Socotra Islands

We welcome solo bird watchers beginner or experienced, there can be many advantages in bird watching with an organized group of like-minded people under the guidance of an expert birder with local knowledge.

The birdlife of the island is incredibly diverse; supposedly over 450 species of birds recorded of which nearly 6 species are endemic to the island (Socotra rock Banting  (Emberiza socotran), Socotra Cisticola (Cisticola haesitata), Socotra Sparrow or“SOCOTRA GRACKLE” (Onychognathus frater), Socotra Starling, Socotra Sunbird (Nectarinia balfouri), and Socotra Warbler (Incana incana).

And about 11 are endemic sub-species for instance, Socotra Buzzard (Buteo buteo ssp). As well as more than 45 species of birds breeding on the island such as Forbes-Watson’s Swift, Somali Starling, Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Palm Doves (Streptopelia senegalensis), etc.

And provides a large number of migrant birds arrive to the island during winter and summer of which waders and other coastal birds make up a significant proportion like Greater Flamingoes (Phoenicopterus rubber), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Sooty-Gulls (Larus hemprichii), Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), etc. Unfortunately, there is not enough data in regard to the migrant species.

For an adventure of a lifetime, Socotra Travel Center offers a number of tours on local boat excursions with a 40 horsepower engine for fishing. You can take one of our organized tours and be taken to incomparable destinations.

The trip to Shouab Beach is a half-day tour to discover the beauty of this remarkable destination. With the clear water and white sands you can snorkel and relax. While driving the boat, dolphins can be seen swimming right next to the boat.

The island of Socotra is perhaps best known for its unique botany, with over a third of the plant species endemic to the archepelago.  Perhaps most famous among all of these is the dragonblood tree (Dracaena cinnabari).  When scarred each tree runs red sap that is used as a cosmetic coloring, for paints, and for medicine.

However, this is truly a land of fabled wonder, and other trees include the bottle tree (Dorstenia gigas), the World’s only form of cucumber that is a tree (Dendrosicyos socotranus), frankincense trees, multiple endemic types of aloe, and many others plants.  It seems to be the land that Dr. Seuss used as inspiration for many of his classic tales.

RID AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND CLOSER TO NATURE:

If you prefer not to walk on your own two feet, you can camel riding one of our camels, called “the ship of the desert”, only when you have ridden on a camel with us, you will know the feeling of sailing at a steady pace.

Camel rides with Socotra Travel Center on Socotra Island are a rewarding and fun experience, it is an opportunity to get to know and enjoy the spectacular scenery and relax in the rhythm of ancient times.

For those with a love for both adventure and untouched nature, Socotra Island is the right adventure waiting for you along a coast of endless and empty sand beaches, mountain views, and unique wild-life; you will be all the more enticed when you know you will have them all to yourself.

Socotra Travel Center can carry all the camping equipment and cooking gear or you can opt for any one of the several campsites like Dihamri and Homhil. This camps offer accommodations, catering and quality facilities and services.

A safari is an overland journey, usually a trip by tourists in Africa. In the past, the trip was often a big-game hunt, but today, safaris are often to observe and photograph wildlife—or hiking and sightseeing, as well.

In 1836 William Cornwallis Harris led an expedition purely to observe and record wildlife and landscapes by the expedition’s members. Harris established the safari style of journey, starting with a not too strenuous rising at first light, an energetic day walking, an afternoon rest then concluding with a formal dinner and telling stories in the evening over drinks and tobacco. The hunting aspect traditionally associated with the safari is said to have its origins in the early 1800s in the region of Évora, Alentejo, where villagers got together to hunt wild boar and reclaim land for farming.

Hiking the dunes on Socotra is unique as there is no trail. Everyone blazes their own.  Forever shifting and changing in the wind but always staying in the same place. Rising almost 800 feet the dunes are easily accessed. Prepare for seasonal conditions with proper clothing, sun protection, and water. If hiking barefoot during the summer months, pack sandals or shoes for the decent.  Aim at the highest dune and start walking. Each step is forgiving as the soft sand falls away and creates an impression. One step forward, half step back. Every few minutes, stop and look around. In a hurry? Don’t be. Enjoy the pace and the views as you hike, for there is no way to turn an ankle! Feel the valley breezes kissing the skin. Reach the top and photo opp.

Hiking-trekking is for those fascinated by the unexplored regions, Socotra Island offers breathtaking, enthralling trekking trails. As you approach Socotra by air or sea, you may look at the mountainous terrain and conclude that walking the island is perhaps only for the fitness, young, and adventurous!!! We tell you that this is not so! You really haven’t seen Socotra Island if you haven’t experienced the island’s wondrous and thrilling landscapes. And they are all so accessible and often effortless to trek.  In the vast range of mountains of “Higher” and Dicksam plateau there are limitless possibilities for trekking. Within the alluring arena, the Scant, Dicksam, and Firmihin regions, occupy the center of the Island, with some points of interest for the trekkers. The Scant, Tinnera, Firmihin, and Dersmotin regions, are the most popular destinations for trekkers. However, Ayhaft Canyon, Momi, and some places in the west and west-south also have some very interesting trekking routes as well. Spectacular views apart, the Higher foothills are just ideal for trekking, offering energetic outdoor people a different and exciting option for a holiday.

Trekking/hiking as a sports activity does not require prior training practice or physical condition, there are certain DOS & DON’TS that should be adhered to. Trails should be carefully chosen as some treks may be more difficult, or may involve high-altitude trekking, it is generally advisable to be accompanied by a local guide. And ensure that the pace of the trek is not too rapid, since this could result in exhaustion, and would in any case not be enjoyable.

Since no mechanized, backup is taken and involved. Walk off into highland and lower cost, on a dormitory camel- hiking or riding! Join a camel trail into breathtaking aeries; feel free to go where you want with out being bothered by limitations of water supply and heavy backpack; or luggage restrictions.

Enjoy the thrill and excitement of riding over plateaus and varying colors panoramas and heights of mountains rings of Dicksam plateau and Higghir. You will certainly enjoy the scenic swaying along the way at a leisurely pace high on a camel back, gives you great views of this country.

Kit surfing is ….

Paragliding on Socotra Islands  is the recreational and competitive adventure sport of flying paragliders: lightweight, free-flying, foot-launched glider aircraft with no rigid primary structure. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing. Wing shape is maintained by the suspension lines, the pressure of air entering vents in the front of the wing, and the aerodynamic forces of the air flowing over the outside.

Despite not using an engine, paraglider flights can last many hours and cover many hundreds of kilometers, By skillful exploitation of sources of lift, the pilot may gain height, often climbing to altitudes of a few thousand meters.

Discover some of the most breathtaking and dramatic landscapes in the Islands of Socotra. These islands boast some of the most majestic nature, photograph the natural wonders of the land of  majestic landscapes.  From massive Dragon’s Blood Tree, impressive beaches, and epic valleys and waterfalls, turquoise lakes, this region is one of the best natural wonders in the continent.

Scuba Diving in Socotra Islands

Scuba diving in Socotra has gained more importance among visitors to the island during the last years. Socotra Island’s warm tropical waters are legendary among divers for their dramatically sheer walls

rising from the depths to within inches of the surface and capped with thriving coral reefs.

Socotra Island is home to more than 680 species of fish about 230 species of hard corals (five are endemic) and 30 species of soft corals. In addition to 300 species of crustaceans (nine are endemic), 490 species of mollusks, and 230 species of algae.

A mild climate all year round (except the monsoon), water temperatures of 27 to 36°C, depending on the season, crystal clear waters, and the likelihood of viewing species like barracudas, monkfish, dolphins, rays and even mantas are the main reasons why lovers of this sport consider the island of Socotra more and more for their diving holidays.

From current swept plateaus to sheltered coral gardens, Socotra offers a wonderful range of diving for every level of interest and skill. Socotra also offers extraordinary dives of some old shipwrecks.

The majority of diving on the Island is drift diving along the walls, and coral gardens of the outer reefs, with the dive boat following along from the surface to meet you upon ascent.