At first glance, Oman seems as unlikely to be teeming with wildlife as any other desert country. What makes Oman different is the diversity of its landscape – the waters of the Indian Ocean teem with life, meaning that whales and dolphins are commonly spotted during morning cruises. Birdwatchers are well catered for too, with an impressive range of raptors, seabirds and birds from Africa and Asia. The Hajar mountain range, which stretches over the north of the country, is an isolated retreat for the Arabian leopard and a variety of hardy antelopes – not to mention the omnipresent camels!