Sossusvlei (Namibia) and Sharqiya Sands (Oman) are often weighed against each other. This comparison uses seasons, activities and access to help you choose.
| Sossusvlei | Sharqiya Sands | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Namibia | Oman |
| Type | Desert | Desert |
| Best time | January to March | December to February |
| Suggested stay | 2–3 days | 1–2 days |
| Main gateway airport | Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) | Muscat International Airport (MCT) |
| Big Five | Not all five | — |
| Malaria | None | None |
| Approx. area | — | 12,500 km² |
| Families | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Honeymooners | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Photographers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| First-time visitors | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Budget travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Luxury travellers | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Month by month
| Month | Sossusvlei | Sharqiya Sands |
|---|---|---|
| January | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| February | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| March | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| April | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| May | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| June | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| July | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| August | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| September | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| October | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| November | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
| December | ★★★★★ mostly dry | ★★★★★ mostly dry |
How to choose
Choose Sossusvlei if
- you are travelling in May to August
- you want hiking and scenic flights
- you hope to see oryx and ostriches
Choose Sharqiya Sands if
- you are travelling in October to April
- you want dune bashing, camel rides, sandboarding, quad biking and cultural visits
- you hope to see camels
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Sossusvlei or Sharqiya Sands?
It depends on when you travel and what you want to see. Sossusvlei is stronger in May to August. Sharqiya Sands is stronger in October to April.
When is the best time for each?
Sossusvlei: January to March. Sharqiya Sands: December to February.
Sources: Namibia Wildlife Resorts - Sossusvlei · Namibia Tourism Board - Namib-Naukluft Park · Weather and Climate - Sesriem · Weather2Travel - Sossusvlei climate · Experience Oman – A'Sharqiyah Sands · Wikipedia – Wahiba Sands · oman.de – Wahiba Sands · Weather Spark – Badiyah (Bidiyah) climate
Figures are approximate averages and vary from year to year.