Yemen: Socotra
Socotra is full of many endemic plants and birds found nowhere else, leading to it’s nicknames: The Galapagos of the Indian Ocean, The most alien looking place on Earth and The Pearl of the Indian Ocean. This otherworldly island is located just 241 km from Somalia and 354 km from mainland Yemen and has an area of about 3,600 sq.km.The archipelago consists of four islands, the largest being Socotra, while the other three are Abd al-Kuri, Samhah and Darsa. The archipelago was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
Over 700 endemic species call this unique island home. Three of the most notable species are the endemic Dragon’s blood trees, the Socotra cucumber tree and Socotra desert rose or Bottle tree. The isolation Socotra has had for millions of years is what has led to all the endemic species present there. Socotri, the language spoken on Socotra is an ancient Semitic language spoken nowhere else on Earth.
At this time most foreign countries are advising against all travel to Yemen due to the ongoing war, but in case of any interest for Socotra, we can arrange a safe trip to the islands.
