Best of Socotra Tour
Brief information
Travel time: October - April
Group tour 3-9 persons
English-speaking guide
Camping tour in a single tent
3 meals per day
Drinks included
Including flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra and back
Including visa Yemen
Including all transfers on site
Price: 2750€
Ready for an unforgettable adventure in one of the most extraordinary places on earth? Then a trip to Socotra is just the thing for you. A dream destination for all those who are looking for something special and want to experience nature in its most pristine form. Socotra is a remote island with a landscape and biodiversity that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. A place that seems to be from another planet, pristine, wild and full of magic.
The biggest attraction is the legendary dragon's blood tree. With its umbrella-shaped crown and bright red resin, it is not only the symbol of the island, but also a botanical wonder that can only be found here.
During this one-week tour, you will discover the most impressive places on the island. In small groups with a maximum of nine people. One of Socotra's most experienced English-speaking guides will lead the trip together with his team. You will travel in off-road Landcruisers in remote regions and spend the night in a tent in particularly beautiful natural locations. This will give you a real sense of adventure and allow you to experience the island in a particularly intense way.
You will also gain deep insights into the culture of the islanders. You will visit small villages, meet the local people and learn more about their customs, their language and their life in this remote world.
Socotra is no ordinary travel destination. It is a place that amazes, inspires and deeply touches. This trip is for all those who are curious about the unknown, love adventure and want to embark on an extraordinary experience.
Travel dates 2026:
27.10. - 03.11. 2026
03.11. - 10.11. 2026
The most extraordinary adventure of your life.
Prepare yourself for adrenaline-filled rides in Landcruisers, the rugged off-road vehicles take us to the most remote places on the island and offer us the opportunity to explore spectacular landscapes that few people have seen before. Socotra is one of the most extraordinary destinations and (still) a hidden gem that few people know about. Join us on this journey and discover Socotra before the big tourism arrives. This week is packed with adventures you will never forget.
Landscapes that will blow you away.
An island full of diversity, look forward to it:
- gigantic white sand dunes
- surreal dragon's blood trees
- Mysterious caves
- magical beaches
- breathtaking gorges
- beautiful lagoons
- intact coral reefs
- species-rich fauna
- endemic plant species
- and much more.
Time off. Life on.
Treat yourself to a whole week to switch off and escape the daily grind - on our unforgettable Socotra trip, you will embark on a true journey back in time! Experience the real, original life far away from the modern world. For 8 days, immerse yourself in a time without the internet and without stress - pure deceleration and pure nature. Socotra + YOU - an unbeatable combination for your time out!
We take care of everything.
So that you can enjoy your vacation on Socotra without a care in the world, we take care of all the organization for you. We take care of your flight, visa, tent set-up, transportation, food and much more. You can relax completely and just let the adventure come to you.
Flight tickets & visa
We organize your flight ticket from Abu Dhabi to Socotra and back. We also take care of the organization for your Socotra visa.
Accommodation in a single tent
We will provide you with a tent, a mattress and bed linen and will also set it up for you.
Transportation
We have several off-road vehicles at our disposal. Each vehicle is driven by an experienced driver. Sit back and enjoy the off-road adventure.
Catering
Throughout our trip on Socotra, a kitchen team will accompany us and prepare three meals a day for us. Drinks are also included.
Boat tour
We take a boat trip to a remote beach. With a bit of luck, we may encounter dolphins along the way.
Local Guides
Our local guide Salem + team will be at our disposal during our entire trip.
Whatsapp group
A WhatsApp group with all participants will be set up to facilitate the exchange of information.
Tour guide
Salem AlKeabany, Local Guide, Travel Guide
Salem is deeply rooted in Socotra. He was born here and knows the island like no other. As a passionate connoisseur of nature with close ties to the local people, he uses humor to provide insights that often remain hidden from normal visitors.
He is particularly committed to protecting Socotra's unique flora. He runs the largest private breeding station for dragon's blood trees and is actively committed to preserving this rare symbol of the island. He passes on his knowledge of flora, fauna and culture with great enthusiasm and makes every encounter with him a special experience.
With Salem by your side, you will not only see Socotra, but really understand it.
Nick Schmid, Organization
I plan and organize your entire trip to Socotra. This includes creating the itinerary, coordinating with the local partners on site and all the coordination in the background. Right from the start, I will be your permanent contact person who will take care of everything and ensure that your trip runs smoothly. You will enjoy a professionally organized tour with close contact to the local guides. I am not on this trip myself, but I am always happy to remain your contact person and can be reached at any time.
Itinerary
Day 1: Meeting point is at the airport in Abu Dhabi. As the flights to Socotra depart in the morning, it is advisable to arrive the day before and spend the night in Abu Dhabi. From there, the onward flight to the island takes place. The flight tickets are included in the price.
Upon arrival on Socotra, you will be welcomed by local guides and drivers. Lunch is then served in the capital Hadibu. In the late afternoon, an excursion to the highlands of Dixam, known for its impressive dragon's blood trees, is on the program. The day ends with a relaxing evening surrounded by the extraordinary landscape.
Day 2: Early in the morning, we head to the edge of a spectacular canyon with a view of the rugged rock faces and majestic dragon's blood trees. From here, the view extends far into the depths and over the barren yet fascinating landscape. The trail then leads to the breeding station for the young dragon's blood trees. Here, our guide Salem and his family work with great dedication to save this rare tree species from disappearing - an important contribution to preserving the sensitive ecosystem. In the afternoon, we embark on an adventurous off-road drive into the remote Firmihin Forest, the only dragon's blood tree forest in the world. The drive over bumpy tracks and through rough terrain leads into an almost surreal setting. The evening ends in the midst of this unique natural backdrop.
Day 3: The day begins with sunrise at one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the Firmihin forest, where the striking dragon's blood trees look particularly impressive at dawn. The route then leads to the south of the island, to an endless dune landscape that merges directly into the Indian Ocean. Here there is time for swimming, walking or simply relaxing on the beach. Those seeking adventure can take a short camel ride along the dunes and experience the coast from a special perspective.
Day 4: The day begins with the sunrise over the vast dune landscape. After breakfast, the journey leads back to Hadibu, where lunch awaits in a local restaurant. We then continue to the far east of the island. Numerous crabs can be observed on the beaches, building artfully shaped sandcastles - a living spectacle of nature. You spend the night right by the sea, at the foot of the imposing sand dunes of Arhrer, accompanied by the sound of the waves.
Day 5: We set off early in the morning to climb one of the gigantic sand dunes of Arher. The dune landscape here is simply spectacular. The climb is strenuous, but the view from the top over the endless Arabian Sea is priceless. At lunchtime, we take a break and relax in a natural infinity pool, one of the most magical places on the island. Surrounded by rocks and with a view into the distance, this pool feels like a gift from nature. It may even be the most beautiful natural infinity pool our planet has to offer. In the evening, we continue to a plateau full of bottle trees. Their bizarre silhouettes in the soft light of the setting sun create an almost fairytale-like atmosphere.
Day 6: After breakfast, we head to Kalysan Canyon, the largest freshwater pool on the island. Here you have the opportunity to take a refreshing swim and relax in the wadi. After lunch, the route leads to Dihamri - a true paradise for sea lovers. The species-rich, untouched coral reef is one of the most beautiful on the island and provides fascinating insights into the colorful underwater life. In the late afternoon, the journey continues to the west of Socotra to a spectacular viewpoint to enjoy the sunset over the coast.
Day 7: Early in the morning, the program includes climbing a mountain from which an impressive bottle tree with a wide view of the turquoise lagoon can be seen. The panorama is breathtaking and leaves a lasting impression. This is followed by an exciting boat trip to a remote, beautiful, secluded beach. With a bit of luck, dolphins will accompany the boat and make for a special experience. The rest of the day is at leisure - for swimming in the sea, relaxing or simply enjoying nature.
Day 8: Breakfast on the beach. Transfer to the airport, farewell and return flight
*Exemplary program, subject to change
Are you a photographer? And would you like to travel with a photography group? Then take a look here and discover our Socotra photo tour experience!
Trip details
Travel information
- Travel dates see above
- Price: €2,750 | €1,500 deposit
- at least 3 participants
- maximum 9 participants
- This tour is not a photo tour
- Travel organization by Nick Schmid
- Including flight from Abu Dhabi to Socotra and back
- Visa Socotra
- English travel guide
- Local chefs and drivers
- All transfers on the island in Landcruisers
- Full board, 3 meals a day
- All drinks
- All overnight stays in a tent in the countryside
- Tents and foam mattresses are provided
- Boat trip to a deserted beach
- Information event before the trip via Teams/Zoom
- Packing list
- Voltage transformer for charging the devices
- Travel insurance certificate § 651s (BGB)
- Arrival / Flight to Abu Dhabi
- German tour guide / tour leader
- Photography workshop
- Travel insurance
- personal expenses
- Import fee for drones 105$
Payment
Payment is made in advance by bank transfer. In order to book the trip, a deposit of €1,500 is required so that we can organize flights, visas and the like. The remaining amount must be paid no later than 60 days before departure. You will receive the details for the final transfer by email after your booking has been received.
Refund and cancellation
If a participant decides to cancel their reservation, they may do so at any time, but once the deposit has been paid, it is no longer fully refundable.
Here are the fixed compensation rates:
- up to 120 days before the start of the trip 25% of the total cost
- less than 120 days before the start of the trip 50% of the total cost
- less than 60 days before the start of the trip 80% of the total cost
- from 30 days before the start of the trip 100% of the total cost
Additional fees may apply if binding travel services have already been booked by Nick Schmid Photography with third parties, such as flights or hotel bookings. In this case, the customer will be invoiced for any cancellation fees. The date stated on the website is the start of the trip.
Requirements:
- Basic physical fitness, the hikes last up to 2 hours.
- Desire for adventure and a foreign culture
- Campinglust, you will sleep outside and not always have access to sanitary facilities.
- Passport that is valid for at least 6 months
Important notes:
- The flight dates for 2026 have not yet been officially confirmed! In the unlikely event that flights are not available, all payments made will be refunded in full. Flight connections to Socotra can be unreliable, it cannot be ruled out that connections may change at short notice.
- Before we book the tour, we have to check whether there are still any flight tickets available, as these are quickly sold out due to the high demand.
- Plan a few extra days buffer in case we have to switch to another flight
- I recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance and international health insurance for your trip.
- I will create a Whatsapp group with all participants so that we can be in constant contact with each other.
- Prices are indicative prices from past tours and may vary slightly.
Socotra documentary
In March 2023 I was on Socotra for 14 days to shoot a movie. Watch my documentary "Socotra - Photographic expedition to a strange world" here for free.
Our mission: to save the dragon's blood trees
The dragon's blood trees on Socotra are threatened with extinction. On this trip we would like to contribute to the protection of these important endemic trees. For every "Best Of Socotra Tour" undertaken, 100 USD will be donated to the conservation of the dragon's blood trees.
Past tours
In March 2023, I traveled to Socotra for the first time to shoot a film. In April 2024, we set off on our first photo trip to Socotra - an incredible adventure full of unforgettable memories. This was followed by a unique trekking expedition in November 2024, during which we explored the island intensively on foot. The second adventure-packed photo trip followed in April 2025. But this is just the beginning:
New in our program: The Socotra Best Of Tours and Private Tours, which allow you to experience Socotra at your own pace. Many more exciting adventures await us. When will you be joining us?
Socotra photo tour, April 2025
Socotra Trekking Expedition, November 2024
Socotra photo tour, April 2024
Socotra Film Production, March 2023
Customer testimonials
" Nick is a likeable young man. He knows his trade. The Socotra trip was very well organized and Nick was always on hand with help and advice. It was an impressive, unique adventure! Thank you! "
Christiane H.
Hobby photographer
"I am so grateful to have traveled to Socotra in 2025 with Nick and an incredible photo travel group. As a beginner photographer, I learned an incredible amount from Nick during the travel workshop. You could really feel that Nick is a passionate photographer who is happy to pass on his knowledge. Every obstacle was removed to make our stay and photo trip on Socotra as pleasant as possible. Even in retrospect, I know that I can always turn to Nick with any questions about photography. Thank you so much, Nick, for your tips and this unforgettable trip!"
Nana N.
Hobby photographer
" First of all, a big, big thank you to you again for the fantastic trip to Socotra. It was really great with you and the wonderful fellow travelers, really, I was "never bored", we laughed at the table from early in the morning until late at night. A wonderful trip is history. Nicole and I are not group travelers, we are always "alone" wherever we go.....but this trip was different....we were a wonderful great group, no one dropped out, everyone accepted "everything", Nick, mersi a lot! "
Hans-Peter and Nicole
Professional photographers
Frequently asked questions
No, Socotra is an extremely peaceful destination. Although the island is part of Yemen, it is characterized by its remote location, which makes it safe. Socotra has a family atmosphere, the people are warm, hospitable and there is no crime. We will reach the island via Abu Dhabi and will never set foot on the Yemeni mainland.
Yes, although there are few local women in public on Socotra due to the cultural conditions, female tourists can feel absolutely free and safe at all times.
You will only have electricity on Socotra in the city. I therefore recommend bringing enough camera batteries with you. We will charge the batteries from the cigarette lighter during our car trips. I will provide a voltage hike. It is advisable to bring additional power banks and possibly solar panels. I will be happy to help you if you have any questions.
That depends on where we are. There are very basic showers and toilets at most campsites, but not everywhere. It is advisable to bring wet wipes as hygiene standards are not very high.
No, we provide a separate tent for each participant.
No, our local partner provides the camping equipment (tent, mattress, pillow, sheets, blanket). For hygienic reasons, however, you can also bring your own bedding and tent.
In Socotra, payment is made in Yemeni rials, but USD is often accepted as well. It is best to take some USD with you if you want to buy something. It is advisable to have the USD changed into Rial. We can do this locally in the capital Habiboh. There are no ATMs and card payments are not possible.
The Best Of Tour is a classic adventure tour with a focus on nature, culture and adventure - ideal for those who want to discover Socotra intensively but do not have a photographic focus. It is led by a local guide,
The photo tour is specially tailored to photographers. We take more time for certain motifs and plan specific shoots at sunrise, sunset and at night. We adapt the daily schedule flexibly to the best light and have additional transportation, which makes the logistical effort more demanding.
I will also accompany you personally as a guide, tour leader and photo coach during the entire photo tour. You will receive continuous photographic support and benefit from my experience and knowledge of the island and its best spots.
Both tours offer unique insights into the beauty of Socotra: the Best Of Tour in a more compact, cost-effective form, the photo tour with maximum focus on unique landscape photography
If you are looking for a good internet connection, you are in the wrong place. A slow mobile phone connection is only available in the city and in a few places. We will spend most of our trip in nature, enjoying life and being offline. 😉
The flights are included. There is currently no way to get Socotra flights online. I am in close contact with the locals and will organize round trip tickets from Abu Dhabi for you.
The visa for Yemen is also included in the price. You will receive a digital copy shortly before your departure. You will then receive the original visa on site. Please make sure that your passport is valid.
Yes, that is also possible. I would be happy to take care of the entire organization for your private trip to Socotra! I can book flights, visas etc. and organize everything you need. Please contact me about this, preferably via WhatsApp.
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