An honest starting point
Driving a buggy across forest tracks, dusty open ground and shallow river sections is a physical, bumpy activity. That is the point of it, and it also means it cannot be presented as risk-free. We would rather tell you how the ride is organised and who it suits than hand you a reassuring slogan.
We do not publish accident figures or safety statistics, and you should be wary of anyone who offers you a percentage. What we can describe precisely are the measures every guest goes through, from the moment the helmet goes on to the end of the route.
Most safety questions come down to three things: what happens before anyone drives, how the ride itself is controlled, and who should not take part. The sections below take them in that order. All of it happens on one private course in the Aspendos countryside along the Köprüçay river.
Briefing, test ride, then the route
Before anyone drives, the instructor gives a safety briefing at the base. It covers how the buggy is controlled and how the group moves on the course, so questions are best asked there rather than halfway along a track.
Then each driver goes through the test ride, which is compulsory regardless of experience and is a genuine check on handling the machine. Pass it and you drive. If you don't, or you decide against driving, your seat becomes the passenger one and you pay half of what a driver pays. No one is talked into steering.
Only after that does the convoy set off. Because the briefing and the test ride are built into the programme, they sit inside its 4–4.5 hours hotel to hotel rather than being an extra.
Riding in convoy behind the guide
On the route the buggies travel as a convoy behind the guide, and the guide sets the pace. You are not racing other guests or picking your own line across open land; you follow the vehicle in front along the course the guide leads.
This matters most for first-timers. You do not need to know the terrain in advance, because the guide chooses the line and the speed for the whole group.
Keep a sensible gap to the buggy ahead, especially where dust hangs in the air and visibility drops.
Passengers have a simpler job, but an important one: sit back, hold on, and stick to what the briefing asked of you, even when the driver beside you is busy with the track.
Helmet, frame and insurance
Each rider, whether driving or sitting alongside, is handed a helmet, and beyond that no protective equipment is supplied. You will not get goggles, a bandana or a dust mask with the ride; the base sells goggles if you want them, and you are welcome to bring your own mask or bandana.
Put the helmet on before the test ride and keep it fastened until the route is over. If it does not sit right, tell the instructor before you set off.
The buggy is built on a tubular frame, which you can see in our photos.
Every participant is covered by insurance included in the price. To find out what the cover includes, message us on WhatsApp before booking; Polish, Russian, German and English are all fine.
Who should not take part, or should think again
The ride is bumpy from start to finish, so in these cases we advise against it:
On the quad the passenger sits behind and has to hold on, which is why quad passengers need to be 8 or older; a buggy passenger, by contrast, rides right next to the driver.
The passenger seat is no gentler than the driving seat, so this advice applies to passengers just as much as to drivers. What counts is how your back, neck and general fitness cope with a ride that jolts from start to finish.
If you are unsure whether a health condition fits, ask before booking rather than on the day. Reserving is free, and you can cancel without charge up to 48 hours before.
- Pregnancy: not recommended
- Back or neck problems: not recommended
- Children under 4: not recommended, since holding on safely is difficult for a small child
Your part: shoes, attention and honesty
Wear closed shoes; flip-flops and slippers are no good on the pedals or for stepping out onto loose ground. Listen during the briefing, follow the guide's signals, and tell the instructor straight away if something feels wrong.
Be honest with yourself at the test ride too. Choosing the passenger seat is a perfectly good way to enjoy the same route.