Is a buggy safari in Side safe? The honest answer from the team that runs it every day: each buggy in our fleet carries a full roll cage and seat belts for both driver and passenger, every driver completes a supervised test drive at our base before the track, and professional guides control every departure of up to 40 guests. No off-road activity is completely free of risk — dust, mud and water splashes are part of the programme — but the buggy's four-wheel stability and belted side-by-side seating are exactly why nervous first-timers and parents usually pick it. The Side Buggy Safari costs €30 per adult, €18 per child, runs about 4 hours door to door — book free online, pay on the day.
The hardware: what protects you in a buggy
A buggy is a two-seater side-by-side machine, and its safety story starts with the frame: a full roll cage around both seats. The driver steers with a wheel, like a car; driver and passenger are strapped in with seat belts; four wheels stay on the ground. Helmets are included for everyone.
A quad is different: a single-rider open ATV with a handlebar throttle, no cage, no belts. Both are enormous fun — the buggy simply carries more protective hardware around you, which is why our buggy safari page is our first recommendation for families and cautious drivers.
The system: briefing, supervised test drive, guided group
Hardware alone does not make a tour safe — the routine around it does. Before anyone touches the track, our guides run a full safety briefing at the base: how the machine behaves, how to brake, what distance to keep, what the hand signals mean.
Then comes the part our guests value most: the supervised test drive. Before the convoy leaves, every driver takes the wheel under our guides' eyes. Guests who handle the buggy confidently ride as drivers; anyone who prefers not to drive simply joins as a belted passenger — no pressure. Drivers must be at least 16 and show ID at the base.
On the track, the group — never more than 40 guests per departure — rides as a guided convoy. Our guides set the pace, keep the group together and stop it whenever needed. Nobody races anybody.
Honest talk: what the terrain is really like
We will not pretend it is a paved promenade. The route runs through the Taurus foothills behind Side: forest tracks, loose surfaces, dust, deliberate mud pits and water-splash stops. Of roughly 4 hours door to door, about 1.5–2 hours is actual off-road driving. You will get dirty and probably wet — that is the point. Bring a complete change of clothes; our base has changing cabins and showers, so you return to your hotel clean.
Who drives, who rides as passenger
- Drivers: age 16 and up, ID shown at the base, confident control in the supervised test drive.
- Passengers: from age 6, securely belted into the seat next to the driver.
- Back or neck issues: the terrain is bumpy — join as a passenger rather than driving.
Buggy vs quad: safety hardware at a glance
| Feature | Side Buggy Safari | Side Quad Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | Side-by-side seats: driver + belted passenger | Single-rider saddle, one machine per driver |
| Roll cage | Full cage around both seats | None — open machine |
| Seat belts | Driver and passenger belted | None — rider holds the handlebars |
| Controls | Steering wheel, car-like | Handlebar throttle |
| Helmet | Included | Included |
| Briefing + supervised test drive | Yes | Yes |
| Price and duration | €30 adult / €18 child, ~4 h | €25 adult / €15 child, ~3 h |
Both tours run on the same system — briefing, supervised test drive, helmets, guided convoy. The difference is the machine around you. Still weighing the two? Our detailed quad vs buggy comparison goes through it point by point.
Practical information
- Price: €30 adult / €18 child, infants free — pay on the day, no prepayment.
- Duration: about 4 hours door to door, including 1.5–2 hours of riding.
- Pickup: free hotel pick-up and drop-off in Side centre, Kumköy, Evrenseki, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Sorgun and Titreyengöl; morning or afternoon session, exact time confirmed at booking.
- Included: safety briefing, supervised test drive, helmet, changing cabins and showers at the base.
- Paid extras at the base: protective goggles, bandanas, food and drinks, professional photo and video service.
FAQ
Is a buggy safer than a quad?
The buggy is more stable and carries more hardware: full roll cage, belts for driver and passenger, four-wheel side-by-side stance; the quad is an open single-rider machine. Both run under the same system — briefing, supervised test drive, helmets and a guided convoy. Cautious first-timers and parents usually choose the buggy; confident riders often prefer the quad's direct handling. See our full quad vs buggy guide.
Can my child sit with me in the buggy?
Yes. Children ride as passengers from age 6, securely belted next to the driver — exactly why the buggy is our most-booked family option. Child tickets are €18; driving starts at 16 with ID.
What should I wear for a buggy safari?
Clothes you would not mind sacrificing to the mud: closed shoes, shorts or light trousers, sunglasses or goggles (available at the base) and a complete change of clothes for after the showers. Our guide on what to wear for a quad or buggy safari covers it head to toe.
I have never driven off-road. Can I still drive?
That is what the supervised test drive is for. Every driver tries the buggy at our base first, under a guide's supervision; if you handle it confidently, you drive on the track. If not, you ride belted next to a driver and enjoy the same tour.
Ready to see the Taurus foothills from behind a roll cage? Reserve your seats on the Side Buggy Safari — booking is free online, you pay €30 per adult on the day of the tour, and our guides handle the rest.