Oman is a beautiful destination that brings you a rugged and breathtaking escape from big cities like Muscat or even the UAE plains nearby. The Hajar Mountains in Oman are one of the most famous attractions, and among them are Jebel Akhdar (The “Green Mountain”) and Jebel Shams (The “Mountain of the Sun”), the highest point in the Sultanate.
Travelers who are looking into an extended stay and adventure in Oman or if you’re only there for a short while. You have to be prepared to drive or, at the very least, rent a car for transportation, and this brings the question of whether or not you need a 4WD to do this.
Renting a Car in Oman: Monthly Options and 4WD Requirements
Renting a car is an inevitable option that you have to do if you want to see all of Oman and its attractions. The options for travel to either Jebel Akhdar or Jebel Shams require a well-prepared car, and the safest and easiest way to get one is to rent. Some travelers try to find a local driver or join an organized tour but that takes away your flexibility on the road. Driving in Oman is different from driving around town, so you need to do some research on driving in Oman and get yourself a local car insurance quote.
You can rent a car for a daily rate, which is good for a short stay in the Sultanate. However, if your trip involves multi-weeks of hiking, camping, or just slow traveling around the country, a monthly car rental is the more sensible option. Not only do they provide the flexibility you need for extended travel, but they are much cheaper per day than shorter-term deals.
Monthly rental benefits:
Lower daily rate over multiple weeks
Flexibility for long road trips
Options to include monthly mileage packages
Extensive vehicle selection
In the next section, we will detail why 4WDs are necessary in the mountains.
Do I Need a 4WD in Oman for Jebel Akhdar or Jebel Shams?
Oman roads are as diverse as its landscapes, and while there are vast stretches of smooth highways, some can get more challenging, especially if you plan on exploring places like Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams.
Driving from city to city is easy enough to do with a regular car, but the main roads and routes to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams have additional challenges:
Roads with steep gradients
Steep and long ascents and descents
Rocky gravel roads
Gov’t. Regulation for vehicle type
The above road conditions might deter some visitors, but if you know how to drive off-road vehicles in Oman, they should not be a problem for you, right? Wrong. The main roads to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams become challenging with the occasional muddy areas after rain. Even more, both destinations have checkpoints with government guards ensuring that only vehicles with 4WD are allowed to ascend and descend the road. This means that to drive to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams with the lower terraced villages on the Sayq Plateau, you need a 4WD capable vehicle.
We have researched the routes and spoke with drivers that do transport tourists to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams regularly. The short answers to whether or not a 4WD is required for these destinations are YES for Jebel Akhdar and a STRONG YES for Jebel Shams.
Here is the extended answer for why 4WD vehicles are a necessity for these mountain roads in Oman.
The Roads to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams
Before we get into the requirements, it is always best to know more about your destination. So to help you make an informed decision, we have the details on Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, where you can drive, the weather conditions, and why a 4WD is essential to ensure a safe drive.
Jebel Akhdar
Jebel Akhdar or the “Green Mountain” in Oman, is a famous spot within the Al Hajar Mountains range with the closest major city of Nizwa. Jebel Akhdar is a very steep and long ascent from Nizwa all the way to the Sayq Plateau, where most of the famous green terraced villages and little towns can be found.
Roads are initially a paved highway but start to get steeper as you reach a checkpoint before a long ascent with Royal Oman Police posted to ensure the proper government regulations of not allowing any non-4WD vehicles.
Oman 4WD vehicles are not a suggestion but a strict government regulation if you want to enjoy Jebel Akhdar. The steep 10% and higher gradient is not the only thing you will face on this mountain road; there are some hairpin turns with rocky paths and possible gravel sections. Roads are paved but can be slippery after rain and muddy when the weather is bad, so you must have a vehicle with more control and stopping power and engine power, such as in 4WD vehicles.
Jebel Shams
Jebel Shams or “Mountain of the Sun” is a very popular destination in Oman for its Grand Canyon-like view and an exciting cliff-side walking trail. You drive from the town of Al Hamra on an easy drive on paved roads all the way until the plateau and the closer towns of Khateem and Al Khitaym.
As the road is made up of varying asphalt and unpaved gravel stretches, there is no strict requirement for a 4WD, although there is no official checkpoint as with Jebel Akhdar.
The unpaved gravel roads in the Jebel Shams region have been reported to have deeper potholes and less driving clearance and damaged by rough stones, loose gravel, and rough rocky areas, making them risky to drive in any 2WD.
Although locals with a 4WD do it often, no one recommends you bring your sedan when the rains come, and the dirt roads become muddy and slippery. We always recommend you bring a 4WD to enjoy these areas with ease.
Renting a Car for a Long Stay or Visit: Why Go Monthly?
Renting a car in Oman is a hassle-free experience as long as you go with a well-rated company or choose a package for a monthly long-term rental. There are tons of car rental companies with a wide selection of cars. But if you are visiting for an extended period, there are more reasons to rent for a month.
Monthly rentals are more than just for travelers that want to bring a family car that they can use anywhere or for an entire trip. However, they do have other very valid reasons to rent for a monthly car rental.
Monthly Rental Advantages for Oman Visits
Cheaper than daily or weekly rates (especially if for > 4 weeks)
Variety of available vehicles (compared to daily or short-term)
Flexibility to go as far as you want
Monthly unlimited mileage options
Own car, not swapping for every new location
Monthly car rentals, though, do have the advantage of additional fees, which have to be considered.
Monthly Rental Fees and Additional Charges
Typical monthly rental fees
12-18 day additional package
Additional insurance
Fuel price refills (cost or empty)
Service fee
After deciding if you should rent or take a guided tour of Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams, we must cover other potential questions about renting. Here are some things that visitors do not know or forget when first visiting.
When Could You Use a Car without a 4WD in Oman?
The only times a car without a 4WD system in Oman would be best are in the below cases:
Guided tours Jebel Akhdar or Jebel Shams
Jebel Shams on the dry season with a seasoned driver
Town and villages within the Sayq Plateau (e.g. Birkat al Mouz or Misfat al Abriyeen)
Guided tours that have a 4WD operator are an excellent way to bring the family to visit or explore these two famous Omani mountains. All you will need is a small car that you can use in the cities and coastal areas.
For Jebel Shams on the dry season, only highly experienced drivers can attempt the unpaved gravel roads, and we still do not recommend it due to damage to the underbody and loose gravel.
The closest villages to Nizwa (Jebel Akhdar) or Al Hamra (Jebel Shams) with paved roads do not require a 4WD. Make sure you confirm with your drivers which villages these are and their condition, as they might not be up to standard (dirt roads to some of the closest).
Renting Car Precautions: Safety and Other Tips for Renting
Renting a car and driving in Oman is easy and safer than you think with some tips. We must recommend you prepare yourself before setting out on your journey, especially if you are a first-time visitor.
Tips for Renting in Oman
Research and compare prices and services
Choose a reliable rental company
Ask for recommendations (Facebook)
Do some light research on Oman driving rules and regulations
Have Oman car insurance
Download offline maps on your phone
Inform someone of your travel itineraries
Take an emergency car kit, with tools and water
Drive safely, and enjoy your Oman trip!
Places to Visit: Stops to Make on the Way to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams
The drive to both Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams is beautiful and offers more than a tour to a national attraction. Travelers who want to fully enjoy their trip in Oman, we can tell you there are many other places and recommendations you can include in your itineraries while on the way to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams.
Places to Visit on the Way to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams
Here is a list of more fun activities and places to visit on the way to Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams. Each one of these places is mentioned in our Oman travel itinerary, so you can plan your trip for the entire country and know which car to rent for the areas.
Birkat Al Mouz
One of the first old villages that you will find on your way to Jebel Akhdar is Birkat al Mouz or Birkat al Mouza, which has falaj irrigation water systems and many date plantations.
It is one of the first villages from Nizwa before the uphill, rocky gravel section.
Wadi Ghul
Wadi Ghul on the way to Jebel Shams is a fantastic place to spend some time on a hot day. This wadi has a massive canyon in some parts, a great picnic area, and allows you to walk around with cool mountain air.
Al Ayn & Al Aqur Villages
Al Ayn and Al Aqur are also some of the few terrace farming villages on the Sayq Plateau. If you find yourself on the plateau, we can tell you there is fantastic photography on offer here.
Jebel Shams Rim Walk
If you plan on going all the way up to the summit of Jebel Shams, you must take the Jebel Shams Rim Walk, which is a very moderate difficulty hiking trail with a lookout point above the canyon for a 360 panorama.
Final Thoughts: Is 4WD Necessary for Oman? 4WD in Jebel Akhdar & Jebel Shams
Renting a car in Oman is a highly recommended option for those who want to travel around independently and at their own pace. The main questions you might have are if it is necessary for a car to be a 4WD or SUV for places such as Jebel Akhdar or Jebel Shams.
The easy answer is YES. However, we have covered above in more detail why and that includes:
Gov’t. regulation at checkpoints for Jebel Akhdar
Weather conditions (rain, loose gravel)
Safety (control on descents)
Vehicle selection (for renting)
4WD advantages (torque, power)
Your itinerary, and more.
So, is a 4WD car required in Oman? We answer that based on the popular Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams off-roading, and both require that you have a 4WD-capable vehicle for the road conditions. Both have steep and long ascents and descents. These mountains also have rocky and unpaved gravel roads with the occasional potholes. 4WD is a necessity and not just a preference in these off-road conditions, as the improved torque and control give the driver more time to react to adverse conditions. Even more, both Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams have government checkpoints that only allow 4WD vehicles with extra clearance.
We strongly recommend renting a 4WD for your Oman trips, whether it is for Jebel Akhdar and Jebel Shams or for other places in the Sultanate. Renting a monthly car also gives you the freedom to go wherever you like in Oman and explore to the fullest without any limits. 4WD is a clear winner in this case.
