Visit one of the strangest places in the whole world, an island that will take you in an adventure through the botanical world, considered to be the most isolated island in the world, where you will enjoy an incredible peace and tranquility, and admire the most rare and beautiful flora and fauna that you have ever seen; the island of Socotra stands isolated between the Guardafui Channel and the Arabian Sea, and is often described as the Galápagos of the Indian Ocean.
Located on the other side of the world, on the coast off the Horn of Africa, you can find a variety of islands that belong to the Socotra archipelago in Yemen. This set of islands was born when, around 30 million years ago, the land masses of Africa and Asia separated, leaving behind a group of scattered islands, and forming some kind of separate, lost world.
“The Galapagos of the Indian Ocean”, was the nickname given by scientists to this island, because when you explore the area, you can find an endless number of plants, some of them unique in the world, ranging from aromatic to medicinal plants. Diodorus of Sicily, a Greek historian, described the island as the supply of plants for the whole world.
In this strange paradise, you will find a quite peculiar tree: The Dragon’s Blood Tree, with its alien, umbrella-like appearance, with “spokes” spreading under the leaves, making it look like its roots are on the top of the tree. This species bears that name because it has a bright red sap that is used as medicine and dye. It can be compared to a large, fat snail with a number of legs climbing a vertical rock.
Just as you can find this peculiar tree, you will not miss the famous desert rose when you come across, a flower in the shape of a bottle, whose antler-shaped branches sprout with small, pink flowers. All these plants are designed to store water or maximize their collection.
Among the species of animals, Socotra has a wide variety of birdlife, holding its own species of starlings, sunbirds, and sparrows, as well as cysticolous and warblers, to mention a few, and there are several important areas for the breeding of seabirds. The sea also attracts species in large groups, like dolphins, sea turtles, whales, sharks (including whale sharks), stingrays, marlin and thousands of small fish.
Just for you to know
To embark in this curious trip, we recommend you to visit the Socotra archipelago between October and April, so you avoid strong winds, the high seas, and enjoy a little bearable heat. You can take a 50-minute flight from Aden and Sanaa in mainland Yemen, departing once a week, and from Riyan Mukalla flights depart 5 times a week, skipping Wednesdays or Sundays.
On the island you will not find taxis or public transportation that will take you around the place, so you can rent a 4WD vehicle; most of them come with an English-speaking guide, a driver and a cook. You can also use dollars to pay and the most recommendable thing is to camp in the area, always being respectful with the traditions of the locality and the dress codes, it is very important. You must be forewarned, some areas of Yemen are considered unsafe due to the transit of government warnings.
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