Holly Hunt
At three years old on the West Coast of Ireland Holly decided she wanted to live with lions in Africa.
By 27 she had held addresses on the foothills... Read More
Yemen Travel Guide
Aden
Aden is an important port in the south of the country and, until Yemen's unification in 1990, it was capital of the republic. Its natural, ancient harbour lies in the crater of a long extinct volcano and the town has several sub-centres around the bay. Long coveted because of its position on the sea route from Europe to India, it was ceded to Britain in 1839 and the British East India Company stationed troops here to prevent attacks against shipping. It was ruled as part of British India until 1937 when it became a colony in its own right. After the loss of Suez in 1956 it was Britain's main base in the area until independence was granted in 1967.
Seiyum
Seiyum is the area's main town and has long been the 'de facto' capital for the nearby Wadi Hadramaut clans. Seiyun is the largest town in the Wadi Hadramaut, a 380km wadi which is the biggest in the Arabian Peninsula and runs for 180km through a stony desert along a valley. This area has been settled since at least the 3rd century AD and brilliant green fields run alongside the wadi. The area is also known for mud-brick architecture and palaces. Seiyum itself is an attractive city surrounded by palm groves, irrigated fields and shimmering red near-vertical rock cliffs soar on both sides.
Hodeidah
Al-Hodeidah is a port town on the Red Sea coast that expanded from a small fishing village during the 15th century into the home of the military fleet. Today it is famous for its fish market where all kinds of fish are sold fresh off the boats and it is Yemen's second largest port after Aden.
Mukalla
Although dating back to the 8th century, it was not until the 17th century that Mukalla became a major port town due to its strategic position. In the late 19th century it became the capital of the Qu'aiti Sultinate which was to become part of the Aden protectorate under the British. A main trading post between India and Africa, it still is today one of Yemen's most rapidly growing cities. Its economy is based upon the fishing industry, and there is a main fish-meal factory. Fish, tobacco and other products are exported and boat building is also an important part of city's economy.
Sana'a
Often referred to as the world's oldest city, Sana'a has been Yemen's capital since the country unified in 1990. Legend has it that Noah's son Shem founded the city, shifting its exact location after a passing bird moved his original marking ropes further east. It lies on a plateau at 2,200m and there are several large mountains in the near vicinity. Since the 1960s the city has experienced a period of rapid growth and today is one of the fastest-growing capitals in the world.
Marib
Marib is one of the most famous places in Yemen as a result of having supposedly been the ancient city of Bilquis, capital of the Queen of Sheba. Whatever the actual veracity of this, there is no doubt that it has been inhabited pretty much since the dawn of man and grown to be a wealthy city due to its strategic position that allowed it to control the lucrative Incense Route.
Ta'izz
The medieval capital of Yemen under the Rasulid Dynasty, Ta'izz is now the third largest city in Yemen and one of the country's most cosmopolitan places, mainly due to the large student population. From the 13th through to the 15th century, the city enjoyed a golden period under rulers who encouraged the development of literature, architecture and medicine.
Socotra
The island of Socotra is an unspoilt gem often cited as the “Galapagos of the Indian Ocean”. With its abundance of unique and sometimes rather bizarre flora & fauna, this island is an absolute must for those wanting to see nature in its pristine state. From its deserted beaches and its frankincense & myrrh trees to its wild mountains and superb snorkelling opportunities, this land will not disappoint.
Manakha
Manakha is an ancient Yemeni fortified stronghold in the Jebel Harraz Region. Traditionally home to the Ismailis who built their defensive towns in the high mountains, Manakha is the principal town in the area. The town has steep, narrow streets, stone forts and fortified stone houses – a result of its strategic position from the times of the Ottoman occupation, as it served as a base for protecting supply lines between Sana’a and Hodeidah. The area is known for its fortified villages and beautiful scenery of terraced hillsides planted with coffee, millet and qat.
Yemen Travel Information
Visa Information
UK Passport holders require a visa to enter Yemen.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required. Please ensure the passport details we hold for you are correct.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
Your will require a letter of invitation which WF will supply, once received your visa can either be bought in person at the embassy or through a visa company such as;
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road Battersea
London
SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are travelling on a non-UK passport, please contact your nearest consulate/embassy for up to date visa information.
Insurance:
Insurance that provides cover for emergency repatriation in case of a medical emergency is compulsory for all tours.
You should be aware that many standard insurance policies may not cover you adequately for all aspects of a Wild Frontiers trip and so we strongly recommend that you purchase a suitably designed insurance policy.
One such policy is the "Wild Frontiers" policy underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE " firm reference 202803), which is available to EU residents (which excludes Norway & Switzerland) through our website or via the insurance company direct on 0845 345 3456. Under this policy there are two different levels of cover available.
Standard policy: a comprehensive travel insurance policy that provides cover for all Wild Frontiers activities, including trekking up to 6,000m. This policy does not provide cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel.
Elite policy: provides the same comprehensive level of cover as the standard policy. In addition the Elite policy also provides cover for travel to areas where the FCO is advising against all or all but essential travel. The policy will not provide cover for any claims arising from or relating to the reasons why the FCO is advising against travel.
If purchasing the Elite policy you also have the option to extend the cover provided by the policy to include cover for claims arising from a terrorist act in an area where the FCO is advising against travel. You can add this cover to your policy when purchasing online or over the telephone.
These policies are only available to those travelling on a Wild Frontiers holiday.
For more information and to purchase your policy online please visit the Insurance section of our website.
The cover is underwritten by Ace European Group Limited (ACE), and is arranged by Travel & General Insurance Service Limited. Both companies are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
There are no mandatory immunisations for travellers to Yemen, though you should be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A. Malaria is present in some parts of Yemen so we recommend you seek advice from your local GP or travel centre as to the correct immunisations and preventative treatments.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
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Stanley Moffat
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