About Us
Discover Socotra was founded with a vision to share the island's extraordinary natural wonders and rich cultural heritage with the world through authentic and responsible travel. Our mission is to create unforgettable travel experiences while supporting local communities and preserving Socotra's unique beauty for future generations.
Our Story
It Began With A Feeling
Over the years, we've proudly built a team of all local Socotri - with decades of experience in travel, hospitality, conservation of biodiversity, and preservation of cultural heritage, and with a whole-hearted love for Socotra.
Meet The Team
Expert | Responsible | Caring
Co-founder and Head of Operations
Ahmed
Guide and Local Expert
Nizar
AKA "The Environmentalist"
Ali began working in the Socotri travel industry when he was just a kid. As time went by, Ali developed a profound love for his island’s nature and culture, leading him to work with various large international organizations including the UN Environmental Programme, Birdlife International, OSME, UNESCO and the RSCN on a number of conservation, environmental education and sustainable development projects. He is beloved by Socotris on every corner of the archipelago and has come to be seen as an essential asset in Socotri youth empowerment. Come meet Ali and let him regale you with interesting stories and fascinating facts of his beloved Socotra.
Co-founder and Director
Ali
Guide and Local Expert
Nizar
AKA "The Godfather"
Ahmed’s nickname derives from the combination of his wise, humble and caring demeanor and the turbo-charged logistical and problem-solving engine hidden within. When you’re with Ahmed, all is under control. Indeed, Ahmed is Discover Socotra’s logistical mastermind and, alongside his team, makes sure that the safety, comfort and fun levels of each trip are maintained to the highest degree possible.
Co-founder and Director
Ali
Co-founder and Head of Operations
Ahmed
AKA "The Life Saver"
Nizar’s calm and endearing way of being is immediate testament to a person known by his peers for his exceptional honesty, initiative and leadership. Nizar comes from a background in social and human rights activism and has a beautiful way of incorporating a culture of helping and care into his guiding. In addition, Nizar has a deep-seated passion for history and culture, and especially that of his home island. He’s the guy that pulls out the most amazing stories around the campfire, or that can recount the most minute details of Socotri historical events. All in all, an exceptional presence to have in any trip situation.
Local Expert Botanist and Tour Leader
Adeeb
Guide and Local Expert
Ali Lahmi
AKA "The Researcher"
Ahmed grew up in a remote hamlet of D'arhu in the rugged Socotri mountains. From his pastoralist childhood, Ahmed always had a knack for academia and against all odds went on to complete a master’s degree in linguistics in Russia, with his thesis focusing on the extensive endemic oral tradition of his home island of Socotra. He is still an active researcher in the field of linguistics, and has co-authored a number of books on the Socotri oral tradition. During the off-season, Ahmed is also a lecturer in the English language at the Socotra Community College. And as if that’s not enough, he has worked in eco-tourism on Socotra for over 15 years.
Guide and Local Expert
Daerhi
Guide and Local Expert
Ali Lahmi
AKA "The Botanist"
Adeeb acts as one of, if not Socotra’s, most renowned botanists, and the Director of the Socotra Botanical Garden outside of Hadibo. Adeeb has worked with the Yemeni Environmental Protection Authority and UNEP for over 3 decades, steadfastly working to protect Socotra’s amazing endemic flora, establishing a variety of nurseries, overseeing in-situ conservation projects, and working against all odds to make sure that the Socotra Botanical Garden continues to prosper and offer a concentrated glimpse of Socotri flora to the curious researcher, traveler, or aficionado. Adeeb’s expertise have taken him to many countries and allowed him to work alongside world-renowned institutions including the Royal Botanical Garden of Edinburgh, Palermo Botanical Garden, Botanical Garden of Rome and RSCN in Amman, to both undergo and contribute to capacity building programs there.
Guide and Local Expert
Daerhi
Local Expert Botanist and Tour Leader
Adeeb
AKA "The Professor"
Ali or as known here in Socotra, "Professor Ali" is one of our true guiding assets at Discover Socotra. He has fluent English with extensive knowledge and experience in guiding, as well as in natural and cultural heritage of Socotra. He is a calm, composed, friendly, and kind person who strives to delight our guests, through taking them to its most breathtaking and beautiful places. as well as sharing with them all the unique depth-details of the Socotri history and its oral tradition including the old Socotri's legend and tales.
Head Field-chef and pillar of the DS family
Abo Hanan
Head Field-chef
Yazen
AKA "The Wise Mountain"
Born and bred on the Skand highlands, in the decades spent exploring every nook and cranny of the central highlands looking for pasture for his livestock, as well as food and medicinal plants for his family, Ahmed developed an unparalleled knowledge of the area. Later in his adulthood, Ahmed began sharing this knowledge with a variety of foreign funded conservation and development projects, as well as curious travelers, aiming to preserve specific natural and cultural heritage. Today, Ahmed helped guide us through the mountains, sharing his extensive experience, knowledge and wisdom.
Mountain Guide and Storyteller
Ahmed Skand
Head Field-chef
Yazen
AKA "Master Chef"
With over 30 years in the culinary arts, many of those spent in the field, Abo Hanan has become a true master of his craft, specializing in the rich and diverse Yemeni cuisine. The list of Abo Hanan’s accolades could go on forever, yet one thing is for certain: Abo Hanan is an immovable pillar of the Discover Socotra family and the protector of its hearth.
Mountain Guide and Storyteller
Ahmed Skand
Head Field-chef and pillar of the DS family
Abo Hanan
AKA "Master Chef"
With over 10 years of culinary experience, most of it spent working in highly reputed Yemeni restaurants across the mainland of Yemen, Yazen has become a true expert in his craft, specializing in the rich and diverse Yemeni cuisine. He and his kitchen crew is a true example of the authentic Yemeni cuisine in Socotra, offering a wide variety of diverse delicious dishes; each meal features a selection of fresh, unique dishes that immerse you into the true Yemeni and Socotri cuisine in your short unforgettable journey.
Driver and Traditional Musician
AL-Mari
Logistics, Musician, Storyteller
Salim
AKA "The Sand Monster"
Driving in soft, dry sand requires enormous skill and experience. One must be able to read the ripples to see where the sand is more compact, and so where a car can safely pass. If this type of driving required a degree than Riyadh has multiple PhDs in it. Thus the nickname. With his innately affable personality and multiple talents (traditional dancing, singing and drum-playing), his driving skills are only a small part of what makes Riyadh so special. Whether it's being in his car, or listening to his music around the campfire, spending time with Riyadh is always a memorable experience.
Driver and Traditional Musician
Riyadh
Logistics, Musician, Storyteller
Salim
AKA "The Engine"
No one knows Socotra's road network, from the smooth to the rugged, across its complex landscapes, quite like Salem. Beyond his exceptional driving skills in all four-wheel-drive vehicles and his profound knowledge of the intricate road network, Salem possesses a perpetually smiling, cheerful, and charismatic personality. He is always quick to offer assistance and prioritizes the safety and comfort of travelers exploring Socotra. He also creates a lively and joyful atmosphere with his own unique blend of folk dances and his unique big smile on his rounded innocent face.
Driver and Traditional Musician
Riyadh
Driver and Traditional Musician
AL-Mari
AKA "The Bedouin"
Salem is a true Socotri Bedouin from the island’s remote interior and is the guy that puts all the pieces together. From organizing campsites, to catering to guest needs, and adding to the positive energy of the trip, Salim has got it covered. But that’s just the beginning. Where Salim’s true colours come out is when the music starts playing. A local musician, avid local poetry expert and pro storyteller, Salim is a one-stop shop for the Socotri oral tradition, in turn making him a must-have around any Socotri campfire.
Driver, logistics, all-around problem solver
Fareed
Logistics and all-around camps set up
Fouad
AKA "The Joker"
Socotra’s road infrastructure can be daunting. With only two paved roads on the island, one needs to have a very good knowledge of the road systems and the vehicles they are driving to be able to reach a destination. That’s where Mohammed shines. Slowly but surely Mohammed can get a heavy SUV over any terrain. But that’s only half of his charm. In addition, Mohammed’s beautiful smile, welcoming sense of humor and passion for music and culture of the world makes him an absolute pleasure to be around and talk to. A trip with Mohammed is a venture into the music of the world. As he becomes one with his car’s sound system, the hours seems to turn into minutes.
Driver, part-time guide, music-lover
Mohammed
Logistics and all-around camps set up
Fouad
AKA "The Unique"
Fareed is another essential part of the Discover Socotra vehicle team. From driving SUV’s over ungodly terrain, improvising bush-ingenuity car fixes at a moment's notice, or helping set up a campsite so that it complements surrounding natural beauty perfectly. Fareed is a key asset in ensuring that the travel experience is filled with adventure, comfort and safety. And to do so, Fareed leverages his disciplined, strong and problem-solving personality to go the necessary distance.
Driver, part-time guide, music-lover
Mohammed
Driver, logistics, all-around problem solver
Fareed
AKA "The Officer"
Fouad is part of our logistics team. He's the one who coordinates and organizes everything, from setting up camps to meeting guests' needs and creating a positive atmosphere for the trip. He possesses a disciplined personality and a remarkable ability to organize and manage the logistical equipment of each trip down to the smallest detail, ensuring our guests' comfort and safety throughout their journey.
Discover Socotra actively organizes and supports a number of community based heritage conservation initiatives by partnering by collaborating with local and international stakeholders to safeguard and promote the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
We Are In collaboration with...
Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
Socotra Wildlife Association
Socotra Coastal Women Association
Socotra Sea Turtle Protection Society
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OUR SOCOTRI HERITAGE PRESERVATION INITIATIVES
Discover Socotra actively organizes and supports a number of community based heritage conservation initiatives by partnering by collaborating with local and international stakeholders to safeguard and promote the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
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Discover Socotra contributed to environmental awareness and education efforts by working alongside schools throughout the archipelago to deliver targeted outreach programs. These initiatives introduce students to basic scientific approaches to identifying and appreciating the exceptional biodiversity of Socotra, highlighting the ecological significance of its endemic species and the delicate balance of its unique ecosystems.
Environmental awareness and education campaign
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As part of its commitment to ecological restoration, Discover Socotra has contributed to a long-term initiative aimed at rehabilitating two of the island’s most threatened habitats: the Homhill frankincense (Boswellia elongata) forest and the Dehamed mangrove forest.
Frankincense and mangrove forest restoration project
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Discover Socotra supported environmental awareness drawing competitions at Alzahra Girls High School and the Socotra Institute for English Language and Computer Skills, using art as an engaging medium to inspire dialogue on pressing ecological issues.
Environmental awareness drawing competitions
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Discover Socotra has actively contributed to an island-wide campaign targeting the eradication of invasive plant species that threaten the island’s fragile biodiversity and ecological balance. Working alongside local communities, conservation organizations, and environmental authorities, the initiative focused on identifying, removing, and managing invasive species that outcompete native flora and disrupt critical habitats.
Invasive and alien species eradication campaign
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Discover Socotra organized and hosted an island-wide plastic and trash collection campaign, mobilizing communities across Socotra to address the growing problem of waste pollution. The coordinated effort brought together local residents and relevant organizations in a series of clean-up events targeting particularly sensitive coastal and inland habitats.
Plastic and waste collection campaigns
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Discover Socotra collaborated with partner organizations and the local Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to deliver comprehensive training programs for protected area rangers, eco-tourism guides, and tour operators, with a focus on promoting responsible and sustainable tourism practices.
Protected area ranger and eco-tourism training courses
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Discover Socotra contributed to vital biodiversity monitoring efforts by supporting censuses of the island’s birds of prey populations and wetland ecosystems, working alongside host communities to gather essential data on species distribution, population health, and habitat conditions.
Bird of prey and wetland biodiversity censuses & events
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Discover Socotra has actively contributed to women empowerment efforts by working alongside with the pilot women associations throughout the archipelago including The Socotra Women Union, Socotra Coastal Women Associations for Handicrafts and Natural Products, Qalasniyah Women Association, and Homhil Women Committee to ensure Socotri women are strongly empowered.
Women Empowerment
