Bear Grylls Explorer Camp Opens in the UAE
The world’s first Bear Grylls Explorer Camp (BGEC) will open this month in the United Arab Emirates, featuring exhilarating survival courses catering to small groups of all ages.
Have you ever found yourself on a camping trip wishing you knew how to build a fire from scratch? Or have you ever wondered how you’d survive if you got lost in the wilderness? This new camp provides the perfect opportunity to learn essential skills. Following the success of the Bear Grylls Survival Academy in the United Kingdom, survivalist and TV host Bear Grylls is establishing a camp in the UAE where individuals can enjoy adrenaline-packed activities and practical instruction on survival skills.
Location and Offerings
Situated on Jebel Jais in Ras Al Khaimah, the camp will be tailored for small groups. Survival courses will be led by UK experts trained at the Bear Grylls Survival Academy. While Bear Grylls himself may not be present, participants will benefit from high-quality instruction. Surprises will be integral to the courses, but guests can anticipate learning both basic and extreme survival skills, including fire-building techniques and how to construct emergency shelters in the wild.
Participants will also receive practical training in remote medical trauma treatment, navigation techniques, and extreme weather survival. These skills can be applied on backcountry camping trips or wilderness hikes. The camp offers a variety of course lengths, including a half-day (three-to-four hours), as well as options for eight and 24-hour experiences suitable for both adults and families.
Accommodation and Future Plans
Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates, is renowned for its beautiful gulf beaches, lush mangrove forests, hot springs, and diverse desert terrain. Following this month’s survival courses, unique camp accommodations will be available in 2021, featuring 20 recycled and redesigned shipping containers.
Each container will accommodate about three guests and will include basic self-catering facilities, such as a private BBQ on an outdoor terrace for meal preparation. Once the accommodations are operational, participants will have the chance to engage in extended, 48-hour survival courses.
Commitment to Safety
Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development, stated, “In 2018, we launched the world’s longest zipline on Jebel Jais and are now thrilled to announce another first with the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp on the UAE’s highest mountain. As Ras Al Khaimah continues to position itself as the adventure capital of the Middle East, this exhilarating survival experience from one of the world’s best-known experts will attract outdoor enthusiasts worldwide.”
Survival Academy courses are set to commence on October 16, with accommodations expected to be available in 2021. The camp will adhere to social distancing guidelines in line with UAE public health protocols. Prices for packages start from AED450 (£95.18 / US$122 / €104) per person for the half-day survival experience, providing exceptional value for an adventure-packed outing.
