The trees
Green umbrellas.
Valerian Guillot — CC BY 2.0 · Hardscarf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hardscarf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hardscarf — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Hardscarf — CC BY-SA 4.0
Homhil Plateau is a protected area on a rocky plateau in the north-east of Socotra island, looking over the Arabian Sea. It is one of the island's best-known places, bringing together dragon's blood trees, bottle trees and frankincense trees, all plants of Socotra found nowhere else. The plateau is part of the Socotra archipelago, on UNESCO's World Heritage List since 2008 for its unique wildlife and plants. Local people run a simple campsite here and walk with visitors among the trees and small valleys. You walk over red and orange rock among dragon's blood trees with broad crowns like umbrellas, and bottle trees with swollen trunks and pink flowers in winter. At the edge of the plateau is a green natural pool on the lip of the rock, whose water seems to run into the sea far below, and visitors swim in it on hot days. Hadibo is about 32 km away in a straight line, and Hoq Cave about 5 km. Carry plenty of water and leave no rubbish behind. Check the state of flights to the island before booking. The UK Foreign Office currently advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen and tells anyone there to leave, so check official guidance before making any plans.
Green umbrellas.
On the rock's edge.
Run by local people.
North-east of Socotra island, Yemen
Yes, at a simple campsite run by local people.
Yes, visitors usually do, so bring suitable clothes.