Jabal Samhan - the highest mountain in southern Oman

The Jabal Samhan massif, which is almost 2,000 metres high, is one of the country's most important nature reserves. It covers an area of 4,500 square kilometres and is home to Arabia's last mountain leopards.

A winding road leads to a high plateau and a small hotel on the edge of the Jebel Samhan. Those who stay here have the opportunity to experience impressive sunsets and sunrises. Clouds drifting in from the sea often rise slowly up the mountain massif, which drops steeply to the coastal plain. The warm, soft light contrasts magically with the cool shadows over the sea, and the mountain slopes form silhouettes like paper cut-outs.

► Hotels in the Dhofar region