A guided tour, usually by a member of the Harsusi tribe, is the only worthwhile way to visit the reserve although you can visit the portacabin information centre and captive oryx herd for free. The guides don't speak English and act as navigators only. The reserve, access to which is by 4WD only, is 50km off the Hayma–Duqm road (Hwy 37) on a poorly graded track marked 'Habab', 110km from Hayma. After 23km along the track, veer right.
A full-day's tour includes the remarkable windblown formations of the Huqf Escarpment, deep in the reserve but it has to be said that even here there is only a slim chance of spotting gazelles, hares or ibex let alone wild oryx.
Since its fall from grace , wild camping with your own equipment outside the reserve is the only accommodation at present and you need to bring all your own supplies of food and water. Keep clothes under canvas as there is always a heavy dew by the morning – this is how the animals survive in the absence of surface water.
