AED 8 Million Expansion Set to Transform Desert Tourism at The Fort – Lisaili

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Lisaili is set for a major transformation as Arabian Adventures prepares to invest AED 8 million in expanding the desert destination, bringing a new mix of adventure, dining, culture and family entertainment to travellers from 2027. The development will introduce the UAE’s first dune-top desert zipline, new dining venues, an Arabic market, viewing areas and additional visitor facilities.

For travellers who have already experienced Dubai’s skyscrapers, malls and beaches, the redevelopment could offer another way to spend an evening in the emirate — this time surrounded by dunes rather than the city skyline.

The Fort – Lisaili is getting a complete makeover

The Fort – Lisaili opened in November 2024 and is located around 40 to 45 minutes from Downtown Dubai. Its existing experience combines a desert drive with camel rides, henna, live entertainment and a barbecue dinner, while visitors can also purchase additional activities such as buggy, quad-bike and zipline experiences. Visit Dubai currently lists the attraction as an Arabian Adventures experience in the Lisaili desert.

The new investment will take that existing model considerably further. Rather than positioning the destination simply as another desert safari stop, Arabian Adventures is developing a wider leisure experience where travellers can combine food, adventure, entertainment and elements of Emirati culture during the same visit.

UAE’s first dune-top desert zipline

One of the most notable additions will be a 250-metre zipline positioned on top of a sand dune.

The attraction is scheduled to form part of the first phase of the redevelopment, which is expected to open in January 2027. Arabian Adventures says the zipline will give visitors a different perspective of the surrounding desert landscape while adding an adventure element to the destination.

For travellers, the attraction also adds another option to Dubai’s growing collection of experience-led activities. Instead of spending the evening only watching a desert performance or dining at a camp, visitors will be able to combine those experiences with a dedicated adventure activity.

More than an adventure stop

The first phase is not focused solely on adrenaline.

Arabian Adventures plans to introduce an Arabic market, a VIP majlis, new dining concepts overlooking the dunes and a dedicated children’s play area. Additional entertainment and event spaces are also planned for private celebrations, corporate gatherings and larger events.

That combination could make the destination particularly relevant to families and groups travelling together. While some visitors may head for the adventure activities, others can spend time dining, relaxing or exploring the cultural elements of the site.

The development therefore broadens the reason for visiting beyond the traditional desert-safari format.

Dubai’s tourism growth provides a strong backdrop

The investment comes as Dubai continues to attract record numbers of international visitors.

According to the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the emirate welcomed 19.59 million international overnight visitors in 2025, a 5% increase from 18.72 million in 2024. Dubai also recorded more than two million international visitors in December alone for the first time.

The visitor mix gives context to why destinations such as The Fort are expanding their offerings. Western Europe supplied 4.1 million visitors in 2025, while South Asia accounted for 2.89 million. The GCC contributed another 2.99 million visitors, showing the breadth of Dubai’s international and regional tourism market.

Desert experiences remain part of the Dubai itinerary

Dubai’s own tourism data shows that desert experiences already have a substantial place in visitors’ holiday plans.

The DET Annual Visitor Report 2024 recorded desert safaris among the city’s major attractions, with 43% of international visitors experiencing them during their trip. Cultural and heritage districts attracted an even larger share, at 66%. The same report found that 77% of international visitors travelled to Dubai for leisure and that the average stay was 10 days.

For the travel industry, those figures point to an opportunity to combine different types of experiences. A visitor staying for several days can potentially include the desert alongside Dubai’s urban, cultural, shopping and beach attractions.

The second phase arrives in July 2027

The redevelopment will continue beyond the initial launch.

From July 2027, the second phase is scheduled to add a new visitor centre with cafés, retail outlets, prayer rooms and ticketing facilities. Elevated viewing decks and VIP lounges will provide panoramic views across the desert, while dedicated camel experiences and curated animal encounters will add further cultural and heritage elements.

The destination is currently closed for redevelopment, with Arabian Adventures expecting the original experience to reopen for bookings in October 2026 before the expanded phases begin in 2027.

A different way to experience Dubai

The expansion reflects a wider shift in how travellers can experience Dubai. The city remains strongly associated with its modern architecture and luxury hospitality, but its tourism offering increasingly extends into desert, cultural and outdoor experiences.

For someone arriving in Dubai for the first time, The Fort – Lisaili could eventually fit naturally into a multi-day itinerary: a few days among the city’s landmarks, followed by an evening where the buildings disappear and the dunes take over.

And that may be the most interesting part of this AED 8 million investment. The Fort – Lisaili isn’t simply adding another activity to Dubai’s tourism menu; it is building a fuller evening around the desert — one that gives travellers more reasons to stay a little longer after the sun disappears behind the dunes.