2004
The Beginning
Yahya Banafrar begins working as a tour guide on Socotra, sharing his knowledge of the island with visiting travellers.
AboutTour Socotra
Our story
Born on the island and shaped by the people who know it best. Discover the story behind Tour Socotra and the local team sharing their home with travellers from around the world.
Tour Socotra is more than a travel company. It is a team of people who grew up on this island, know its landscapes and communities, and believe that the best way to experience Socotra is with those who call it home.
From the first conversation to the final day of your journey, local knowledge shapes the experience. Our guides, drivers and chefs bring their understanding of the island into every part of the trip.
Every journey is shaped by the island itself. The seasons, the landscapes and the people we meet along the way all influence the experience. Rather than following one fixed itinerary, Tour Socotra adapts its journeys to offer a more personal way of discovering the island.
We believe the most memorable moments cannot always be scheduled. They happen on the road, around a shared meal, beneath the stars, or in the company of someone who knows the island by heart.
Our approach
We create memories, not tours.
OurHistory
2011
Tour Socotra Is Founded
Yahya co-founds Tour Socotra with his uncle Ahmed, building on years of experience guiding visitors across the island.
2015
Returning Home
After studying Hospitality Management at the University of Sunderland, Yahya returns to Socotra to apply what he has learned and contribute to the island’s tourism industry.
2023
A Growing Team
A small international team joins to support bookings, sales and marketing, alongside the local team operating on Socotra.
Today
Simply Different
Tour Socotra continues to introduce international travellers to the island through locally guided, small-group and private adventures.
Your journeystarts here
Discover Socotra with the people who know it best. Choose your experience and let us help you plan your journey.
Plan Your JourneyOur Team
The people behind the journey
Our guides, drivers and chefs are from Socotra. They know its roads, landscapes, traditions and changing seasons because this island is their home.
- Final photography pendingTour Socotra team
Final photography pendingTour Socotra team