Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis Opens in Al Baha, Marking Mantis Collection's Saudi Arabia Debut

Manal Saleh

Saudi Arabia's new high-altitude retreat opens on Khairah Mountain, offering a gateway to Al Baha through curated adventure, cultural immersion, and nature-led hospitality

Al BAHA, 7 September 2026:  Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis has officially opened in the southwestern highlands of Al Baha, marking the Saudi Arabian debut of Mantis Collection, Accor's community and conservation-focused hospitality brand. Set approximately 2,260 meters above sea level on Khairah Mountain, the resort introduces a new high-altitude escape shaped by Al Baha's mountain landscapes, cultural heritage and spirit of adventure.

The name Gamra, meaning the light of the full moon illuminating the night sky in Arabic, reflects the resort's philosophy: a place of orientation, clarity and quiet confidence at elevation. Conceived as an introduction to Al Baha rather than a destination removed from it, Gamra invites guests to engage more deeply with the landscape, people and traditions of one of Saudi Arabia's most distinctive regions.

Developed by ASFAR, the Saudi tourism investment company and a PIF company, and operated by Mantis, Gamra is part of ASFAR's broader efforts to support the development of Al Baha as a multifaceted tourism destination centered on its natural, cultural, and agricultural character.

Known as the Garden of the Hijaz, Al Baha offers a striking contrast to many of the Kingdom's landscapes. Cooler mountain temperatures, more than 50 forests, juniper and acacia trees, terraced farmland and orchards producing apricots and pomegranates characterize a region shaped for centuries by its relationship with the land.

Spanning approximately 22,000 square meters, the resort brings together 30 tented Mountain Suites and an integrated Adventure Park featuring 14 indoor and outdoor attractions. The suites are positioned to offer privacy, while floor-to-ceiling windows frame views across the surrounding mountains, creating a close connection between the accommodation and the landscape beyond.

Adventure sits at the heart of Gamra's approach to wellbeing. Moving beyond traditional notions of wellness, the resort introduces the Mantis Estate of Be-ING through movement, exploration, cultural immersion and meaningful connection with nature. Experiences are designed to encourage guests of different ages to engage confidently with their surroundings, combining more adventurous challenges with accessible activities for families and younger visitors.

Rather than simply presenting Al Baha's culture, Gamra offers guests opportunities to experience it. Traditional food preparation, oral poetry, local craftsmanship, mountain exploration, and wildlife observation provide a deeper introduction to the region, while its ancient stone settlements, watchtowers, agricultural terraces, and traditional water-management systems tell the story of generations of mountain communities.

[FIRST NAME/LAST NAME / POSITION] from ASFAR said: “Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis represents an important step in unlocking Al Baha’s potential as one of the Kingdom’s most distinctive tourism destinations. Through Gamra, we are creating a new way for travelers from across Saudi Arabia and the region to experience the remarkable landscapes, heritage and traditions that define Al Baha, while ensuring that the local community remains an integral part of that journey. By creating opportunities for local talent and bringing greater visibility to the region’s culture, agriculture and natural assets, Gamra reflects our ambition to develop tourism experiences that are authentic to their destinations and contribute meaningfully to the continued growth of Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector in line with Vision 2030.”

Al Baha's culinary traditions are equally central to the experience. Gamra's two dining venues draw inspiration from the flavors and rituals of the highlands. Jamra, an open-air restaurant, brings live-fire cooking to the mountain setting, serving flame-grilled dishes alongside Arabic cuisine beneath the night sky. Hala offers Mediterranean and Arabic cuisine throughout the day, with the wider culinary story drawing inspiration from ingredients synonymous with the region, including pomegranates, Shadawi coffee and Al Baha's prized mountain honey.

The region's centuries-old beekeeping culture is particularly significant. Al Baha is renowned for its honey production, traditionally enjoyed alongside local breads, ghee, and regional dishes. Together with terraced farming and seasonal harvests, these traditions provide another way for guests to understand the relationship between Al Baha's communities and their natural environment.

Craig Erasmus, CEO, Mantis Collection, said: "As tourism continues to evolve across the Kingdom, we are seeing growing demand for destinations that allow travelers to connect more deeply with nature, culture and local communities. Al Baha's temperate climate, mountain landscapes and rich heritage are unlike anywhere else in Saudi Arabia, and Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis has been created to encourage guests to explore the region at their own pace while discovering its local craftsmanship, cultural heritage and remarkable natural surroundings."

He continued: "For Mantis, this is also an important milestone as our first property in Saudi Arabia. Our philosophy has always been that hospitality should belong to its destination, and Gamra embodies that approach. We look forward to welcoming families, couples and adventure seekers from across the Kingdom and the GCC and introducing them to the people, places and stories that make Al Baha so distinctive."

Gamra's approach also reflects Mantis' longstanding commitment to community and conservation. The resort has been conceived to minimize disruption to the surrounding terrain, soil and water systems, while local residents contribute to hospitality, guiding and cultural programming, helping ensure the guest experience remains connected to the surrounding community.

Beyond the resort, Gamra acts as a gateway to the wider Al Baha region, encouraging guests to venture further rather than experience the destination solely from within the property. Nearby attractions include Raghadan Forest, Khairah Forest, Baljurashi National Park, Al Hamda Waterfall and Bakhroush bin Allaas Castle, while centuries-old stone villages, watchtowers and historic mosques offer further insight into the region's cultural heritage.

The opening comes as Saudi Arabia continues to diversify and expand its tourism offering in line with Saudi Vision 2030, with destinations such as Al Baha creating new opportunities for domestic and regional travelers to discover the Kingdom through nature, culture and adventure.

For Mantis, Gamra represents more than its entry into Saudi Arabia. It brings the brand's community and conservation-led approach to a destination where the land, culture and people are intrinsically connected, creating a resort designed not to compete with Al Baha, but to prepare guests to experience it.

Gamra Mountain Resort by Mantis is located on Khairah Mountain in Al Baha Province. Guests traveling from within the Kingdom can fly to King Saud Bin Abdulaziz Airport (ABT) in Al Baha, with flights taking approximately 90 minutes from Riyadh and one hour from Jeddah. The resort is approximately 55 minutes by road from the airport, with the journey offering an introduction to Al Baha's mountainous landscape.

Gamra is also accessible by road, with approximate journey times of four hours from Jeddah and Makkah and ten hours from Riyadh.

Your Al Baha journey starts at Gamra. Guests are invited to discover the Kingdom from a new perspective, high above the mountains of Al Baha, where adventure, culture and nature come together. Bookings and inquiries can be made via the Mantis Travel Desk, offering personalized support for travelers and travel advisors, including flights and bespoke itineraries.

Gamra Mountain Resort also marks the beginning of Mantis’ journey in Saudi Arabia, with a second destination, Basiqat by Mantis, set to open in Riyadh in early 2027, further expanding the brand’s presence in the Kingdom.

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www.mantiscollection.com

About Mantis

Mantis is a leading community and conservation-focused hotel group with a hand-picked portfolio of eco-lodges, waterways and curated eco-escapes. Borne out of Africa and founded in 2000, Mantis has long encouraged authentic and sustainable travel. Guests can tread closer to the great and small creatures of Africa, explore sweeping plains or dive into the deep blue off tropical shores – fully immersed in each destination, connecting with local people and discovering life-changing journeys that inspire positive action.

Every Mantis property has its own unique story to tell. It tells the story of its people and culture, celebrating the authenticity of its location. All are linked through a collective ambition to be extraordinary; to be rare in a world that mass-produces sameness. Mantis is passionate about honouring its commitment to the conservation and preservation of our natural and cultural world.

Mantis is part of Accor, a world leading hospitality group counting over 5,600 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL – Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty programme providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences. An exceptional place to find yourself.

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