You have booked a two-seat off-road buggy through the Taurus foothills behind Side, Manavgat and the wider Antalya coast. The helmet, goggles, safety briefing and practice lap are all sorted for you. The one thing nobody hands you at the meeting point is a sensible outfit — and on a dusty, muddy trail with shallow water crossings, the wrong clothing turns a brilliant morning into an uncomfortable one. This guide is the mirror image of a packing list: everything you should leave at the hotel. Get it right and you will spend the whole ride grinning instead of fussing with a slipping sandal or a scarf caught in the wind.
Anything Loose That Can Flap, Snag or Fly Off
The single most important rule of dressing for a buggy safari is this: nothing loose. An open-cab off-road buggy generates real wind, and the trails throw up branches, dust and spray. Loose fabric flaps, catches and distracts exactly when you want your hands steady on the wheel.
- Scarves, shawls and long pashminas. A trailing scarf is the classic hazard — it can whip into your face or catch on the roll cage or vegetation. If you want your neck covered against dust, wear a snug tube buff instead, tucked in.
- Wide-brim sun hats and loose caps. They simply blow off. Your helmet does the sun-and-safety job on the trail; keep the floppy hat for the beach.
- Flowing dresses, kaftans and baggy trousers. Lovely for the promenade, wrong for an open buggy. Fabric that billows gets dirty fast and can snag when you climb in and out.
- Long, loose jewellery and dangling earrings. Leave necklaces and bracelets behind. They catch, they rattle, and if one falls off on the trail it is gone for good.
Sandals, Flip-Flops and Open Shoes
This is the mistake we see most often, and the easiest to avoid. You will be climbing in and out of the buggy, working the pedals, and standing on ground that is dusty in summer and muddy after rain. Open footwear fails on every count.
Flip-flops slide off, offer zero grip and leave your toes exposed to stones, hot metal and the odd thorn. Slip-on sandals are barely better. What you want is a closed-toe shoe with a proper sole — trainers or sturdy walking shoes are ideal. And here is the honest part: whatever you wear on your feet will get dusty, splashed and possibly muddy, so choose a pair you do not care about. Bring a clean pair to change into for the ride back.
White and Your Best Holiday Outfit
A buggy safari is, by design, a messy adventure. Fine ochre dust hangs in the air on dry trails, and the shallow water crossings send up a satisfying spray of muddy water. That is half the fun — but it is unkind to a crisp white outfit.
- Skip anything white or pale. Dust and mud stains show instantly and do not always wash out cleanly. Darker colours and earthy tones hide the trail far better.
- Do not wear brand-new or designer clothing. Treat this as a “clothes you would happily garden in” occasion. Old, comfortable, movement-friendly kit is exactly right.
- Avoid delicate fabrics. Silk, fine linen and anything that needs dry-cleaning has no place on the trail. Cotton and quick-dry synthetics are your friends.
If you are riding in the warmer months, light long sleeves and light long trousers are actually smarter than shorts and a vest: they protect your skin from sun and dust while still being cool enough for the Antalya heat.
Valuables You Cannot Afford to Lose
An open buggy bouncing over rough ground is no place for anything precious. Vibration and jolts work items loose, and a dropped item on a forest trail is rarely found again.
- Leave expensive watches, rings and jewellery in the hotel safe. Sentimental pieces especially — the trail is unforgiving.
- Do not carry loose phones, wallets or keys in open pockets. They bounce out. If you must bring your phone, use a secured zip pocket or, better, a small strap or lanyard.
- Think twice about loose sunglasses. You will be wearing the provided goggles for the ride anyway, and unsecured sunglasses tend to end up in the dust.
Carry the absolute minimum. Your hotel key, a little cash and your phone — all zipped away — is plenty.
Contact Lenses, Fresh Make-Up and Loose Hair
A few personal-care details make a real difference to comfort on a dusty trail.
- Contact-lens wearers, take note. Trail dust and contacts are an uncomfortable mix. The provided goggles help a great deal, but bring a lens case, drops and a backup pair of glasses just in case. If you are prone to dry or irritated eyes, glasses under the goggles may be the more comfortable choice.
- Save the fresh make-up for the evening. Between the dust, spray and sweat, it will not survive the ride — and you would rather it did not run into your eyes.
- Tie long hair back. Loose hair whips around, tangles and traps dust. A low plait or bun that sits comfortably under the helmet is ideal.
What to Wear Instead — The Quick Version
So we do not leave you only with a list of “don’ts”: aim for closed-toe trainers you do not mind ruining, dark comfortable clothes that move with you, light long sleeves in summer, a snug buff rather than a scarf, and only the essentials in a zipped pocket. The helmet and goggles go on over the top. Dress like that and you are set for the whole trail, from the first dusty straight to the final water crossing.
Do I need special clothing or riding gear to join?
No. There is no dress code beyond common sense, and no special equipment to buy. The helmet, goggles and safety briefing are provided free, and no licence or experience is needed. Just arrive in closed shoes and comfortable clothes you do not mind getting dusty.
Will my clothes really get that dirty?
On dry summer trails you will mostly collect dust; after rain, and at the shallow water crossings, expect some genuine mud and spray. It brushes and washes off skin easily, but pale and delicate fabrics can stain, so wear older, darker clothes and bring a clean set for the drive home.
Can I bring my phone to take photos?
Yes, but secure it. Use a zipped pocket or a strap so it cannot bounce out on rough ground, and be aware it may get dusty or splashed. Many riders prefer to film only during calmer stretches and keep both hands on the wheel over the rough sections.
What should children wear as passengers?
The same sensible rules apply: closed-toe shoes, comfortable clothes that can get dirty, and long hair tied back. A child can ride safely buckled in beside a parent, so dress them for dust and a little mud, and skip anything loose or precious.
Booking, Pick-Up and the Practical Bits
Once your outfit is sorted, the rest is easy. Booking is reserve-free and you pay on the day — no prepayment, and you can check the current price when you book rather than relying on an out-of-date figure. Free hotel pick-up and drop-off is included across the Side, Manavgat, Belek, Alanya and Kemer areas, so you are collected door-to-door; you will be told whether you are on a morning or afternoon session, with the exact time confirmed at booking. Two people share one buggy for a single price, which makes it a natural choice for couples and families — and if you fancy pairing it with rafting in Köprülü Canyon, that is a seasonal spring-to-autumn option worth asking about. Turn up in the right shoes, leave the scarf and the white jeans at the hotel, and the trail will do the rest.