Arabian Adventures Invests AED 8 Million to Transform The Fort – Lisaili with New Desert Experiences

Arabian Adventures, part of the Emirates Group, is investing AED 8 million to expand and transform The Fort – Lisaili, introducing a new concept and design vision that is set to add a major collection of adventure, cultural, dining and entertainment experiences to Dubai’s desert tourism offering.

The expansion was unveiled at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Dubai 2026, highlighting the growing demand for experience-led tourism among international visitors and UAE residents. Located around 45 minutes from Downtown Dubai, The Fort – Lisaili has developed since its November 2024 launch into a destination combining desert dining, live entertainment, family activities and outdoor adventures.

The redevelopment is designed to take the concept beyond a conventional desert excursion. Arabian Adventures is creating a more flexible destination where guests can combine different experiences according to their interests, while new hospitality, cultural and entertainment facilities are intended to encourage longer visits and repeat travel.

Why Is Arabian Adventures Investing AED 8 Million in The Fort – Lisaili?

The AED 8 million investment reflects Arabian Adventures’ response to changing visitor expectations in Dubai, where travellers increasingly seek experiences that combine entertainment, culture, food, adventure and distinctive settings.

The Fort – Lisaili already offers a combination of camel rides, dune buggy adventures, 4×4 desert drives, dining and live entertainment. The expansion will add new attractions and hospitality concepts while giving visitors greater choice over how they spend their time at the destination.

For UAE residents, the development also creates an additional leisure proposition within relatively easy reach of central Dubai. International visitors, meanwhile, will be able to incorporate a broader range of desert experiences into their Dubai itineraries.

When Will The Fort – Lisaili Reopen?

The destination is currently closed while an extensive redevelopment programme is carried out.

The original experience is scheduled to reopen for bookings from October 2026, allowing guests to return to the existing offering before the expanded destination begins its phased launch.

The first phase of the new development is scheduled to open in January 2027, followed by a second phase in July 2027.

This staged approach will allow Arabian Adventures to progressively introduce new attractions, venues and visitor facilities rather than reopening the entire expanded destination simultaneously.

What Will Phase One Add to The Fort – Lisaili?

The first phase, scheduled for January 2027, will significantly broaden the destination’s mix of attractions and hospitality facilities.

One of the key additions will be an authentic Arabic market, providing a stronger cultural component alongside an exclusive VIP majlis designed for premium experiences and private gatherings.

New dining concepts will also overlook the surrounding dunes, creating settings where food becomes part of the wider desert experience. Families will have access to a dedicated children’s play area, expanding the destination’s appeal beyond adventure-focused activities.

The redevelopment will also introduce new entertainment and event spaces capable of hosting a wide range of occasions, from intimate private celebrations and corporate gatherings to larger-scale events.

Will Dubai Get Its First Dune-Top Desert Zipline?

A major attraction within phase one will be the UAE’s first dune-top desert zipline.

The zipline will stretch approximately 250 metres from the crest of a sand dune, giving participants a different perspective of Dubai’s desert landscape.

The attraction forms part of Arabian Adventures’ wider concept for The Fort – Lisaili, bringing adventure, culture, entertainment and hospitality together within a single destination.

Its location on top of the dunes is also intended to make the surrounding landscape part of the experience rather than simply a backdrop for traditional desert activities.

What Will Phase Two Bring in July 2027?

The second phase is scheduled to launch in July 2027, adding facilities designed to create a central hub for visitors.

A new visitor centre will serve as the destination’s main arrival and service point. It will include cafés, retail outlets, prayer rooms and ticketing facilities, providing visitors with a dedicated place to organise their experiences.

The development will also feature elevated viewing decks and exclusive VIP lounges, offering panoramic views across the surrounding desert.

These additions are expected to strengthen the premium hospitality component of The Fort – Lisaili while creating additional spaces for visitors to relax and take in the landscape.

How Will The Expansion Strengthen Dubai’s Desert Tourism?

The redevelopment reflects Dubai’s broader focus on developing tourism products that extend beyond traditional sightseeing.

Desert tourism has become an established part of the Dubai visitor experience, but the expansion of The Fort – Lisaili introduces a more comprehensive destination model. Visitors will be able to combine outdoor adventure with dining, cultural activities, entertainment, family facilities and premium hospitality during the same visit.

The approach also responds to demand from different visitor segments. Families, leisure travellers, UAE residents, corporate groups and event organisers will all have access to different components of the expanded destination.

This flexibility is central to the new concept, allowing guests to construct their own desert itinerary rather than following a single fixed experience.

How Will Animal Experiences Connect Visitors With UAE Heritage?

Phase two will introduce dedicated camel experiences and curated animal encounters, strengthening the connection between the destination and the UAE’s desert heritage.

Camels have historically played an important role in life across the Arabian Peninsula, including transport, trade and cultural traditions. Incorporating dedicated camel experiences allows visitors to engage with an element of Emirati heritage while remaining within a contemporary tourism environment.

The animal experiences will complement the new cultural facilities and adventure attractions, creating a wider interpretation of the desert rather than focusing exclusively on adrenaline-based activities.

What Was Revealed at Arabian Travel Market Dubai 2026?

Visitors attending Arabian Travel Market Dubai 2026 were given an early look at the future of The Fort – Lisaili through an immersive activation at the Arabian Adventures stand.

The activation brought elements of the destination’s future design and guest experience to the Dubai World Trade Centre, giving travel trade professionals and industry visitors an opportunity to preview the redevelopment before its physical launch.

The ATM showcase also positions The Fort – Lisaili within the wider conversation around Dubai’s tourism development, particularly the increasing importance of immersive and experience-led products.

What Does The Fort – Lisaili Expansion Mean for Dubai Visitors?

The AED 8 million redevelopment is set to change the scale and scope of The Fort – Lisaili, moving it towards a more comprehensive desert leisure destination.

The combination of a new Arabic market, VIP majlis, restaurants, children’s facilities, event venues, zipline, visitor centre, viewing decks, lounges and camel experiences will provide visitors with significantly more options than the original concept.

The phased opening also means the destination will continue evolving after its initial expansion launch. With the original experience returning in October 2026, phase one following in January 2027 and phase two arriving in July 2027, The Fort – Lisaili is being developed as a multi-stage tourism proposition within Dubai’s expanding leisure landscape.