Dreaming of Oman

Q: Ever since I saw a television feature on the Shangri-La resort in Oman, I have wanted to visit it and check out this interesting sultanate. As a South African passport holder, do I need a visa to enter the country? What is the easiest way to get there and how much would it cost to stay at the Shangri-La? - Kate Durham

A: South Africans can buy a tourist visa at the airport. The visa is valid for two weeks and costs 20 Omani Rial (R360). The easiest way to get there would be to fly with one of the Middlei Eastern airlines like Emirates or Etihad and then connect to Muscat. The hotel you are interested in, Shangri-La's Barr Al Jissah Resort and Spa, actually consists of three hotels, all nestling alongside the sparkling bay of Al Jissah in a dramatic desert setting. Al Waha (The Oasis) is designed for family getaways, with the swimming pools forming an oasis. Al Bandar (The Town) is home to a host of meeting rooms and a ballroom, while Al Husn (The Castle) is the most luxurious of the three, offering a private beach. The daily rate will depend on which resort and package you choose, but broadly the rates range from 154 - 370 Omani Rials ( R2,800- R6,700) per night. You can book through a travel agent or on the internet at www.shangri-la.com. (3/10/10)