💧 Everyday Logistics - Food, Water, Fuel

The success of a road trip like this doesn’t just depend on the places you visit. It also depends on how well you manage the basics.

Luckily, Oman makes most of this surprisingly easy. If you know where to look.

Finding Water

Good news. Water in Oman is widely available, and free!

You’ll find public taps:

• Along the side of the road

• Near small villages

• At mosques

• At petrol stations

• At public rest areas

I used the iOverlander app constantly to locate water refill points. It’s incredibly helpful for finding taps that other travelers have already marked.

Note on Mosques: Many mosques have accessible water taps on their property; however, as a solo female traveler, I never relied on mosques for water. Sometimes women are not permitted to enter certain mosque areas, and if the tap is inside the property, you may not be able to access it independently.

Stocking Up on Food

You’ll find small supermarkets everywhere, even in relatively small towns.

They may look simple from the outside, but they usually carry everything you need. Some staples that I made sure I ALWAYS had with me are:

• Instant noodles

• Pasta

• Tomato sauce

• Hummus

• Peanut butter

• Rice crackers

• Snacks (cookies, chips)

• Water bottles

• Yoghurt

• Granola/Muesli

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Instant coffee

• Tea

• Toilet paper

• Wet wipes

• Biodegradable soap

Most shops also sell ice for your fridge or cooler, but you need to ask. They usually keep it in the back. I refreshed my ice almost daily without any issues.

Road Trip Meal Ideas

Cooking while camping changes your standards in the BEST way. Out there, the simpler the better.

You don’t want elaborate recipes, or ten ingredients. After a long day of driving, setting up camp, and navigating terrain, the last thing you want is a complicated meal.

The key is simplicity and efficiency. For me, that meant:

• Instant noodles. The key is to add a RIDICULOUS amount of peanut butter. It will make it taste better AND add in some extra nutrition. Add some broccoli or carrots from time to time too to get in those vitamins!

• Pasta with store-bought sauce (minimal effort)

• Rice cakes with hummus/cucumber or peanut butter/banana

• Simple wraps (same principle as the rice cakes)

Trust me. n the wilderness, after a long drive, sitting next to your car with sand in your hair... All of this will taste like the best meal you’ve ever had.

Eating Out

Restaurants are plentiful and surprisingly affordable. Local spots cheap and filling. Plus, Omani food is actually delicious!

I usually treated myself to one proper restaurant meal per day, especially when passing through towns. It’s a good way to eat something warm and fresh, and to take a break from camp cooking.

Tip: definitely try Khubz ragag - a traditional Omani flatbread. It’s thin and slightly crispy, almost like a crepe, and made fresh on a hot metal plate. You can choose different fillings like eggs, cheese, za'atar, or labneh. It's the perfect quick on-the-go breakfast (or snack, or lunch)!

Finding Fuel

Fuel stations are common and easy to find in most parts of Oman.

Gas stations here are super well-maintained, serviced, AND fuel is relatively affordable compared to Europe. Another win :)

However, keep in mind that in mountain regions and the desert, stations become less frequent to non-existent, of course. So, before:

• Entering Wahiba Sands

• Driving Wadi Bani Awf

• Heading deep into remote mountains

Always fill up.

Use Google Maps or iOverlander to check station locations in advance.