SALALAH, AUG 30
The mist is lifting, the drizzle is easing and Dhofar is quietly swapping grey for gentle gold. In about 23 days — around September 22 — the governorate will ease into Sarb, the local spring that follows khareef. It’s the moment when valleys breathe again, streams run clearer and families step back into the sunshine.
Sarb isn’t a comedown after the monsoon. It’s a handover. The land has drunk its fill; grass is thick, and wild flowers start to dot the slopes. Days grow warmer without the sting of summer. The air feels light. It invites short hikes, unhurried picnics and a little fruit-picking where orchards allow.
One place captures that shift better than most: Jibjat, in the Dhofar range under the Wilayat of Taqah. Over recent years, it has earned the nickname “Star of Sarb”— a high, open landscape of soft ridgelines and long views, close enough for day trips yet far enough to feel still. People come for the quiet: a rug on the grass, a thermos, a breeze and a sky that keeps clearing as the season settles.
Camping is part of the rhythm here. Authorities have set aside designated zones so the experience stays safe and the environment is protected. Clear signs, waste points and basic facilities make a difference — especially for families trying camping for the first time. By night, the thinner cloud cover brings stargazing back into focus; by day, short trails suit those who prefer a scenic wander to a demanding hike.
Good habits keep Sarb special. Visitors are asked to use the marked areas, take rubbish out, avoid off-track driving and respect plants and grazing lands. It’s simple courtesy — and it means the place looks as good at sunset as it did in the morning.
Sarb also matters for livelihoods. An extended season keeps people moving — on the roads, in cafés, at small farms and local stalls. With a little more structure — well-marked paths, information boards, first-aid points and serviced camping spots —Jibjat and neighbouring sites can hold visitors longer, broaden the mix of travellers, and channel more spending to local SMEs and producers.
This year’s handover feels purposeful. Dhofar isn’t just a monsoon postcard; it is becoming a multi-season destination. If visitors play their part — treading lightly, buying local, and keeping the landscape tidy — Jibjat will shine again as the Star of Sarb: bright days, open horizons, and a spring that belongs to this place alone.
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