City of Side: Buggy Safari Tour

The best part of this Side buggy safari is that it gets you out of the resort zone and into Koprulu Canyon National Park, where the route follows the Koprucay River through dust, mud, and shallow water. You drive the buggy yourself, not just sit in a vehicle while someone else has the fun.

I like the long off-road route and the cool swim break halfway through. I also like the practical door-to-door transport from Side and nearby resorts, which makes this a simple half-day outing. The trade-off is that the driving time can feel shorter than the four-hour headline once transfers, waiting, and safety instructions are counted.

Key points at a glance

• 20-kilometer buggy route: Expect a guided ride beside the Koprucay River, with some accounts putting the actual driving time at about 90 minutes and others at two hours or more.
• Dust, mud, and water: You are very likely to get dirty and wet, even in good weather. Rain can make the ride wetter, but not necessarily less fun.
• Mid-route river stop: Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to cool off and wash away some of the dust.
• Goggles matter: Sunglasses are useful for glare, but several riders found that proper goggles do a much better job against flying grit.
• Hotel pickup included: Collection is from your hotel’s main security gate, not the lobby or reception desk.
• Good value at $42: The price covers transport, guide, helmet, and buggy driving, but photos, food, drinks, and extra dust protection cost more.

Leaving Side for the Koprucay River

This tour begins with pickup from Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Titreyengöl, or Kadriye. The vehicle collects you at the main security gate of your hotel, since tour minibuses generally cannot enter the hotel grounds. If your property does not appear during booking, add its name in the special requests field.

The drive to the activity base takes roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Side, depending on the pickup route. That timing matters because the advertised four hours is door to door, not four full hours on the buggy. Multiple hotel pickups can add waiting time, and one early start report included a replacement minibus after a breakdown. That was handled quickly, but it shows why I would keep the rest of the day flexible.

The minibus is air-conditioned, though comfort can vary. One account described tight legroom and a tired vehicle. This is a practical transfer, not a luxury ride. If you are tall, traveling with small children, or prone to motion sickness, keep that in mind.

Once you arrive, the activity base gives you time to prepare, choose equipment, and listen to the safety briefing. Some departures have included a small amount of hot food, plus drinks and basic items for sale. These extras are not part of the $42 price, but the available reports describe the prices as reasonable rather than inflated.

Getting Ready for a Dirty Ride

The briefing is short and covers how to handle the buggy and follow the guide. You receive a helmet, and the staff organize the group before setting off. Guides speak English, German, and Russian, so you can choose from those languages when checking availability.

The buggies are driven in a group behind or near the guide. This is not a free-for-all race. You need to stay with the group, follow instructions, and avoid passing other vehicles in unsafe places. One useful practical point is that riders near the back may have a little more chance to catch up after slowing down, but you should never treat the route as a racing course.

The driving itself is approachable for people with some confidence behind a wheel. You do not need to be an expert off-road driver, but you should be comfortable with rough ground, turns, mud, and water crossings. The ride can feel bumpy and tiring, especially if you are trying to keep a firm grip for the full route.

People under 16 can only ride in the side seat of the buggy. Children under three, pregnant women, and people with mobility impairments should not book this activity. A parent and child can enjoy the same buggy in suitable circumstances, but the age rule still applies.

Wear old clothes and shoes. The dust gets into everything, and wet sections can leave you muddy from the waist down. A swimsuit under your clothes makes the river stop much easier.

Following the River for 20 Kilometers

The central part of the outing is the guided buggy route along the Koprucay River. The tour description lists 20 kilometers of buggy driving, with an initial 10-kilometer section before the break and a second section afterward. The exact amount of time behind the wheel can vary by group size, pace, and waiting at the base.

The route is appealing because the scenery changes as you ride. You get trees, river views, rough tracks, and the open feel of Koprulu Canyon National Park. This is not a sightseeing drive where you stop every few minutes for a long explanation. The main pleasure is the motion: steering, bouncing over uneven ground, and watching the river appear and disappear beside the track.

Dust is part of the deal. In dry conditions, the buggy ahead can throw grit directly toward you. Sunglasses help with sunlight, but they leave gaps around the eyes. I would bring proper riding goggles if you have them. You can also buy goggles at the base, and this is one extra that makes a real difference rather than a needless add-on.

A scarf or bandana helps cover your nose and mouth. The tour information also lists a mask as an extra option, along with sunglasses and suitable shoes. I would bring your own fabric face covering if you have one. It is lighter and cheaper than buying every item on arrival.

The route can be wet as well as dusty. You may pass through muddy sections and water, and a rainy day can leave you soaked. That is why old clothes are not just a suggestion. Put phones, wallets, and cameras in something waterproof before you leave.

The River Swim Break Halfway Through

About halfway through the ride, the group stops for a short break by the river. This is a useful pause, not a separate beach session. You can cool down, stretch your legs, and, if conditions allow, swim in the Koprucay River.

Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to get in. The break also gives you a chance to rinse some of the first layer of mud and dust from your face and arms. If you do not want to swim, you can simply use the time to rest and watch the group.

The timing of the stop makes sense. Buggy driving is active, and the dust can be tiring. A pause halfway keeps the ride from feeling like one long stretch of noise and vibration. The drawback is that the swim break reduces the time spent driving, so anyone measuring value purely by minutes behind the wheel may prefer a tour with a longer uninterrupted route.

You cannot count on warm-weather swimming every month. A spring or autumn outing may be pleasant but cool, and one rider specifically noted that the river stop would likely be better when the weather was hot. Bring the swimsuit anyway if you want the option.

Returning Dusty, Wet, and Happy

After the river stop, you continue on the remaining section of the route and return to the activity base. The full driving time is not completely fixed. Some reports describe about 90 minutes on the buggies, while others describe two hours or more, including a longer route through the river area.

That difference likely comes from the pace of each departure, the number of vehicles, and how much time the group spends preparing and stopping. One thing is clear: you should not book this expecting four solid hours of driving. The four-hour duration includes transport, briefing, preparation, and the return transfer.

Back at the base, you can look through photos taken during the ride. The photographer captures action shots along the route, and you can buy photos or a DVD separately. You do not need to purchase them. Some outings have produced very good pictures, so this may be worth considering if you want a souvenir, but treat it as an optional cost rather than part of the package.

The transfer then takes you back to your hotel’s security gate. Pickup and drop-off are included for the listed service areas, but the exact time can shift because of traffic and other hotel stops. I would avoid booking a flight, spa appointment, or timed dinner too close to the advertised return.

How Much Fun Is It for the Money?

At $42 per person, this is a strong-value half-day activity if you want hands-on adventure rather than a quiet nature visit. The price includes the main ingredients: hotel transport, an expert guide, helmet, and 20 kilometers of buggy driving. You also get access to the river stop and the canyon park setting without arranging transport yourself.

The value is better for people who would otherwise pay separately for a transfer to Koprulu Canyon. It is also convenient for families or groups staying in different resort areas, since the pickup network covers Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Titreyengöl, and Kadriye.

The price is less attractive if you dislike dust, mud, or group schedules. You will need to budget extra for food, drinks, goggles, face coverings, suitable footwear, photos, and DVDs. Those costs are optional, but the goggles are the one extra I would take seriously.

There can also be waiting at the beginning, especially when many buggies are gathering. One account described a long wait, while others found the organization quick and smooth. Group size affects the feel of the ride. A smaller group can mean less stopping and fewer vehicles kicking dust into your face, while a large group may create more delays.

Who Should Book This Buggy Safari?

I would recommend it to active families with older children, couples, and friends who want a lively break from hotel pools and beach time. It also suits anyone who likes driving and does not mind returning with mud on their clothes.

It is a particularly good choice if you want one activity that combines transport, scenery, a short swim, and off-road driving. You do not need to be a serious motor-sports fan. The route is structured, guided, and designed for holidaymakers, not professional drivers.

I would hesitate to book it for a person with limited mobility, someone who is pregnant, or anyone who strongly dislikes rough rides. It is also a poor match if you want a quiet tour with long explanations about the national park. The focus is physical fun, not a detailed cultural or natural-history lesson.

If two people plan to share a buggy, check the driving arrangement before departure. Some riders were disappointed that they could not swap drivers after the break. The safety reason is understandable, but you should not assume that both people will get an equal turn.

What to Pack for the Koprulu Canyon Ride

Bring the following:

• Old clothes that can handle mud and dust
• Swimwear and a towel
• Sunglasses, plus proper goggles if possible
• A scarf or bandana for your nose and mouth
• Closed, suitable shoes
• A waterproof pouch for your phone and valuables
• Water if you prefer to carry your own

Do not bring a pet. Keep anything fragile or valuable securely packed. Dust reaches places you would not expect, and the water sections add another risk.

A hat can help with sun, but make sure it fits under or around the helmet safely. You may be able to buy goggles, masks, food, and drinks at the base, but bringing the basics from your hotel is easier.

Booking Details That Matter

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your schedule may change.

Pickup and drop-off are available from the six named resort areas, and the collection point is the hotel security gate. If you are staying outside the listed areas, do not assume transport is included. Add your hotel details to the special requests section and wait for confirmation that it falls within the service area.

The tour lasts four hours, but the actual start time varies. Check the available departure times before booking. The guides operate in English, German, and Russian.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a muddy, active, good-value outing and like the idea of driving beside a river through Koprulu Canyon National Park. The strongest reasons are the hands-on buggy time, the swim stop, the included transfers, and the simple $42 price.

Skip it if you want four full hours of driving, dislike dust, or need a carefully timed schedule. If you do book, bring goggles, a scarf, swimwear, a towel, and clothes you do not mind throwing straight into the wash. With those preparations, you can enjoy the route for what it is: a noisy, wet, dusty burst of holiday fun rather than a polished sightseeing excursion.

FAQ

How long does the buggy safari last?

The advertised duration is four hours, including hotel pickup, transport, preparation, the buggy route, the river stop, and the return journey. Actual buggy driving may be about 90 minutes to two hours or more, depending on the group and schedule.

How far do you drive?

The tour includes 20 kilometers of buggy driving along the Koprucay River.

Where does the tour pick me up?

Pickup is available from Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Titreyengöl, and Kadriye. The vehicle collects you at the main security gate of your hotel, not at the lobby or reception desk.

Is hotel transportation included?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for the stated service area, using an air-conditioned bus or minibus.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. There is a short swim break around the middle of the route. Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to enter the river.

What should I wear?

Wear old clothes, suitable shoes, sunglasses or goggles, and a scarf or bandana to cover your nose and mouth. You should expect to get dusty, muddy, and wet.

Can children ride the buggies?

Children under three are not suitable for the activity. People under 16 may only sit in the side seat of the buggy.

What is included in the $42 price?

The price includes an expert guide, hotel pickup and drop-off, 20 kilometers of buggy driving, and a helmet. Food, drinks, extra equipment, photos, and DVDs are not included.