Pristine, Untouched, Unique Socotra

I went glamping on Socotra with two friends in February.

I had booked a private tour to Socotra that was supposed to start and end in Abu Dhabi, but due to the conflict on the mainland Yemen, the start and end point was changed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia instead.

Three of us and about 65 or so other tourists were the second group who arrived in Socotra after 600+ stranded tourists had been evacuated in January. The many complications and negative travel reports beforehand ultimately turned out to be a blessing for us, because we practically had the island almost entirely to ourselves, which is exactly what I had imagined Socotra would be.

According to the locals, there were about 70% fewer tourists on the island when we arrived and that we were experiencing and enjoying the untouched, dramatic incredible beautiful and alien looking landscapes, and scenery of Socotra as it was 5 –10 years ago.

Despite the logistic nightmare, it was one of the most amazing trips I have ever taken.