Oman Birding Tours

Oman has a rich maritime heritage, shaped by its location at the crossroads of trade routes, and is still ruled by a Sultan, a traditional monarch overseeing its peaceful development. Oman is arguably the most popular destination on the Arabian Peninsula, and visitors are drawn to Oman’s ancient forts, bustling souks (Arabian markets) selling traditional crafts, jewelry, and spices, as well as its striking landscapes and unique wildlife. With a reputation for safety, welcoming people, and well-maintained infrastructure, travel in Oman is both easy and comfortable. Accommodations range from quaint guesthouses in traditional villages, to luxury resorts by the sea, and the cuisine, influenced by both Arabic and Indian flavors, enhances the cultural experience.

Following International Ornithological Congress (IOC) taxonomy, v14.2 (September 2024), Oman’s bird list stands at 558. Twelve are endemic to the Arabian Peninsula, including the highly desired Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak and Desert Owl, along with Arabian Partridge, Arabian Scops Owl, Arabian Eagle-Owl, Arabian Green Bee-eater, Arabian Lark, Arabian Babbler, Tristram’s Starling, Arabian Wheatear, Arabian Sunbird, and Yemen Serin. Several exciting species nearly restricted to the Arabian Peninsula can also be found, such as the enigmatic Omani Owl, Forbes-Watson’s Swift, and Grey Hypocolius, as well as Sand Partridge, White-spectacled Bulbul, Graceful Prinia, Arabian Warbler, and Palestine Sunbird. Desirable waterbirds, such as the IUCN threatened Socotra Cormorant, and Crab-plover may also be seen on our Oman birding tours. Beyond its birdlife, Oman is home to many other unique species, with 14% of reptiles and 11% of plants endemic to Oman, including the Omani Pomegranate tree. The mammals are special too, and Oman holds large populations of rare and threated (IUCN) Arabian Gazelle and Arabian Leopard, as well as the reintroduced Arabian Oryx, which was once extinct in the wild.

Our 12-day Oman birding tour provides the opportunity to see many Arabian bird specials, including all 12 Arabian Peninsula endemics found in Oman (listed above), along with a fascinating mix of African and Asian species. We start in the north, by familiarizing ourselves with common Arabian birds in the wetlands and open landscapes around Muscat, such as the beautiful Arabian Green Bee-eater, as well as Arabian Babbler and Egyptian Nightjar. Then, we explore the breathtaking mountains of Jebel Akhdar Nature Reserve, searching for the elusive Omani Owl, Sand Partridge, and wintering migrants like Eversmann’s Redstart, and Menetries’s Warbler. The second part of the tour is based in Salalah in the south, exploring the Dhofar Mountains, Jebel Samhan Nature Reserve and the Wadi Darbat, all recognized as important bird areas (IBAs) due to their endemic bird and mammal species. Top targets here include Arabian Partridge, Arabian Eagle-Owl, Arabian Sunbird, and Arabian Golden-winged Grosbeak. We will visit the coastal wetland IBAs at Khawr Rouri and Khawr Hassanare for migratory shorebirds, and journey into the golden deserts of Oman’s interior for sandgrouse and wheatear species, plus the monotypic Grey Hypocolius, and many wintering migrants. The tour concludes with an exciting pelagic boat trip to seek rare seabirds such as Saunders’s Tern, Persian Shearwater, and Jouanin’s Petrel, along with marine mammals such as Sperm Whale and Spinner Dolphin.

Birding Ecotours Oman birding tours promise not just unforgettable wildlife encounters, but an authentic experience of Oman’s cultural and natural beauty, which we look forward to sharing with you. Oman is well connected to the UAE, allowing for combined tours to the region, and we can arrange a short birding extension to the UAE after our Oman tours for those interested.