The Fort Lisaili Desert Experience: BBQ Dinner, Camels and Fire Show

The Fort Lisaili is a desert camp run by Arabian Adventures, in the village of Lisaili, about a 45-minute drive from Downtown Dubai. It sits at the foot of a row of sand dunes and is a popular sunset spot, beside the Hidden Café and a fort-shaped structure. It can be reached with a shared transfer or in your own vehicle, and self-drive guests have parking and a reduced entrance fee.

The idea is different from the familiar dune safari. There is no dune bashing here, and the experience takes place outside the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve. It is a calmer evening, suited to families and to anyone who wants to enjoy the desert, the food and the entertainment at a comfortable pace, and wander between the dunes and the camp without hurry.

What the entrance ticket includes: a BBQ buffet dinner in a Bedouin-inspired setting, soft drinks, live entertainment including a fire show, a camel ride, henna hand painting and family games such as archery on the dunes. Two soft drinks and unlimited water are also included. The entertainment changes in line with the authorities' directives, and during Ramadan belly dancing is not held unless advised otherwise.

What you can add on site for a separate payment: buggy and quad rides, a bar with alcoholic drinks, an Aperol Spritz sunset lounge, a shisha lounge, photography services and souvenir shops. Chargeable services like these are paid directly on site. Anyone who wants to ride a quad or buggy needs closed shoes, and the minimum age to drive a quad is 12 and a waiver must be signed.

Timings: the venue is open from 16:00 to 20:30, and the transfer-based tour lasts about 6 hours, including about 45 minutes' travel each way. Pick-up is estimated around 15:30 and the return around 21:30, and times may vary. The entertainment and dinner last about 90 minutes. The exact time is coordinated with us after booking.

Ages: all ages are welcome. Children aged 4 and under enter free on shared transfer packages, and the booking form lists child (5-11) and infant categories. Children and infants under 5 are free of charge, and it is important to give the age and any child-seat requirement at the time of booking.

Food: anyone with special dietary requirements should contact the venue before arrival, as guests who arrive without arrangement may not be accommodated. Toilets are available across the site.

A note about the transfer: the ticket on this page states that pick-up is included on a shared transfer (by coach or minivan). However, some sources also mention a self-drive option, so the exact way to arrive, the location and the time are coordinated with us after booking.