to the desert, which was termed as a rare incident. Sand composing dunes of all shapes and sizes, interspersed with salt flats, make up the majority of the landscape.
The best secret of this terrain is the huge reserves of petroleum beneath its sands. In 1948, the Ghawar field – the largest crude oil field in the world – was discovered on the edge of the Rub’ al Khali. Another significant operation, in the southeast near the United Arab Emirates and Oman, is Al Shaybah which includes refinery operations and also has large reserves of natural gas.
Travel to Empty Quarter
Explore Empty Quarter Oman and learn how the ancient Bedouin community lived in yonder times. Know about their nomadic lifestyle and their traditional culture. Drive through the dunes or ride a camel and stride back into the past like the ancient explorers. Use a 4WD vehicle to traverse through the swirling dunes. And if you plan to have a safari at Rub’ al Khali, it is advisable to travel as part of a group rather than alone as quite often the cars get stuck in the sand.
The weather in Rub’ al Khali is ‘hyper-arid’, where more than 12 consecutive rain-free months have been recorded in an area that usually lacks seasonal precipitation. Rainfall is generally less than 35mm per annum and daily extremes of temperature can be observed.
You can travel to Empty Quarter Oman by flight from Salalah International Airport or drive to Salalah by car or bus.
Things to do at Empty Quarter Oman
There are a variety of things you can do at Empty Quarter Oman. Wake up early to watch the sunrise and take in the superb desert view from the summit. Go for an exhilarating dune bash on your 4WD and have fun with sandboarding or trekking through the sinking dunes. Watch the amber sunset, camp in tents at night and dine in the star-lit sky. Cook an open barbeque with friends and stretch yourself in the cool night.
You will love the exquisite silence and enjoy the enormity of the largest sea of sand in the world.
Best time to travel to Rub’ al Khali
The best time to travel to Rub’ al Khali is from October to April when the temperature ranges from warm to cool. Temperatures during the summer months can be exceptionally high.
Combine your trip to the Empty Quarter with time in Salalah, a paradise of greenery. Or go from Rub al Khali desert Oman to the incense valley Wadi Dawkah and the ruins of the ancient city of Ubar.
Come, discover the spectacular Rub’ Al Khali Oman and have the fun of your lifetime.