FEATHERING THE NEST
With more than 460 different bird species, Oman is one of the world's top bird-watching destinations. Common species include Herons, Ospreys, Swift Terns, Laughing Doves, Egyptian Vultures, and Indian Rollers. Qurum Natural Park and Al-Ansab Lagoon are renowned bird watching sites, as are Musandam in the north of the country and Dhofar in the south. In Muscat, various native species can be seen within the land- scaped grounds of the InterContinental Muscat and Al Bustan Palace. Muscat Diving and Adventure Centre offers bird-watching tours under the guidance of Hanna and Jens Eriksen, co-authors of the Bird watching guide to Oman and world-renowned bird photographers.
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
RAS AL JINZ SCIENTIFIC AND VISITORS CENTRE An exceptionally high number of turtles nest in Oman each year and
this natural phenomenon has become a popular tourism attraction with both leisure travellers and corporate incentive groups. However, visitors must ensure that they enjoy this natural spectacle responsibly, and the easiest way to ensure this is to go through an established turtle watching centre.
Positioned on the very eastern tip of Oman, about a four-hour drive south of Muscat, is the isolated bay of Ras Al Jinz. Its beaches are the largest nesting site for green turtles on the Indian Ocean, attracting an average of 30,000 nesting animals.
The Ras Al Jinz Scientific and Visitors Centre, located within
a 120-square-kilometre nature reserve, is pioneering the concept of ecotourism in Oman, offering meeting and incentive groups a chance to get up close and personal with green sea turtles as they lay their eggs. A state-of-the-art ecotourism facility, it also teaches groups about the animals and their nesting habits, and all funds raised go straight back into the project to fund research and conservation activities. "The numbers of turtles are increasing steadily. There are already new nesting places that were avoided by the turtles. This is a pioneer project - the aim now is to replicate and customise this best practice in other protected areas in Oman," says Ras Al Jinz regional director Pierre Abi-Aoun.
The centre also offers 'nomadic dining' options, enabling corporate groups and tour operators to request outdoor catering or picnics at many of the scenic landscapes of Al Sharqiyah. "Incentive groups can take advantage of our nomadic dining formula, where they can eat inside or on the rocks, in the desert or beside a wadi. No matter where, we will still provide five-star services," explains Abi-Aoun. Conference facilities are also available onsite for groups of 40 for day meetings, including video conferencing, library and all necessary infrastructures. "We also have teambuilding instructors and can provide activities in the area, including trips to Sur and Al Hadd," says Abi-Aoun.
Top Tip
At the Ras Al Jinz turtle reserve vistiors must ensure that they enjoy this natural spectacle responsibly, and the easiest way to ensure this is to go through an established turtle watching centre
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For small corporate groups wanting to leave the boardroom behind and encounter a true Arabian experience, a night under the stars is a must. Nestled in the golden sands of the Wahiba, just outside Al Wasil, Desert Nights Camp is an initiative from the OHI Group of Companies. The resort offers 32 bespoke units, including 25 tented accommoda- tion units complete with air-conditioning, en-suite bathroom and cosy terrace area. The camp has been designed so that all the tents open out to panoramic vistas across the golden sands. Facilities include a restaurant, bar and recreational area.
While the tents are air-conditioned and the beds made up with the finest cotton, Desert Nights Camp is still a simple lodging option, in keeping with its Bedouin theme. This is not an international five-star hotel in the desert, and therein lies its charm. Accommodation is fully air-conditioned although there is no spa or swimming pools. But who needs manmade facilities when you have the desert before
you? Groups can enjoy camel safaris, desert driving in 4X4s, visits to local Bedouin houses, trips in the beautiful Wadi Bani Khalid and souvenir hunting at the local souk. This is authentic Arabia and this authenticity makes it a great location for group incentives.
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