City of Side: Buggy Safari Tour

The best part of this Koprucay River buggy safari is that it is not a tame sightseeing ride. You drive through dust, mud, shallow river sections, and the rugged setting of Koprulu Canyon National Park. The river swim halfway through gives you a welcome chance to cool off and rinse away the first layer of dirt.

I like the reliable hotel pickup and the friendly, safety-minded operation. I also like the simple value: for $42, you get transport, a helmet, a guide, and a long off-road ride rather than a short amusement-park circuit. The main drawback is that the actual driving time can feel closer to 90 minutes than four hours, since the total duration includes transfers, briefing, waiting, and the swim stop.

Key points to know before booking

• Expect a proper mud-and-dust outing: You will likely return wet, dusty, and dirty, so wear old clothes and shoes.
• The advertised route covers 20 kilometers: The ride follows the Koprucay River inside Koprulu Canyon National Park.
• The river swim is part of the fun: Bring swimwear and a towel if you want to cool off at the halfway stop.
• Buy or bring real goggles: Sunglasses do not always keep the dust out of your eyes.
• Pickup serves several resort areas: Transfers are available from Side, Kumköy, Colakli, Gundogdu, Titreyengol, and Kadriye.
• Younger children have limits: Children under 3 cannot join, and anyone under 16 may only sit in the side seat of the buggy.

Why this buggy safari is more than a short joy ride

Many motor tours give you a quick spin around a purpose-built track and call it an adventure. This one uses a route beside the Koprucay River, so the setting does much of the work. You are not simply circling a field. You are moving through the wooded and rocky surroundings of a national park, with dust behind you and the river nearby.

The activity is operated by River Quad Safari and has a strong 4.6 rating from 744 bookings. The most consistent praise goes to the fun of the driving, the friendly staff, the feeling of safety, and the value for money. The name Erkin appears in connection with the staff, and the operation is available with English, German, and Russian-speaking guides.

I would choose this if you want active fun rather than a quiet nature tour. You will get scenery, but the main attraction is the ride itself. The canyon setting makes it memorable, yet you should not book it expecting a polished scenic drive with long stops for interpretation.

Pickup from Side and nearby resorts

The tour offers pickup from Side, Kumköy, Colakli, Gundogdu, Titreyengol, and Kadriye. The vehicle collects you at the main security gate of your hotel, not at the lobby or reception desk. That detail matters, since a hotel shuttle cannot enter the grounds.

Allow extra time for the transfer. Depending on your resort, the drive to the activity base can take around 30 to 45 minutes, and some participants have spent about 45 minutes getting there. The full outing is sold as four hours, but the total is better understood as door to door. One detailed account put the overall timing at four hours, with about 90 minutes of buggy riding and roughly 90 minutes of transport.

The minibus is air-conditioned, though legroom may be tight and the vehicle may feel basic. Pickup is usually smooth, but delays can happen. One booking had a significant pickup problem, while another had a vehicle breakdown that was handled with a replacement minibus within minutes. I would keep your morning flexible and confirm the pickup point clearly.

The safety briefing and choosing your buggy

At the activity base, you receive a quick briefing before setting off. You are shown how to handle the buggy, and a helmet is included. The guides keep the group moving together, which helps the ride feel controlled even when the route gets muddy or uneven.

The buggies are designed for fun rather than speed. You may find that the group rides at a steady pace, with occasional opportunities to move through bends, mud, and river sections. Some people prefer a position toward the back, where there may be more room to catch up after slower sections. Do not treat that as permission to race or pass carelessly. One safety concern raised about the ride was people passing other buggies, and the guides are right to discourage that.

If two people share a buggy, check the driving arrangement before setting off. The usual setup does not allow drivers to swap after the halfway break. This can disappoint couples or parent and adult child teams who both want equal time behind the wheel. If driving is important to both of you, ask about the arrangement before departure.

Children under 16 may sit in the side seat but cannot drive. The activity is not suitable for children under 3, pregnant women, or people with mobility impairments. A seven-year-old enjoyed the outing from the passenger seat, and a 10-year-old was able to join with a parent, but the operator sets the age and seating rules.

Following the Koprucay River for 20 kilometers

The route is advertised as a 20-kilometer buggy drive through Koprulu Canyon National Park. The first section takes you along the river, with the route changing between dusty tracks, muddy ground, and wet sections. Expect the buggy to throw up dirt, especially when the weather is dry.

The river adds variety. You may pass through shallow water and wet sections rather than staying on a dry track the whole time. After rain, the ride can become especially muddy and wet. That is part of the appeal, but it also means your clothing and shoes may need more than a quick wash afterward.

The canyon scenery is the backdrop rather than the main event. You get views of the river and natural surroundings while concentrating on steering, following the group, and handling the track. If you want frequent photo stops and a guide explaining plants, geology, or local history, this is not the right choice. If you want to enjoy the outdoors while driving, it works well.

The advertised distance and the time estimates do not always feel identical. The official description calls it a 20-kilometer safari, while several detailed accounts describe about 90 minutes of riding, and others recall two hours or more. Group size, weather, pace, waiting, and the route used that day may affect how much time you spend on the buggy.

The halfway swim in the river

About halfway through the outing, the group stops for a short swim break. This is a practical pause as well as a pleasant one. By then, you may have dust in your hair, mud on your clothes, and grit around your face. The water gives you a chance to cool down and rinse off before the final section.

Bring a swimsuit and towel if you plan to swim. Swimwear is not included, and the operator specifically advises bringing it. The break is not a full beach stop with a long period for relaxing. Think of it as a refreshing pause in the middle of an active ride.

The timing of this stop also makes the buggy session feel less tiring. Driving continuously over rough ground can be demanding, especially in hot weather. In cooler or rainy conditions, the water may feel less inviting, but the stop still breaks up the ride.

Dust, mud, spray, and what to wear

This is the most important practical warning: you will get dirty. In dry weather, dust can make it hard to see. In wet weather, mud and spray can soak you. The combination of river water and unpaved tracks means clean holiday clothes are a poor choice.

Wear old clothing, closed shoes that you do not mind ruining, and swimwear underneath if you want to use the river. Bring a towel, sunglasses, and a scarf. A scarf can cover your nose and mouth, but proper goggles are the better investment.

Several people found sunglasses insufficient because dust reached their eyes. You can buy goggles, face coverings, bandanas, and similar items at the base, but you can also bring your own. I would pack cycling or motor-sport goggles if you have them. A fabric mask helps with dust, though it will not keep your face clean.

Protect your phone carefully. The supplied information does not promise secure storage or dry conditions, and the ride includes water and mud. You may want to leave valuable electronics behind or keep them in a properly sealed waterproof pouch.

Photos, food, and optional extras

During the ride, the guide takes photographs. Back at the base, you can look through them and decide if you want to buy the photos or a DVD. They are not included in the $42 price.

This is one of the better optional extras for a group that wants a record of the day, since it is difficult to take your own pictures while driving. One detailed account found the photos good and reasonably priced, with no hard sell. That is useful because the ride is messy and active, and you may not want to risk your own camera.

Food and drinks are not included. A small amount of hot food may be available at the base, along with drinks and items such as goggles and face coverings. Prices were described as reasonable, but you should budget separately if you want refreshments or equipment.

Is $42 good value?

At $42 per person, I consider this good value if you want a half-day activity with transport. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, helmet, and the 20-kilometer buggy experience. You are not paying separately for a transfer to a remote activity base.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a long driving session with no pauses. The four-hour duration includes the journey, briefing, group organization, and swim break. Actual time behind the wheel may be around 90 minutes, though some groups report two hours or more.

Compared with booking transport and an off-road activity separately, the package is convenient. The included transfer is especially useful from Side and the nearby resort zones. Just remember that goggles, face coverings, food, drinks, photos, and DVDs cost extra.

Who will enjoy this most?

I would recommend it for couples, families with older children, and friends who enjoy active holiday outings. It suits people who like a little controlled chaos: mud on the buggy, dust in the air, a river stop, and a return to the base looking far less tidy than when they left.

It also works well for a group with mixed interests. A teenager or adult can drive, while a younger child can sit beside the driver if permitted. Someone who does not want to drive can still join as a passenger, though you should expect the passenger to get just as dirty.

I would not choose it for a pregnant person, anyone with limited mobility, or a visitor hoping for a calm nature excursion. Children under 3 cannot participate, and those under 16 cannot drive. If you dislike dirt, wet clothes, tight minibus seating, or possible waiting, choose a different outing.

Practical booking advice for Side

Choose the hotel pickup point carefully and wait at the main security gate. If your hotel does not appear in the booking options, add its name under special requests. Service may still be possible if the hotel lies within the operating area.

Keep the morning free rather than scheduling a museum visit or airport transfer immediately afterward. Pickup delays, roadside collections, and group organization can change the timing. The advertised duration is four hours, but the experience may run on a wider schedule depending on traffic and the number of people joining.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. The activity runs with guides speaking English, German, and Russian, which is useful for the safety briefing and group instructions.

Should you book the Koprucay buggy safari?

Book it if you want mud, speed, river water, and an easy hotel transfer in one reasonably priced half-day outing. The strongest part is the driving itself, backed by canyon scenery and a refreshing swim stop. The operation generally feels safe and well organized, and the staff do not appear to pressure you into buying extras.

Skip it if you want every minute to be driving, or if you need a quiet, dry, highly polished tour. Bring goggles, a scarf, old clothes, swimwear, and a towel, and expect some waiting. With those expectations in place, this is one of the better-value active excursions from Side.

FAQ

How long does the buggy safari last?

The advertised duration is four hours, including transportation. The buggy driving itself is often around 90 minutes, though the route and group pace can result in more or less driving time.

How far do you drive?

The activity includes 20 kilometers of buggy driving along the Koprucay River in Koprulu Canyon National Park.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included from Side, Kumköy, Colakli, Gundogdu, Titreyengol, and Kadriye, subject to the service area.

Where do I meet the pickup vehicle?

You meet the vehicle at the main security gate of your hotel, not at the lobby or reception area.

Can I swim during the tour?

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

What should I wear?

Wear old clothes and suitable shoes that can get wet, muddy, and dusty. Bring sunglasses, a scarf, swimwear, and a towel. Goggles are strongly recommended for the dust.

Are goggles and food included?

No. Food, drinks, goggles, face coverings, bandanas, sunglasses, suitable shoes, photos, and DVDs are not included. Some of these items may be available to buy at the activity base.

Can children drive the buggies?

People under 16 may only sit in the side seat of the buggy. Children under 3 cannot join the activity.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant people or those with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments.