Before you book: the essentials
The details that most often affect dates, budget and whether a route can actually run.
01Getting to Socotra
We take care of arrival from start to finish: flight booking assistance, visa processing, airport pickup and the transfer to camp. Tell us your departure city and we will reply with the practical route and cost.,Yemenia currently flies between Jeddah and Socotra. The alternative is via Cairo and Aden. The round trip to Socotra costs around USD 980 and varies by airline and season; changes and refunds follow the airline's rules.
02Visa
A permit must be arranged in advance through a licensed local operator. We prepare the paperwork; you provide your passport details and a photo.,Visa fee: USD 170 per person.
03Season & weather
The camp runs by season. We open on the last Thursday of September and close on the first Thursday of May. During the monsoon months in between, flights stop and the camp closes.,The current season runs from 24 September 2026 to 6 May 2027. Days are warm on the plateau and nights are cool, while the coast stays milder. The temperature swing between day and night is noticeable.
04Safety
Yemenia currently operates flights between Jeddah and Socotra. Visas and island permits are arranged through licensed operators, and tickets are booked directly with the airline, never through resellers.,When Socotra flights were suspended in early 2026, we moved our guests to Jeddah immediately and completed their trips as planned. We covered the difference in airfare, and guests who chose to cancel received a full refund. We cannot control conditions in the region. Safety comes first, and that responsibility sits with us.
05Power & connectivity
Every trip includes solar or generator power, charging points outside the tents for cameras and phones, and Starlink, at no extra cost. Charging is not available inside the tents. Starlink is fine for messages and basic work, but speeds vary with weather and the number of people online; it is not hotel-grade broadband. Mobile coverage is patchy and usually best around Hadibu.
06Fitness & terrain
Most of each day is spent in a 4x4, with short walks from the vehicle. Some sites involve 20–60 minutes on uneven ground; none of the walking is technical.
Go deeper into your trip
Seven focused guides answer the questions that come after the basics: how to choose a date, what a trip costs, which route fits, what the camp is really like, and how to see the island's landscapes and dragon blood trees.
Arrival and permits
How to Get to Socotra: Flights, Visa and Arrival
Understand the current flight routes to Socotra, the permit and visa process, and how airport pickup connects to a guided island journey.
Season and weather
Best Time to Visit Socotra: Season, Weather and Camping
Plan around Socotra's operating season, understand the difference between the coast and highlands, and choose a month that fits your preferred journey.
Budget and inclusions
Socotra Tour Cost: What Shapes the Price of a Trip
Compare current Socotra journey prices, understand the flight and visa costs outside the trip price, and see what changes a private quote.
Route planning
Socotra 8-Day Itinerary: Coast, Dragon Blood Forest and Detwah
See how an eight-day Socotra tour connects Arher, Homhil, Diksam, Firmihin, Detwah, Shuab and Qalansiyah without rushing the island.
Choose a journey
Socotra Tour or Expedition: Group, Photography or Private
Compare our small-group tour, photography expedition and private journey by group size, daily rhythm and the kind of traveller each one suits.
Dragon blood trees
Where to See Dragon Blood Trees in Socotra
Find the dragon blood tree landscapes on a Socotra itinerary, including Diksam Plateau, Firmihin Forest and the Homhil highlands.
Camp life
What Luxury Camping in Socotra Is Really Like
A practical guide to Socotra's seasonal camps: how they are set up, how Diksam, Arher and Detwah differ, and the level of comfort you can genuinely expect.
Frequently asked questions
How big are the groups?
Small-group tours take up to 12 guests. Photography workshops run six times each March–April and are limited to eight participants. Private trips are for your party only.
Where do we sleep?
In our private seasonal camp, pitched before you arrive and staffed by our own crew.
What is included at camp?
All trips include breakfast, lunch, dinner and soft drinks. Solar or generator power, charging points outside the tents and Starlink are also included at no extra cost. Charging is not available inside the tents.
What is not included?
The international flight to the departure point, the round-trip flight to Socotra (about USD 980, subject to change), the visa fee (USD 170), travel insurance and personal extras.
What happens if I have to cancel?
Small-group tours carry a USD 300 cancellation service fee; photography expeditions and private trips carry USD 500. Package prices cover Socotra land arrangements only; flights and visas are separate and follow their provider's rules. One date change may be requested per booking, including within the final 60 days before departure. If we cancel a confirmed journey, the package price paid to us is fully refundable. Full terms are on each journey page.
How do I book?
Send us your dates and group size through the enquiry form. We usually reply within one to two business days with a tailored itinerary and quote. A deposit is required to confirm the booking. The remaining balance must be paid in full no later than two months before departure. If the booking is made less than two months before departure, the remaining balance is due on the day of arrival in Socotra.
Can you arrange everything before we land?
Yes. We arrange the permit, flights, airport pickup and camp before you arrive.