Keep Grylls Explorers Camp over night cabin review in Ras Al Khaimah - Hotel Insider

The world’s first Carry Grylls Explorers Camp opened its entry doors in Ras Al Khaimah in October, equipping would-be adventurers with all the current survival tips and skills they have to make it in the wilderness.

The experience has now expanded to allow intrepid travellers the chance to turn their adventure into an overnight one, with the opening of nine mountain cabins.

The National was one of the primary to check-in to one of the cabins at the Keep Grylls Explorers Camp.

After 20 minutes of winding upwards over the narrow roads on the peak of Jebel Jais, the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp appears almost from nowhere. Nestled in a set wadi surrounded by the towering giants of the UAE’s tallest mountain range, we arrive as the sun is establishing, shrouding the camp in the evening’s golden shine. A firepit sits at the heart of the camp, lit ready for our appearance.

We arrive three times before the official starting of the first Carry Grylls-branded accommodation, and we've the destination to ourselves. Leon, the camp director, offers us our selection of cabin, and talks about the site guidelines: Usually do not litter, do not leave food outside - oh, and don’t feed the goats.

The complete premise of the Keep Grylls Explorers Camp is approximately switching off and reconnecting with nature, so, naturally, you can find little nearby. As the daylight fades, the previous of the visitors on Jebel Jais wind their in the past down the mountain journey, departing us to soak in the stillness of the camp and its own encompassing area, save for the casual bleat in one of these goats.

From camp, it’s in regards to a 20-minute drive to the summit of Jebel Jais, where you’ll find attractions including the world’s longest zip line, the UAE’s highest restaurant and numerous viewing websites.

Personnel at the camp sport Carry Grylls-branded face masks and our cabin has a sticker on the entranceway, assuring us the area has been sanitised. The back-to-basics dynamics of the place means that friends bring a lot of their equipment with them, which, through the pandemic, brings an extra covering of reassurance.

The camp itself is nicely spaced out, so social distancing shouldn't be an issue, even though cabins are full. Each has its own outdoor area and picnic stand, so the range of communal touchpoints is kept to a minimum. Make sure to bring enough hands wash and sanitiser for your stay, though, as they are not provided.

We're not planning on a five-star stay from a Bear Grylls-branded camp given the experience is focused on survival, so we brace ourselves even as enter our upcycled shipping and delivery pot cabin. However, we could pleasantly surprised.

Obviously, it is basic. The shown wood wall space give it a rustic feel, and there is little in the way of decor. However, they have what it needs: a dual foundation with a ladder leading to a single bunk above, as well as a fridge, kettle, air-conditioning and adequate storage. You will discover three small glass windows, each supplying a sliver of the picture-perfect mountain view. The bathroom is a pleasant delight; white tiles, a robust shower and flushing bathroom - not at all the full character survival experience I have been envisaging.

The beds, however, definitely offer up more of a camping vibe. The slender mattress is hard, so be prepared, though it is not uncomfortable enough to keep me awake. The fluffy pillows offer our heads some five-star comfort, as they might not feel out of place at a hotel.

The staff tend to be more than accommodating, offering to help us with the fire or even to light the barbecue, and, whenever we require torches for a few extra light, provide us with some useful head torches, which will make our evening card games much easier.

Virtually all staff on site are trained by the Keep Grylls Survival Academy, save for the security guards and housekeeping, so if there's whatever you need to find out about the outside or the encompassing Jebel Jais area, they’ve acquired you covered.

The camp is home to nine converted shipping containers, each offering its private picnic area and barbecue. They are really well disseminate and the set-up does not feel intrusive. It is also family and dog-friendly.

A communal firepit at the heart of the camp is available to everyone, but, because of Covid-19 limitations, can currently only be utilized by nine guests at any one time. Each cabin includes lightweight camp chairs, which is often setup for an nighttime round the campfire.

There is a small shop at reception selling appetizers, hot drinks and charcoal, should you need them throughout your stay. There's also mountain bikes available for rent, if you would like to explore the site on two wheels.

Guests won't need to take part in one of the Carry Grylls Survival Courses to be able to remain at the camp, but it is set up in the expectations that those checking in will need in the entire experience during their stay. The expert-led courses have half-day options, lasting 3 to 4 time, as well as eight, 24 and 48-hour options. They provide basic survival skills, such as how to build fires, connect knots and blade skills, as well as extreme survival techniques essential to tackle some of the toughest landscape in the wilderness. Friends can also choose to be a part of a led hike, which may be tailored to any capability level.

The camp is self-catered, so guests need to bring their own food to barbecue, although you can buy coal, some food and firelighters on site. Barbecue utensils are given and which fridge in the room for storing food and drinks. Don’t your investment basics like tea, coffee then one for breakfast.

Oh, and it wouldn’t be considered a camp trip without marshmallows to toast, so be certain to load up those. We washed ours down with a hot chocolate purchased from the camp’s shop.

The setting, the firepit and the camp’s back yard cause you to feel a million miles away from the busyness of the town. The camp is significantly less than two time from Dubai, but it feels as though a real get away.

The bed is just a little uncomfortable, so prepare yourself. If you're particularly sensitive, you may wish to load up a foam mat.

Be sure you check the web site carefully for what's and isn’t provided. This is a survival experience, so you really do only have the bare bones in the area. You won’t find things such as towels, side soap, toothpaste, bathtub gel or teas and coffees waiting for you in your cabin, so make sure you have everything you will need before you tripped. Also, definitely think about adding a task to your stay for the real Keep Grylls experience.

If you're looking for an out-of-the city break free without the most common UAE staycation frills, in conjunction with the opportunity to take in a few of the country’s most breathtaking landscape and find out a few new skills on the way, the Bear Grylls Explorers Camp must be on your agenda.

Bookings are open up from Wednesday, March 3, with rates from Dh450 per night time, per cabin on weekdays (camp is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays), and Dh650 on weekends. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at 11am.

Two dogs are also permitted per cabin, at an extra cost of Dh50 per dog. Pets must be continued leads all the time in the camp.