Yemen & Socotra
Arabian Waxbill, Arabian Bustard, South Arabian Wheatear

The Jemen is an interesting and still undiscovered land. Those who have visited this country know that is has everything to offer – stunning landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture and exceptional hospitality. Yemen also has a rich diversity of wildlife. Over 400 species of birds have been recorded and new species are being added almost annually. There are three factors for this impressive diversity: Yemen is at the intersection of three biogeographical regions - Africa, Asia, and the Western Paleartic. In other words, southwestern Arabia has birds that are typical of three continents – Africa, Asia, and Europe. Diverse environments with thousands of kilometers of coastline, scores of islands and mountainous terrains soaring as high as 3666 meters host a spectacular variety of birds. Most of the Arabian endemics can be seen regularly during our tour: Arabian and Philby’s Partridges, Arabian Woodpecker, Yemen Accentor, Arabian Wheatear, Yemen Thrush, Yemen Warbler, Arabian and Yemen Serins, Yemen Linnet and Arabian Waxbill, and not forgetting the near-endemic Dunn’s Lark, Red-breasted Wheatear and Golden-winged Grosbeak. On Socotra Island we can expect to see all the endemics: Socotra Bunting, Socotra Cisticola, Socotra Sparrow, Socotra Starling, Socotra Sunbird and Socotra Warbler as well as Forbes-Watson’s Swift and Somali Starling. Supporting ecological tourism we will overnight in “Funduks” as well as hotels.

click here to download tour-programme

Dates

1. Mon., 16. Mar. 2009 - Tue., 31. Mar. 2009
2. Fri., 25. Dec. 2009 - Fri., 08. Jan. 2010

Price includes

• Flights London Heathrow - Sana’a
• Inland flight Sana’a - Socotra - Aden
• Airport Taxes and fuel surcharge
• Airport transfers
• All transport during trip
• Transfers and other transports
• Accommodation in en suite double / single room in hotels or Funduks
• On Socotra private bathrooms and bathrooms shared between two rooms
• Full board
• Bottled water during the tour
• Birding guide
• Breach of warranty certificate

Number of participants

8 to 12 persons

Note

Visa is required and is not included in tour price

Alterations

The programme is subject to change.

Day 1

Arrival

Arrival in Sana’a (2400 meters). Transfer to hotel Overnight in “Funduk” Arabia Felix in the Old City of Sana’s Funduqs are traditional accommodations which have been transformed into a lodge or hotel).

Day 2

Sana’a, Hamman Garif, Wadi Dhahr

Full day’s excursion to a stream at Hammam Garif about 70 kilometers south of Sana’s where our target birds here are the Arabian Waxbill, Shining Sunbird, Black Bush Robin, Arabian Babbler and others. The Golden-winged Grosbeak has been seen twice in this region. The streams at an altitude of about 1200 meters make an interesting habitat. After a picnic lunch we will make our way back to Sana’a at about 16:00. Dinner in a traditional fish restaurant. Overnight in “Funduk”.

Day 3

Shibam, Kawkaban, Al Ahjur

We will leave at 5:00 a.m. and drive to Kawkaban to look for Philby’s Partridge at an altitude of about 2800 meters. The drive takes about one hour and we have to aim to be there before the farmers start working which drives the birds away. You can often see Philby’s and Arabian Partridge in the same field. Afterwards we will scout for the Red-cupped Lark. We will drive to the bottom of the mountain for a quick Yemeni breakfast and then look for other endemics – Arabian Serin, Yemen Serin, Yemen Lenit, South Arabian Wheatear. At a woodland in Al Ahjur we will see the Arabian Woodpecker. We will return to Sana’a at about 4:30 p.m. Warm clothes are recommended for this trip. Dinner and overnight in “Funduk”.

Day 4

Sana’a, Socotra

At 3:00 a.m. transfer to Sana’a airport for flight to Socotra with Yemen Airways. The flight leaves at 5:00 a.m. arriving at 7:45 a.m. Transfer to Hadibou for breakfast and check in at hotel. In the afternoon drive to the Ayhaft woodlands to see Socotra Warbler, Socotra Golden Grosbeak and Socotra Buzzard.

Day 5

Dixum

Today we will drive to the Dixum highlands to see a forest of Dragon’s Blood trees as well as the famous incense trees. Socotra was one of the sources for incense during the incense trade in former times. In Dixum there are some endemic birds of Socotra such as the Socotra Bunting, Socotra Sisticolla, as well as the Socotra Warbler. Overnight in Hadibou.

Day 6

Galancia

Today we will drive to the west along the northern coast to Galancia. An excursion by boat to the extreme west of the island to Shou’ab, which is inaccessible by vehicle, to see the white beach, mangrove, dolphins and birds. Target birds – Socotra Cormorant, Brown Booby and Persian Shearwater. Lunch in Galacia. Dinner and overnight in Hadibou.

Day 7

Hadibou

Morning free for swimming and leisure at the shore near Hadibou. At 11:00 a.m.transfer to airport for the 1:00 p.m. flight to Aden via Riyan arriving at 15:45 p.m. Drive to the Marsh of Aden - White-tailed Plovers and African Stragglers. Overnight in Hotel at Aden with New Year’s Eve dinner.

Day 8

Taiz

Today we will drive north to Taiz at an altitutde of about 1500 meters. The climate here is more comfortable after the warmth of Aden. Check in at hotel for refreshments and then drive to Wadi Dhabab to see some migrating birds such as the Bruce’s Green Pigeon, Zebra & Arabian Waxbills in the same field. Dinner and overnight at Taiz.

Days 9

Jabal Saber, Ibb, Taiz

Today we will drive up to the top of Jebel Saber at about 3000 meters. Here you can enjoy the cool climate in the habitat of the Yemen Accentor, Yemen Thrush and the Yemen Warbler. Afterwards we will drive north for about two hours to the Wadi Anna in Al Udian via Ibb. Here you will find a different habitat with large trees where you can see the Arabian Woodpecker and en route we will scout for Golden-winged Grosbeak. Picnic lunch in the Wadi. Mid-afternoon drive back to Taiz. Dinner and overnight in Taiz.

Day 10

Al Khawkah, Al Hodiedah

Drive west to the Tihama Plain and the Red Sea via Moka, the destroyed port, which exported the famous Moka Coffee three centuries ago. Continue north as far as the small fishing port Al Khowkha. We will have lunch in a hotel in Al Khawkha and bird for about half an hour in the wetlands to see the Pink-backed Pelican, Western Reef Heron and many others. Drive on further to Al Hodeidah stopping at the Fish Market to see the White-eyed Gull. Dinner and overnight in Al Hodiedah.

Day 11

Al Hodeidah Wetlands and Al Urj Wetlands, Al Hodeidah Sewage Ponds

Morning drive to the Al Hodeidah wetlands at the Red Sea coast and then further north to Al Urj to look for sea birds En route you will be able to see Sand Grouse, Black-crowned Finch Lark, Hoopoe Lark and many more. Picnic lunch in Al Urj. In the afternoon drive to Al-Hodeidah Sewage Plant for fresh water birds. Overnight in Al-Hodeidah.

Day 12

Al Kadan, Bajil, Bura’a National Park, Al Hodeidah

Whole day trip to the north and south of the Tihama Plain to look for Golden-winged Sparrow, Abysynian Roller, Nile Valley Sunbird. This plain is the habitat of the Arabian Bustard but they are extremely rare. On to Bajil for lunch in a traditional restaurant. In the afternoon continue on to Bura’s National Park via Wadi Siham where you can see the Nile Valley Sunbird, White-browed Coucal. In the National Park of Bura’a you can see the Baboons and other local wild animals. Drive back to Al Hodiedah for dinner and overnight in hotel.

Day 13

Wadi Surdood, Manakha

Today we will drive eastwards to the Haraz Mountains (2200 meters), the first massif after leaving the Red Sea plain. En route we will stop at the Bajil dump to see some migrating eagles and Steppe Eagle and three species of storks. Carry on further eastwards to a fresh water stream which flows all the year round. Here we will be able to see some fresh water birds such as the Hammerkop. When we arrive at Khamis Bani Saad we will make a detour of a few kilometerss to explore the Wadi Surdood. Return to Khamis Bani Saad and continue eastwards to Manakha on the main road from Al Hodiedah to Saba’s. Dinner followed by a folkdance in Funduk At Hajjarah.

Day 14

Manakha, Sana’a

Early morning birding excursion to the woodlands at Wadi Shareef where we will probably see the Verox Eagle. At 10:00 a.m. 2,5 hour drive back to Sana’a. Free time in the afternoon for a walking tour of the Old City of Sana’a. Farewell dinner and overnight at Funduk Arabia Felix.

Day 15

Departure

At 3:00 a.m. transfer to Sana’a airport for return flight.