Salalah – Sarb season is giving Dhofar a different character following the end of khareef, with green landscapes, clearer skies and renewed rural and economic activity offering visitors a different experience of the governorate.

The season usually begins towards the end of September and continues until around mid-December, although its timing and intensity vary from one area to another.

The end of khareef does not mean the immediate disappearance of its effects. Water and moisture remain in the soil, allowing vegetation to continue growing for some time. Green meadows, wildflowers and seasonal plants can still be seen in several mountainous and plain areas.

Unlike the misty and rainy conditions associated with khareef, sarb brings clearer visibility, allowing visitors to see the mountains, plains and coastline in greater detail. This creates opportunities for road trips, photography and nature exploration.

Rakhyut and Dhalkut and their surrounding areas are among the notable destinations during the season. The areas combine mountains, highlands, plains, grazing grounds, green spaces, wildflowers and vegetation, coastal views, villages and rural landscapes.

One of the notable sights during sarb is the movement of camels between grazing areas in search of grass and vegetation. The animals benefit from the vegetation left behind by the khareef rains and spread across pastures and mountainous and rural areas.

The sight also reflects traditional grazing practices and the continuing relationship between local communities and the seasonal cycle of nature. For visitors, camels moving through green meadows and mountains add a cultural and heritage dimension to the experience.

Sarb offers a tourism experience distinct from khareef. Visitors can explore mountain areas, plains and grazing grounds, photograph wildflowers and vegetation, enjoy coastal views and discover rural life and local heritage.

The season also has significance for the local economy. Vegetation provides natural grazing for livestock, while agricultural activities continue in several mountainous and rural areas. Local producers can benefit from marketing fruits and vegetables, dairy products, honey, agricultural produce and products linked to local heritage and rural life.

Improving marine conditions is another important aspect of sarb. During Khareef, fishing activity can be affected at times by rough seas and high waves. As sea conditions improve, fishing and other marine activities can return to more favourable levels, supporting coastal communities whose livelihoods are partly linked to fishing and marine products.

Sarb could also help extend tourism activity beyond Dhofar’s peak khareef season. Continued visitor movement during the following months could create additional opportunities for hotels, restaurants, cafés, tour operators and adventure companies, while spreading the benefits of tourism to farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, small businesses and local producers.