Rhapsody Shore & Land Excursions > Yemen - Hodeida > Jabal Bura Tropical Forest(4X4 Jeep)

Jabal Bura Tropical Forest(4X4 Jeep)

Capital of the Tihama region of Yemen, Hodeida has been called “The Bride of the Red Sea”. Built originally by immigrant fisherman, Hodeida later became known for the exports of Yemeni coffee and pearls.

In the 1960’s the port facilities were developed and improved and the region witnessed a boom being the only commercial port in Northern Yemen. Today it is the third largest city in Yemen after the capital Sana'a and the commercial capital Aden.

Hodeida is situated on the western coast, north of the Bab-al-Mandab strait that separates Asia and Africa or more specifically Yemen from Djibouti and lies on the southern Red Sea.

Hodeida was also a Soviet naval base in the ’70s and ’80s. In 1961 the road that still connects Hodeida to Sana’a was built by a Soviet company. This important communication route winds its way through the mountains for over 200 kms offering some spectacular views.

The excursion will show you one of the most unusual Tropical Forests in the World: Jabal (Mount) Bura Tropical Forest, a protected natural reserve. Depart from Hodeida port in 4x4 Jeeps bound for Jabal Bura through the Tihama region on a drive that will reveal the diversity of beauty of the Coastal Yemeni Region.

Jabal Bura is a granite massif east of Bajil with forests covering an area of approximately 4,100 hectares situated in a mountainous valley near the Tihama plain along the west coast of the Red Sea.

It is a nature reserve with numerous plant species and over 22 types of vegetation representing 58 families and 124 species some of which are endemic.

An ideal habitat for the hamadryas baboons you will see all around. Jabal Bura has a unique combination of environmental conditions favoring a rich ecosystem with great biodiversity due to its high rainfall and human management factors that have so far avoided massive destruction as in the rest of the region.

Enjoy a scenic drive around Jabal Bura and a short trek in the forest. The mountaintops and valleys are dotted with hundreds of villages with fine architecture.

A lunchbox prepared by the ship will be available for your convenience. Back in Hodeida a panoramic drive of the town will take place before returning to the ship.

 

Special Notes:
Not wheelchair accessible nor for persons with limited walking.

Comfortable non slippery walking shoes and casual clothing recommended.

Tour involves 1 hour walking around the tropical forest (medium difficulty trekking level) and participants must be in good physical health.

No toilets available.

Four passengers per jeep with the guide riding in the first jeep.

Commentary is made at each stop en route.

Lunch box from the ship.

 

Tour Timings:

Tours begin at times suitable for the ship's arrival in port. The breakdown of the excursions is as follows:

00hr00 -> Excursion departs from Hodeida Port

00hr00 -> 02hr00 Drive to Jabal Bura
02hr00 -> 03hr00 Trekking in the Nature Reserve
03hr00 -> 04hr30 Sightseeing drive with stops for lunchbox consumption
04hr30 -> 07hr00 Drive to the port via Hodeida city

 

 

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