Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

World’s first Bear Grylls Explorers Camp opens in United Arab Emirates

World’s first Bear Grylls Explorers Camp opens in United Arab Emirates
October 26, 2020

RAK Leisure has announced that the world’s first Bear Grylls Explorers Camp has opened in the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.

The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp (BGEC) is set in an expansive and open environment close to the via ferrata on the UAE’s highest mountain, Jebel Jais and follows the success of the Bear Grylls Survival Academy in the UK.

BGEC will also feature the world’s first Bear Grylls-branded camp accommodation, which features 20 recycled and redesigned shipping containers, set to be complete by 2021.

The practical and extreme survival courses on offer at BGEC will be run by experts trained at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy.

Introducing the concept, RAK Hospitality Holding Chief Executive, Alison Grinnell advised “within a larger global context, the launch of BGEC represents both innovation and resilience during what has been a very challenging year for the travel and tourism industry

“Under the expert guidance of our RAK Leisure division, BGEC will further enhance the growing adventure offer on Jebel Jais and raise the profile of Ras Al Khaimah on the world stage.”

Activities will include how to make a fire in the wilderness and build emergency shelters. Visitors will also learn navigation techniques, how to use a knife and how to survive in extreme weather.

The accommodation containers are designed to host up to three guests with basic self-catering, including a private BBQ on a private outdoor terrace.

Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Chief Executive, Raki Philips added “in 2018, we launched the world’s longest zipline on Jebel Jais and are delighted to announce another first with the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp on the UAE’s highest mountain.”

He described BGEC as an “exhilarating survival experience from one of the world’s best-known experts” that will “attract outdoor enthusiasts from across the globe”.

Earlier this year, Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA) launched the Jais Adventure Peak, a group of adventure attractions on Jebel Jais.

RAK Leisure, formerly known as RAK Hospitality Group, was founded in 2011 by RAK Tourism Development Authority and was transferred in 2014 under RAK Hospitality Holding LLC as its subsidiary.

Today, RAK Leisure's commercial activities are solely focused on entertainment, recreation and tourism operations and hospitality services. RAK Leisure aims to enhancing the lifestyles of Ras Al Khaimah’s residents and visitors by supporting the development of leisure venues that further strengthen the appeal of ‘Destination Ras Al Khaimah’.

Click here for more information.

Images (from top): Bear Grylls, activities at the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp and the Bear Grylls-branded camp accommodation - which uses redesigned shipping containers.

Related Articles

22nd October 2020 - Visitors at zoo in Shanghai see worker killed by bear

4th September 2020 - WTTC launches Safe Travels protocols for adventure tourism

19th August 2020 - ISO advises of update to adventure tourism standards

6th April 2020 - Extended closure announced for UAE theme parks

2nd January 2020 - Ras Al Khaimah’s New Year’s Eve Gala secures two Guinness World Records

13th February 2020 - New attractions launched at UAE’s Jais Adventure Peak

27th September 2019 - Adventure Travel Trade Association offers ‘Neutral Together’ bulk carbon offset purchase to members

26th July 2019 - US$41 million expansion underway at UAE’s Al Ain Zoo

4th March 2019 - International adventure tourism experts to converge on Queenstown

9th September 2018 - UAE’s Ice Land Water Park permanently closed

13th May 2018 - Adventure Travel Trade Association shares report on trends in adventure tourism

30th January 2018 - UAE to host Asia Pacific’s leading adventure tourism trade event

29th December 2017 - Troon International to manage Ras Al Khaimah golf course

8th November 2017 - New research shows adventure travellers’ relationship with risk

1st September 2017 - World’s longest zip line to reach speeds of 100 kilometres per hour

16th November 2016 - New adventure tours to explore rugged Ras Al Khaimah mountain range

11th April 2016 - IAAPA charts development of UAE attractions

13th July 2015 - Bear Grylls Adventure to launch at Glenworth Valley

23rd June 2015 - UAE leisure sector to attract 45 million visitors by 2021

30th November 2014 - UN report shows growing value of global adventure tourism

6th April 2013 - UAE tourism worth US$52 billion in 2012

15th March 2012 - Al Ain opens surf pool in the desert