Desert Retreat Camp
Bidiya, Al Sharqiyah
View on map and nearby hotels
Why people book this hotel
“Humaid, the owner, is a fantastic person — warm, attentive, and incredibly helpf…”
“Everything was just perfect : the team, the food and the manager, who is a very …”
“Location was ok”
“location in the desert with sand dunes the good english of the manager of the ca…”
“The bathrooms, beds, and food were all very comfortable and convenient”
“The bed and the tent were comfortable”
“Booked two nights with bed/breakfast and dinner”
“Very good location far from the other camps, very kind staff and very good food …”
“The location is great - underneath a huge dune that you can climb and admire the…”
“It is a long day, but believe me worth every penny and second”
Overview
Surrounded by the high sand dunes of Oman’s desert, the eco-friendly Retreat Camp in Sharqiya provides authentic, Arabian-style accommodation in tents. It offers camel rides and tours to nearby locations. Situated in Wahiba sands, all tents are made of natural goat hair. Each has a private, open-to-the-sky bathroom with a toilet, sink and shower. Guests staying at the Desert Retreat Camp can enjoy Arabian food and barbeque every night. After a meal, you can listen to the traditional Arabian music or gaze at the starry sky over the camp. Desert Retreat staff can organise a visit to Beduoin settlements as well as Wadi Bani Khalid, a nearby valley. Guests can also enjoy dune bashing, a popular way to explore sand dunes in off-road vehicles.
Traveller reviews
Christian
solo_traveller
February 19, 2026
“Perfect desert experience”
Literally everything about this place is wonderful. Humaid, the owner, is a fantastic person — warm, attentive, and incredibly helpful. Talk to him, you can learn a lot. His English is great. When we couldn’t find a laundry service, he and his very friendly team simply took care of it themselves. The dune bashing, the camel ride, the sunsets, and above all the breathtaking silence of the desert — everything was exceptional. The camp offers everything you need for an unforgettable experience, something everyone should do at least once in their lives. The bathrooms, beds, and food were all very comfortable and convenient. I stayed two nights and would happily have stayed five more. It’s the desert! If u want aircon and pool and no flies, that’s not your place. But then, u don’t want the desert……;-)
Christopher
solo_traveller
February 15, 2026
“Perfect - I would not hesitate to come back.”
Everything was just perfect : the team, the food and the manager, who is a very responsible, attentive, friendly man.
Roozen
family_with_children
January 1, 2026
Location was ok
Sam
family_with_children
December 30, 2025
“Very nice!”
A very nice and unique stay! The bed and the tent were comfortable. You even had your own private bathroom. The food was delicious and well prepared. The staff were friendly. The surroundings were beautiful! We also did the Dune Bashing activity. It wasn’t constantly high speed, but also a great guided tour through the desert with some explanations and stops. Highly recommended!! So if you’re looking for a unique desert experience in Oman, you can definitely book this stay!
Jerome
family_with_children
December 28, 2025
“Well deserved desert experience after climbing the top of the dune”
location in the desert with sand dunes the good english of the manager of the camp and his ability to talk about Oman country beyond basic business small-talk
Zahra
family_with_children
November 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A suspended moment between earth and sky. Our stay at Desert Retreat Camp was simply magical nature in its raw, Untouched Beauty. The view of the open sky at night doesn’t need any advertisement; it speaks for itself. My 4-year-old daughter had never felt so free and happy. No internet, no phone, no distractions ... just pure simplicity. Everything was perfect. The owner was incredibly kind, patient and communicative, and the staff were always present yet never intrusive. Leaving was truly hard I felt free, calm, and deeply at peace. Highly recommended for anyone who wants something real and wishes to rediscover the true sense of priorities. 🌌
Jana
couple
March 10, 2025
“The host was very nice and accommodating, all went well.”
Jozefina
family_with_children
March 8, 2025
“It’s rare to find such an authentic, sustainable retreat that stands the test of time while continuing to offer an unpar”
Returning to Desert Retrest Camp Name after 12 years was an experience beyond words. Our first visit left us with unforgettable memories, and coming back after more than a decade, we were once again amazed—not just by the breathtaking landscape, but by the unwavering warmth and hospitality of Humaid and his team. What makes this camp truly special is its commitment to sustainability and authenticity. The way it blends seamlessly into the surrounding desert is outstanding, creating a perfect harmony between nature and comfort. Unlike many places that change over time, Desert Retreat Camp Name has remained true to its essence, preserving the beauty of its concept while enhancing the experience. Humaid’s hospitality is as heartfelt as ever, making us feel like family rather than guests. His deep respect for the desert and passion for sharing its magic shine through in every detail, from the traditional meals to the tranquil setting that allows you to fully disconnect and appreciate the raw beauty of the dunes. If you’re looking for an unforgettable desert experience that blends authenticity, sustainability, and comfort, Desert retreat Camp is the perfect place. The camp’s design is outstanding, carefully integrated into the natural surroundings without disrupting the breathtaking landscape. Unlike many commercialized desert accommodations, this camp embraces the beauty of simplicity, ensuring that every element complements rather than intrudes upon nature. The staff are incredibly attentive, ensuring your stay is comfortable while respecting the serene atmosphere of the desert.
Katarzyna
couple
February 10, 2025
“Great place to experience the Sands”
It’s a LICENSED camp, which means they have a license from the Ministry of Tourism to run the camp and lease land from the government. The location is great - underneath a huge dune that you can climb and admire the views. The views from the dune and stunning especially at sunrise and sunset. It’s quite far from the towns at the edge of the sands and from other camps, which means it’s really quiet there - sometimes all you can hear is wind. The owner is very nice and hospitable, as are the staff. The food was great, with a lot of vegetarian options.
Sasa
family_with_children
January 11, 2025
“Nice stay”
Location of the camp
Kamila
family_with_children
January 5, 2025
“I would not go back and neither would recommend the place to anyone looking for that little extra”
The location of the camp is exceptional and we really enjoyed the closeness to the dunes, as you could just walk out and climb them on foot.
andrew
family_with_children
December 31, 2024
Very friendly staff. Good dinner.
Hannes
couple
November 8, 2024
“A truly unique experience”
This camp is great for everybody who wants to get an authentic yet comfortable (NOT luxurious) desert experience with delicious food, outstanding hospitality and a forever-lasting experience! Both the staff and owners are tremendously friendly - we would come back any time!
Ignacio
extended_group
October 28, 2024
“Really local service and desert experience”
Exceptional staff and resort, Though it is really simple, this was what we were looking for. Local tents, local food and enjoying a night in the dessert. It was great to share time with the owner. The staff looked after us very kindly.
Fritz Meier
couple
September 20, 2024
“Go for it. Top retreat. Back to the basics.”
The owner is a very humble and kind person. Booked two nights with bed/breakfast and dinner. It is genuinely a basic infrastructure, that is what is caters for. If you like the basic style, top. If you want luxury and air-con, book one which offers it. This retreat lives up to its name. The employees incredibly friendly. Having a shower under the stars, wonderful. Walk up the dune to view, sunset or sunrise. No artificial light at night, roaming camels. We booked a day tour drive through the Wahiba Sands desert to the Indian ocean with the owner (self-drive). This was fantastic if you love the desert, driving in sand, dunes and a superb meal of king-fish biryani. It is a long day, but believe me worth every penny and second.
Kylian
extended_group
May 16, 2024
“Horrible. Old, very hot and mosquito infested place.”
Nice staff
xavier
family_with_children
March 3, 2024
Great location and very authentic. At the foot of a huge and beautifull dune. Very friendly staff.
Michaela
couple
March 2, 2024
“Quiet camp in the dessert”
Very good location far from the other camps, very kind staff and very good food for breakfast and dinner. Warm welcome from the owner of the camp.
Miguel
solo_traveller
February 17, 2024
“Excellent experience in the desert.”
Very welcoming host. Staff was absolutely great. Location was superb. The food was also very good.
laurent
family_with_children
February 9, 2024
“the name says it all! wonderful place”
welcoming staff, great food, lost in the sands, tour in the sand dunes, generating own electricity with solar energy. we were with another group of 3 friendly people from Germany. perfect time
Facilities
Activities
Skiing, Hiking, Walking tours
Cleanliness & disinfecting
Use of cleaning chemicals that are effective against Coronavirus, Linens, towels and laundry washed in accordance with local authority guidelines
Entertainment and family services
Board games/puzzles
Food & Drink
Kid meals, Fruits, Coffee house on site, Restaurant, Breakfast options
Food & drink safety
All plates, cutlery, glasses and other tableware have been sanitized, Breakfast takeaway containers, Delivered food is securely covered, Physical distancing in dining areas
General
Pets allowed, Non-smoking rooms, Designated smoking area, Family rooms
Outdoors
BBQ facilities, Sun terrace, Outdoor furniture, Outdoor fireplace
Parking
Street parking, Accessible parking, Parking, Parking on site, Free parking
Physical distancing
Contactless check-in/check-out, Cashless payment available, Physical distancing rules followed
Reception services
Invoice provided
Safety & security
Fire extinguishers
Safety features
Access to health care professionals, Thermometers for guests provided by property, Face masks for guests available, Hand sanitizer in guest accommodation and key areas, Process in place to check health of guests, First aid kit available
Services
Shuttle service, Express check-in/check-out, Currency exchange, Packed lunches, Car hire, Tour desk, Shuttle service (additional charge), ATM/cash machine on site
Ski
Ski equipment hire on site
Hotel Policies
Price Watch
Email me price updates for Hotel Desert Retreat Camp
Each day we'll check prices and send you an email for your selected dates at Desert Retreat Camp.
If you don't have specific dates but would like to check prices for say next weekend or say next month we can check the price too.




