They talk about their lives on the island of Socotra, in a language whose origins are lost in time—unchanged for centuries and understood today by fewer people than live in Ames, Iowa.

But Socotra is accessible, and more people are venturing outside their comfort zone to explore this remarkable island and its wealth of rare flora and fauna. So, how adventurous are you?

Socotra, the main island in an archipelago at the mouth of the Gulf of Aden, is famed for its flora and fauna. Southern Transitional Council separatists announced on Saturday they had deposed its ...