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 organisations 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.

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.

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.

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.

Adeeb comes from a lineage of Socotri botanists and continues to carry on the torch. Indeed, he now 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.

Locals generally accept that only very few know the central Socotri highlands like Ahmed Skand. Indeed, though Skand is not his real surname and is actually Socotra’s misty-mystical highest peak, everyone calls him that because of the experience and wisdom Ahmed exudes. Born and bred on the enchanting Firmhin plateau, from an early age Ahmed began practicing transhumance, bringing his livestock up to the more verdant pastures of the high mountains in tune with the changing seasons. 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 we are lucky to have Ahmed help guide us through the mountains, sharing his extensive experience, knowledge and wisdom. Also, if you have the chance ask if you can visit his enchanting home food forest with native bananas, guava, and much more.  

Where to get started with Abo Hanan? Maybe it’s his incessant smile and positive energy? Maybe it’s his superhuman ability of cooking a delicious meal on a fire under a tree on the top of a jagged mountain peak in the rain, or on a skiff bouncing on the waves? Or maybe it’s the fact that despite being in his 60s (maybe more, no one knows for sure) he will run up a near-vertical mountain... in flip flops. 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 it’s hearth.

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 its being in his car, or listening to his music around the campfire, spending time with Riyadh is always a memorable experience.

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.

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.

It is generally accepted that being a chef is stressful work. Now picture cooking for dozens of people that are tired after a long walk, and consequently very hungry and thirsty. Now picture, having to fetch dozes of liters of water from a mountain creek, boil it on portable cookware so as to make it potable, make sure it’s cool before the trekkers arrive, while consecutively cooking them a meal. Now picture doing that whilst never once complaining and always maintaining positive outlook and team-player attitude. That’s our beloved Sulaiman for you. The humble smile behind the most sumptuous of meals and the nutrition to keep trek going.

BaJaber is a great representation of Socotra’s amazing newer generations. Though still young, BaJaber has garnered media attention both in Socotra and abroad because of his largely self-taught passion and talent for photography and video-making. By way of multiple courses and endless hours of practice, BaJaber has taken it as his mission to help document the more seldom seen parts of his island’s heritage. Indeed, BaJaber’s hopes are to continue to become one of the Middle East’s most prominent educational content creators. BaJaber’s curious, quick to learn and affable personality make him a valued part of the Discover Socotra family.

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 moments 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.