Booked a buggy safari near Side, Manavgat or Antalya and wondering what actually happens on the day? Here is the whole experience laid out step by step, so nothing takes you by surprise. No licence, no experience and no prepayment are needed — you simply turn up ready to get dusty. If you would rather read the tour details and prices first, head to our buggy safari page.
Step 1: Free hotel pickup
Your day starts with a free transfer from your hotel. We collect you in the morning or the afternoon depending on the session — we will confirm an approximate pickup window with you in advance, as exact times vary from hotel to hotel. Wear old clothes and closed shoes (trainers are ideal), because you will finish the ride caked in dust and quite possibly mud. Bring a change of clothes and a towel to leave on the bus.
Step 2: Arrival and briefing
Once you reach the off-road base in the Taurus foothills, a guide runs a safety briefing. You will learn how the side-by-side buggy works: the accelerator, the brake, the steering and how to take the bends. It is genuinely simple, and the briefing is given in a language you can follow. Two people share one buggy for one price, so you decide between you who drives first — you can swap over during the ride.
Step 3: Gear up and practice lap
Helmets and the necessary protective gear are provided. You climb into the roll-caged buggy, fasten your seatbelts and take a short practice lap on easy ground. This lets you get a feel for the throttle and steering before the real trail begins. If anything feels unclear, this is the moment to ask the guide.
Step 4: On the trail
Now the fun starts. You follow the guide in convoy along dusty and often muddy tracks through the Taurus foothills, splashing through water crossings and rattling over rough ground. The buggy sits low with a wide stance, so it feels stable and forgiving even when the terrain gets bumpy. Whoever is not driving hangs on and enjoys the ride — then you swap at a stopping point so both of you get a turn behind the wheel. Expect plenty of laughs, spray and the occasional slide through a puddle.
Step 5: The water fight
A buggy safari near Side has a tradition: it often ends in a water fight. By this point you are already coated in dust, so nobody minds getting soaked. It is the perfect cool-down after a hot, dusty trail and one of the moments everyone remembers most. This is exactly why we say leave anything you want to keep dry back on the bus.
Step 6: Freshen up and return
After the ride you have a chance to rinse off the worst of the mud and change into dry clothes. Then it is back on the transfer and a free drop-off at your hotel. All in, plan for a fun half-day out, though the exact length depends on the trail and your session.
What to bring
- Old clothes you do not mind ruining, plus a dry change
- Closed shoes — trainers, not sandals or flip-flops
- A towel and maybe swimwear under your clothes for the water fight
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and water
- Cash to pay the guide on the day — there is no prepayment
Good to know
Booking direct gives you the best price, and it beats what a hotel rep or an online agency will quote you. You pay the guide on the day rather than upfront, so there is nothing to lose by reserving your spot early. Buggy safaris run for most of the year thanks to Antalya's long, warm season. Prefer more of a thrill? Many riders pair the buggy with rafting in Köprülü Canyon, a canyon zipline, the Tazı Canyon or a Taurus jeep safari — ask us and we will arrange a combo. Browse everything on our tours page and pick your day out. Now you know the step-by-step, you can arrive relaxed and simply enjoy the ride.