Luxury Camping on a remote Yemeni Island – My Journey with Traveling Socotra
If you told me a year ago that I’d be sleeping under a sky full of stars on one of the most remote islands on earth, eating freshly caught lobster, and waking up to the sound of waves crashing against white sand dunes—I probably wouldn’t have believed you. But that’s exactly what happened when I traveled to Socotra, an island so surreal it feels like a dream you never want to wake up from.
Before this trip, I’d barely heard of Socotra. Most people haven’t. It’s part of Yemen but sits way out in the Arabian Sea, closer to Somalia than mainland Yemen. Sounds remote? It is. And that’s exactly what makes it so special. Whilst Socotra is definitely not your typical holiday destination, with no big hotels or fancy restaurants. What you do get is something far more rare: total disconnection from the rest of the world, landscapes that look like they belong on an alien planet, and wild untouched beauty that I’ve never experienced anywhere else.
The Magic of Socotra
From the moment we landed, it felt like I’d stepped into a National Geographic documentary. The team tailored the trip to help us find the best weather on the island as well as camp spots that were secluded from other tour groups so we could enjoy the peace. As soon as we landed we drove out to the magical Detwah Lagoon, and spent day 1 and 2 exploring the north coast, with wild dolphins, friendly fishing villages and the beautiful Shoab beach.
By the beginning of day 3 we were already camping up in the mountains. This is where we found the ancient Dragon Blood Trees endemic to the island, I don’t think any photo could do this place justice its truly unique! Days 4 and 5 took us to Zahek Dunes where we watched an incredible sunset, had a campfire under the stars and rode camels over the dunes. Though if I had to pick I think my favourite places came in the last couple of days, when we made it to Kaleesan Canyon, one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever swam, and of course Arher sand dunes. This was the place that had first inspired my trip to the island and climbing up the dunes for sunrise is a feeling I will never forget.
Traveling with Traveling Socotra
Socotra is more than just landscapes. It’s the people. Our guide from Traveling Socotra Abdul-Raoof and our driver Hani were incredibly thoughtful and attentive throughout our trip. And made me feel safe and at ease as soon as we arrived to the island even as a young female traveller. Amer made sure we never went hungry and prepared us three delicious meals per day, Abo sang to us every night and never failed to make us laugh. They were a huge part of our experience and made us fall in love with their island more. By the end of our 8 days in Socotra the team felt like close friends!
But it’s not just the hospitality that makes this company special. They also know the island like the back of their hand, and they’ve created something genuinely unique—a luxury eco-camp right in the heart of nature. We choose the luxury camp set up, which was 100% worth it. A spacious tepee style tent and a big comfy air matress — as opposed to sleeping on a rollout mat on the ground!
The team always set out our camp spot every evening before we arrived, and we even had a portable toilet and shower, which is incredible considering how remote we were. It felt like the perfect balance between adventure and comfort.
The trip of a lifetime!
I’ve traveled to a lot of beautiful places, but Socotra was different. Maybe it was being disconnected from the world, maybe it was the feeling of being completely emerged in raw nature, or maybe it was the locals who never hesitated to make us feel welcome.
What I do know is that Traveling Socotra made this trip unforgettable. Their care, their passion for the island, and their luxury camp turned the most unique place in the world into the most incredible experience of my life. If you’re even thinking about going to Socotra—do it with Traveling Socotra. You won’t regret it 🙂
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