Dust is the one thing you can count on
The route runs over forest tracks and dusty open ground in the Aspendos countryside, along the Köprüçay river. Whichever route you ride, 18 km or 28 km, you will come back with dust on your clothes, your arms, your face and quite probably in your hair.
Sitting in a buggy does not change that. Driver and passenger sit side by side in a tubular frame, and the dust thrown up by the machine ahead and by your own wheels reaches both seats. Following another machine means riding through the cloud it leaves behind.
None of this is a problem if you dress for it. Dust is simply part of an off-road ride, and it is exactly what makes the safari different from a clean drive on tarmac.
Mud and river sections: possible, never promised
The course also has shallow river sections and, when conditions allow, muddy stretches. Whether there is mud on your day depends on the state of the ground, so we never promise it. Equally, do not count on staying dry.
The river sections are shallow crossings ridden on the buggy. Water can splash up onto your shoes and legs, but how much varies from one day to the next, and we guarantee neither a water level nor a splash.
If you are hoping for a properly muddy ride, keep your expectations open; if you are hoping to stay spotless, plan for the opposite.
Clothes and shoes that can take it
Treat whatever you wear as clothes you are happy to see dirty. Old or simply comfortable things are best. Shorts and a T-shirt work well, but skip anything white, which shows every speck of dust.
Leave jewellery and anything precious at the hotel. On this ride, older is better than newer.
- old or comfortable clothes, nothing white or delicate
- proper closed shoes that may get dusty or wet
- no flip-flops or slippers, which are not recommended for the ride
- a bandana or dust mask you bring yourself, for cover over nose and mouth
- your own sunglasses, if you have a pair
Eyes and face: what comes with the ride
Of all the protective kit, only the helmet comes with the ride.
Goggles are not part of the fare. If you want a pair, they are sold at the base, so you can decide on the day itself.
Nor does the fare cover a dust mask or a bandana. Bring your own for nose and mouth; a plain bandana or a washable scarf will do.
Sunglasses also help against the dust, so pack yours if you have them.
Phones and photos
Photos and videos are not included in the safari, so any pictures you want will come from your own phone. Dust and splashes are hard on phones, which makes it worth thinking about where yours travels.
If you are riding as the passenger, hold the phone firmly or leave it zipped away. A phone dropped on a dirt track is easy to lose and hard to find again.
- a zipped pocket or a small sealed bag keeps most of the dust out
- never handle a phone while you are driving
- anything you cannot afford to get dusty stays at the hotel
The ride back to your hotel
You return to the hotel by the same transfer, still wearing whatever you rode in. A few small things make that journey more comfortable:
Back at the hotel, head for the shower before the pool. If you have plans for the evening, such as dinner out, leave yourself time to change first rather than going on straight from the drop-off.
- a spare T-shirt in a bag, so you have something clean with you
- a small towel or wet wipes for hands and face
- a plastic bag for dusty clothes or wet shoes