City of Side: Buggy Safari Tour

The best part of this Köprüçay River buggy safari is that the route is not just a dry off-road track. You drive through Köprülü Canyon National Park, follow the river, and stop for a swim before setting off again. Expect mud, dust, water, and a fair bit of engine noise.

I like the reliable hotel pickup and the friendly, safety-minded staff. I also like the river break, which gives you a chance to cool off and wash away the first layer of dirt. The main drawback is that the actual driving time can feel shorter than the four-hour headline, especially when transfers, group instructions, and waiting are included.

Key points to know before booking

• A 20-kilometer route beside the river: You drive through forest and rough tracks in Köprülü Canyon National Park, with water crossings and muddy sections.
• Bring proper eye protection: Sunglasses are often not enough. Dust rises quickly, so goggles are one of the smartest extras you can bring or buy.
• You will get wet and dirty: Wear old clothes, bring swimwear and a towel, and cover your nose and mouth with a scarf or bandana.
• The swim stop breaks up the drive: Halfway through, you can swim in the river if conditions allow and rinse off some mud.
• Hotel transfers are included: Pickup and drop-off cover Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Titreyengöl, and Kadriye, usually from the main hotel security gate.
• The tour suits older children and adults: Children under 16 may sit beside the driver, but only people aged 16 and over can drive.

What the four-hour adventure is really like

This is an active half-day outing rather than a quiet sightseeing trip. The advertised route covers 20 kilometers, but the day also includes transportation, a briefing, getting the group organized, a swim stop, and time at the activity base. Actual driving time can land around 90 minutes to two and a half hours, depending on the group and the day.

That distinction matters. If you book this expecting four straight hours behind the wheel, you may feel short-changed. If you see it as a four-hour excursion with a substantial off-road ride, a river stop, and transfers, the price makes more sense.

The route begins in or near Köprülü Canyon National Park, roughly 30 to 45 minutes from Side for many pickups. The canyon area provides the setting, but this is not a sightseeing drive with regular photo stops. You are there to operate a buggy, follow the guide, and enjoy the changing track.

The pace can vary with group size. A small group may move more quickly, while a larger group means more pauses and more waiting at the start. One reported problem involved a delayed hotel pickup, so it is sensible to stay at the designated security gate and keep your phone available on the morning of the tour.

From Side hotels to the Köprüçay River

Pickup is available in 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. Turkish hotels generally do not allow tour vehicles inside their grounds, so this detail is easy to miss and worth taking seriously.

The transfer is in an air-conditioned bus. Some buses may feel cramped, especially around the legroom, and several hotel stops can stretch the journey. On the other hand, the included transport saves you from arranging a taxi to a remote activity base.

The drive is part of the practical trade-off. From Side, you can expect around 30 to 45 minutes to reach the riding area, although the full transfer time depends on pickups. One bus breakdown was replaced within minutes by another vehicle, but that is not a reason to arrive late or assume the schedule will be exact.

Once you arrive, you will receive a short briefing on operating the buggy and following the guide. The staff speak English, German, and Russian. Safety instructions are not just a formality here, since the route includes turns, uneven ground, water, dust, and other vehicles moving in the same convoy.

Getting comfortable in the buggy

The buggies are built for straightforward recreational driving, not technical off-road racing. You receive a helmet and learn the basic controls before joining the route. The guides lead the group and keep the activity organized, which helps the ride feel controlled even when the track becomes muddy.

The first section is described as a 10-kilometer drive along the river, followed by the break and a final section that completes the advertised 20-kilometer route. The wording around the distance is not perfectly clear, and the time behind the wheel can vary. Some outings have lasted about 90 minutes, while others have reached two hours or more.

You normally stay with the group rather than setting your own pace. It is not a free-for-all, and overtaking can create safety problems. One useful tip from the ride experience is to choose a buggy toward the back if you prefer more room to slow down and catch up, but you should still follow the guide’s instructions and never pass recklessly.

The driving itself is the main attraction. You steer through bends, rough patches, mud, and shallow river sections while the buggy throws dirt in every direction. It is a simple thrill, but an effective one. You do not need advanced driving skills, though you should be comfortable handling a motor vehicle on uneven ground.

The mud, dust, and water are part of the deal

Do not wear anything you want to use again at dinner. Even on a dry day, dust covers your clothes and face. After rain, the route can become a wet, muddy ride, and you may return soaked as well as dirty.

The most useful packing list is:

• Old shorts or trousers and a shirt you do not mind ruining
• Sunglasses or, better, protective goggles
• A scarf or bandana to cover your nose and mouth
• Swimwear
• A towel
• Closed, sturdy shoes that can handle mud
• A plastic bag for wet clothing

Goggles deserve special attention. Several people found ordinary sunglasses inadequate because dust gets around the sides and makes it hard to see. You can buy goggles and face coverings at the base, but bringing your own can save time and money.

A scarf helps with dust, although it may become wet and dirty. The supplied helmet is included, but extra equipment such as goggles, masks, bandanas, sunglasses, and suitable shoes is not. Food and drinks are also not included, though basic refreshments and a small amount of hot food may be available at the activity base.

The river swim halfway through

The swim stop is a welcome pause rather than a separate river excursion. You can cool down, rinse off some mud, and rest your hands before returning to the buggies. It also gives anyone who is less interested in nonstop driving a natural break in the action.

Bring a swimsuit and towel if you want to enter the water. The tour information specifically notes that swimming is optional, so you can remain out of the river if you prefer. Conditions may be more appealing in the warmer months, while spring and autumn weather can make the water feel less inviting.

This stop is one reason the outing works well for families and mixed groups. A strong driver can enjoy the ride, while another person can treat the break as a chance to cool off and take photographs. However, do not expect a long beach-style rest. The group needs to continue on schedule.

Changing drivers during the stop is not generally allowed. That can disappoint couples or parents who hoped to split the driving time, but the restriction is linked to keeping the group organized and avoiding extra movement around the vehicles. If two people want equal time behind the wheel, check the current operator rules before booking.

Returning through Köprülü Canyon National Park

After the swim, you continue along the final part of the route. The scenery comes from the river corridor, trees, canyon surroundings, and rough track rather than from formal viewpoints. You will see the area at ground level, with mud on the tires and dust in the air.

That makes the experience different from a standard canyon coach trip. You get less explanation about geology, wildlife, or local history, but more direct contact with the setting. The guide’s job is mainly to lead and supervise the group, not to provide a long nature talk.

The activity can feel more exciting after rain because the mud becomes deeper and water splashes higher. Dry weather brings more dust. Neither condition is cleaner, so choose your clothing for the possibility of both.

Photographs are taken during the ride, often at points where the group pauses. Back at the base, you can look through the pictures and buy them or a DVD if you wish. They are optional, and the extra cost is not included in the $42 price. The action shots can be a good souvenir because taking photographs while driving is neither practical nor safe.

Is $42 good value?

At $42 per person, this is a strong-value half-day outing if you want an activity rather than a polished sightseeing tour. The price includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guide, a helmet, and the 20-kilometer buggy experience. You are also paying for access to a remote activity area without having to arrange your own transport.

The value is best for people who would otherwise pay separately for a taxi, equipment, and an outdoor activity. It is less compelling if you mainly want a long, leisurely drive or a full day in the national park.

Budget a little extra for goggles, a face covering, food, drinks, and photographs if you want them. The activity base is an isolated setting, but prices for these extras have been described as reasonable rather than aggressive. Still, bring your own goggles and scarf if you already have suitable ones.

The published rating of 4.6 from 744 reviews suggests a consistently popular experience, and the strongest praise centers on three things: the fun of driving, the friendly organization, and the sense of safety. The weaker points are also consistent: waiting around, cramped transfer vehicles, occasional pickup trouble, and uncertainty about how much time is spent actually driving.

Who should book this buggy safari?

I would recommend it to adults, couples, groups of friends, and families with older children who enjoy getting dirty and doing something physical. It also works well as a change from beach time, especially if you want a clear activity with a beginning, middle, and end.

Children under 16 can sit in the side seat, but they cannot drive. The minimum age rule excludes children under three, and the outing is not suitable for pregnant women or people with mobility impairments. Even for older children, you should consider how they handle noise, dust, heat, and a bumpy ride.

This is not the best pick for you if you dislike mud, cannot tolerate dust in your eyes, or want a calm nature tour. It is also a poor match if you need guaranteed exact timing, because hotel pickups and group movement can create delays.

The ride has been enjoyed in wet weather as well as summer heat. In rain, you may get soaked. In dry weather, you may be covered in dust. Either way, the correct attitude is to treat the mess as part of the attraction, not as a problem to be avoided.

Practical booking advice

Choose a pickup point carefully and wait at the main hotel security gate. If your hotel does not appear in the booking list, add it under special requests. Service can be arranged if the property falls within the operating area.

The activity offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. Starting times vary, so check availability for your date instead of assuming every day follows the same schedule.

Bring water and personal essentials, since food and drinks are not included. Pets are not allowed. Keep your phone and valuables protected from mud and water, and do not expect to keep clean during the ride.

Should you book it?

Book this tour if you want a lively, messy, good-value half-day and like the idea of driving beside the Köprüçay River rather than simply looking at it from a bus. The river swim, included transport, and action photos add useful variety to the ride.

Skip it if you want a quiet national park visit, a guaranteed four hours of driving, or a spotless outfit at the end. For everyone else, bring goggles, old clothes, swimwear, and a towel. With those basics sorted, the River Quad Safari buggy tour offers a memorable way to see Köprülü Canyon National Park at close range.

FAQ

How long does the buggy safari take?

The advertised duration is four hours, including pickup, transfer, briefing, riding, the swim stop, and return transport. Actual buggy driving may last around 90 minutes to two and a half hours, depending on the group and schedule.

How far do you drive?

The experience is advertised as a 20-kilometer buggy route. The first section is described as 10 kilometers along the river, followed by a break and a further section.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are available from hotels in Side, Kumköy, Çolaklı, Gündoğdu, Titreyengöl, and Kadriye. You meet the vehicle at the main security gate, not inside the hotel lobby.

Can children drive the buggies?

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

What should I bring?

Bring sunglasses or goggles, swimwear, a towel, and a scarf or bandana. Wear old clothing and suitable shoes because the route can be dusty, muddy, and wet.

Are food, drinks, photos, and extra equipment included?

No. Food, drinks, goggles, masks, bandanas, sunglasses, suitable shoes, DVDs, and photos are not included. Helmets and the guided buggy ride are included.