Socotra Yemen : Journey to the Alien Planet of my Dreams
#bucketlistdestinations
Guys, I finally did it. I made it to Socotra, Yemen. You know when you see pictures of a place and you think it must be photoshopped? That is Socotra, except it’s real and it’s even more mindblowing in person.
Stepping off the plane, I felt like I’d been teleported to a different star system. We spent our first morning wandering through groves of the legendary Dragon’s Blood trees, these bizarre, umbrella-shaped ancient plants that look completely prehistoric, especially against the backdrop of limestone mountains, exactly like you can see in some of the photos here.
When we weren’t staring at the flora, we were scrambling over brilliant white karst rocks surrounding the most insane emerald and turquoise rock pools. We spent hours just swimming and exploring these natural pools, feeling like the first people to ever discover them.
It’s wild because there are seriously NO tourists, so it felt like our own private paradise. This place has been at the very top of my bucket list forever, and I’m telling you, it’s 100% worth the hype, and then some.
Okay, logistically, how do you get here and what are the details, because this isn't exactly easy. First things first, you can’t just buy a ticket and wing it. Getting to Socotra requires booking with a specialized tour operator who will manage your visa and all the local permits.
We flew on Yemenia Airlines from Cairo, Egypt. That specific charter flight only runs like once a week, and it’s about a two and a half hour flight. Forget everything you know about standard tourism.
There are no fancy resorts, luxury restaurants, or organized group buses. Instead, you are looking at a week of incredible expedition style travel. We loaded up 4x4 vehicles with a driver and local guide, who, let me tell you, are absolute legends. They literally do everything for you, from navigating the non existent roads to whipping up delicious meals on a gas burner.
Our days were packed, starting early for stunning sunrises, hiking, swimming in wadis and lagoons, and of course, hunting down the best views of the iconic Dragon’s Blood forests. We slept out under the stars in tents, listening to the ocean or the wind, and it was perfect.
So what does an adventure like this actually cost? To be totally honest, it is not a budget trip, but you get what you pay for. The visa and permits alone are several hundred dollars, and the tour, which includes your 4x4, driver, guide, food, and camping gear for a full week, can range from like fifteen hundred up to three thousand US dollars per person, not including your flights. You have to bring lots of cash too, because credit cards and ATMs are basically non existent once you land in the capital, Hadibo.
When we weren’t exploring, we spent time in Hadibo, and my local suggestion for you is to visit the small spice markets and just soak in the culture. The local people speak Socotri, which is distinct from Arabic, but they are incredibly friendly. When visiting the villages, remember to dress respectfully, especially for women, it’s essential.
Also, bring a headlamp for camping, tons of extra batteries and memory cards for your camera, your own sunblock, and any reef safe mosquito repellent. Trust me on the headlamp.
This island isn't for everyone, it is truly wild and rugged. But if you are craving a life changing, utterly unique adventure on a planet that truly feels out of this world, then put Socotra on your list and go before it changes too much.
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