Ecosystem Expedition

Socotra's Endemic Species Quest
(6 days/ 5 nights)

Overview:

This itinerary has been specifically designed for nature enthusiasts and relevant professionals to help them delve into the secrets of Socotra's distinct natural wealth and, by extension, give them the opportunity to contribute to new discoveries, research, or conservation initiatives for the island. With over 800 local plant species, including the renowned Dragon blood trees and numerous endemic animal species, the island promises not to disappoint! It is worth noting that in 1993, there were 110 recorded species; 20 years later, they doubled to 229, including 12 endemic ones that breed solely on the island.

Highlights:

Join daily sunrise and sunset trips observing and discovering nature in Socotra's wilderness.
Tick off your list the viewing of endemics and rare (endangered) species.
Enjoy Socotra's endemic flora, including the Dragon blood tree, bottle tree (also known as the Desert Rose), cucumber tree and many others.
Visit the Ayhaft Canyon National Park and swim in its natural freshwater pools.
Hike in the Homhil Protected Area among the Dragon blood, bottle and frankincense trees, and swim in a freshwater pool overlooking the Arabian Sea.
Visit Dixum Heights, and on the Shibhan Plateau make your own 'Socotra postcard' with the highest concentration of Dragon blood trees in the background.
Visit the Detwah Marine Protected Area, one of Yemen's few Ramsar Wetlands sites.
Visit the otherwise unreachable Sayal Shu’ab Island, an important bird nesting ground.
Benefit from the expert scientific guidance of Socotra Daher's founder, Ahmed Saeed Sulaiman Abdullah and his thorough knowledge of the island's endemic life.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival at Socotra airport – Observation of migratory birds around Hadiboh – Eastbound trip with observation of local flora and fauna – Homhil Frankincense Tree Reserve (L, D)

Upon your arrival at the Socotra airport (just after midday on a direct flight from Abu Dhabi, UAE), you will be welcomed by our Socotra Daher team headed by Ahmed.
From the airport, you will drive directly to nearby areas that host many migratory birds, especially the valleys along the coast from Hadiboh to Hulaf. You will visit Wadi Sirhan, Wadi Shaq and Head of Hulaf where, among other things, you can observe the Socotra Cisticola Cisticola haesitatus (endemic, NT) and the Socotra Scops Owl Otus socotranus (endemic, taxonomy under review).
You will then continue driving through the valleys around Hadiboh (the capital of Socotra), the Qahqih region, as well as the Hulaf region. You will have the opportunity to observe wildlife such as migratory and sea birds, as well as insects and reptiles, including endemic ones. You will also see many palm trees, acacia trees, and endemic plant species in these valleys.

Later in the day, you will head towards the eastern part of Socotra to the natural reserve and protected area of Homhil, passing through Wadi Hadiboh, Wadi Sirhan, Wadi Shaq, Wadi Dibnah, as well as mountain villages inhabited by local nomadic tribes. On the way, you will stop at Qaria Lagoon, the largest lagoon on the island where you will hopefully see flamingos, herons and greenshanks.
Once at Homhil, you can enjoy a short hike, observing deep ravines that cut through the plateau, surrounded by local fauna and endemic plants such as Dragon blood trees, bottle trees and frankincense trees.

Accommodation: Camping at Homhil.

Day 2: Visit to Ayhaft Canyon National Park, one of the most important sites for endemic birds and plants (B, L, D)

After an early morning, pre-sunrise nature expedition, you will hop in the 4x4 cars and head out to one of the most important national parks in the Socotra Archipelago: the UNESCO-protected Ayhaft Canyon National Park. There you will have the opportunity to swim in the natural freshwater pools surrounded by tamarind trees, cucumber trees and a wide variety of birds such as the Socotra Sparrow, the Socotra Sunbird and both Socotra and Somali starlings.

Ayhaft is considered a natural nursery due to its abundance of endemic trees, plants and birds: plants like Boswellia ameero, Boswellia sp., Commiphora ornifolia, tamarind trees, cucumber trees and a wide variety of birds such as the Socotra Sparrow and the Socotra Sunbird.

Lunch will be served in the valley, followed by more birdwatching and natural observation in the afternoon and night observation of insects and reptiles.

Accommodation: Camping at Ayhaft.

Day 3: At Dixum Heights to see the Socotra Bunting and Dragon blood trees – Exploring the south coast, sand dunes and Omaq Cave (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you will head to Dixum Heights: the most important and largest national park on Socotra. There, you will spend ample time to spot important rare local birds currently decreasing in numbers due to loss of habitat, such as the Socotra Bunting Emberiza socotrana. You will also stop at Shibhan Plateau, the largest forest of Dragon blood trees on the island and from there, you will head to Wadi Darhour for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will drive to the south of Socotra and the Indian Ocean: an area full of flatlands and palm trees. On the way, you will stop at many bird sites, including the area of Nojd with the endemic bird Socotra Cisticola. You will also explore the Dagub Cave, which is home to numerous species of local fauna. Birds can be observed in the fruit laden palm trees as well as in the wetlands close to the camping site.

Accommodation: Camping at Omaq.

Day 4: Exploring Detwah, one of Socotra’s most important wetlands natural reserves (B, L, D)

The Detwah Marine Protected Area on the west coast of Socotra is one of the most significant wetlands areas on the island and the only area in the entire Yemen and Socotra Archipelago that has been declared a Ramsar Wetlands area.
On the way there you will pass by Qalansiya, a quaint fishermen’s town (the second in size on the island), with traditional Socotri houses, narrow alleyways and a beach full of fishing boats.
Then you will continue towards the Detwah Lagoon, a marine protected area with a white sandy tongue surrounded by turquoise waters. You can spend the rest of the day swimming or observing local flora and fauna.

Accommodation: Camping at Detwah (or nearby).

Day 5: A special birdwatching boat trip to Sayal Shu’ab Island and the Su’ab Mangrove Reserve (B, L, D)

At dawn, you will hop on a fishing boat and head to the small island of Sayal Shu’ab, one of the most important nesting areas for seabirds such as the Socotra Cormorant, the Masked Gannet and others. During the boat journey you may observe many sea birds, including Jouanin’s Petrel Bulweria fallax (endemic breeder, NT), Red-billed Tropicbird Phaethon aethereus, Persian Shearwater Puffinus persicus, Brown Booby Sula leucogaster, Bridled Tern Onychoprion anaethetus and many others.
Time permitting, on the return towards Qalansiya you will visit the Shu’ab Mangrove Reserve and hopefully see dolphins and also seabird nesting areas along the way.

Once back on the main island of Socotra, you will head towards Hadiboh and set up camp on Delisha Beach for the night.

Accommodation: Camping at Delisha Beach.

Day 6: Birdwatching at Delisha Beach – Departure (B)

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Team Leader:

Ahmed Saeed Sulaiman Abdullah is a researcher and expert on the fauna and flora in the Socotra Archipelago, specializing in birds. For over two decades he has been heading major environmental organizations on the island, and through projects like "Support to the Integrated Program for the Conservation and Development of Socotra Archipelago", he has been actively involved in the local sustainable development and preservation. He participated in the preparation of Socotra's zoning plan, an important tool of environmental activities on the island, confirmed by presidential decree, as well as in the organization of pilot, community-based eradication campaigns and awareness activities to protect endemic species from extinction as a result of the introduction of alien species (e.g. Prosopis juliflora and Opuntia stricta, that is, the Prickly Pear). Ahmed also organizes and implements major environment awareness events on Socotra, such as Vulture Awareness Day and Wetlands Day.
Ahmed's invaluable presence throughout the trip will offer the participants expert insight into Socotra's unique environment and an understanding of the island's ongoing preservation activities.

The price includes:

Plane ticket Abu Dhabi – Socotra – Abu Dhabi.
Visa processing and visa cost.
Airport assistance and transfers on Socotra.
Meals, as described in the itinerary (B, L, D).
Bottled drinking water daily.
Accommodation as described in the itinerary (5 nights in camping spots).
All camping gear (tents, mattresses, pillows, chairs, tables, cutlery, cooking gear) and service (daily pitching and packing of the tents and preparation of meals).
Transport with comfortable 4x4 cars.
English-speaking guide.
The presence of Ahmed Saeed Sulaiman Abdullah: an expert on local birds and biodiversity.
All necessary trip assistance.

The price does not include:

Arrival to and departure from Abu Dhabi airport.
Travel insurance.
Personal expenses (shopping, tips, laundry, phone calls, etc.)

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Disclaimer

The itinerary and schedule are subject to change due to weather, road challenges or operating conditions. At any moment, the guide has the right to change the program for the safety and convenience of the travelers.
Furthermore, the trip's price does not cover expenses that may occur due to conditions beyond Socotra Daher’s control (force majeure). Such cases include but are not limited to extreme weather conditions, flight cancellations or delays, and natural phenomena, such as earthquakes, volcano eruptions, hurricanes. The Socotra Daher team will do its best to assist you with alternative arrangements, but all new costs incurred, as a result of force majeure, are to be covered by the traveler.
It is strongly recommended that, before your departure, you purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation costs, loss of baggage and/ or personal items, medical emergencies, and other unexpected circumstances.