What to wear for a buggy safari in Side: the short answer
Dress as if you were going to help a friend clear out a garage, not as if you were heading to a beach bar. Along the 18 km you meet forest tracks, dirt roads, dust and rutted stretches, cross a few small streams, stop for water splashes and, when conditions allow, hit mud. Whatever you wear will come back looking used.
Nobody minds, and the operator's own advice reflects that: old clothes, comfortable outdoor clothing, closed shoes or sports shoes, darker colours, and something clean to change into afterwards if you like.
Clothes: old, comfortable and not white
Pick clothes you can move in and sit in for a while. You will climb in and out of the buggy, sit through bumps and lean into the odd bend, so anything tight, stiff or fussy gets annoying quickly. A T-shirt or light top with shorts or trousers works for most people.
Colour matters more than you might expect. Fine dust settles on fabric and mud splashes leave marks, and on white or pale clothing both show up immediately and may not wash out completely. Dark colours hide most of it. If you have a favourite holiday outfit, leave it at the hotel for dinner.
Shoes: closed, with a proper sole
Footwear is the one point to get right. Closed shoes or trainers are recommended, whereas flip-flops are not suitable for this sort of driving: they slip off, they give no feel for the pedals and they offer your feet nothing when you step out onto rough ground at a stop.
This applies to passengers as well as drivers, since everyone walks around the base and steps out of the buggy during the day. Old trainers are ideal. They may not be quite the same colour when you get them back.
What is provided, and what is sold at the base
You do not need to bring any protective gear of your own. The helmet comes at no extra charge and stays on throughout the safari. The briefings, the vehicle explanation and the practice drive are all part of the programme too.
Two items are not included but can be bought at the base: goggles and a bandana. Many guests find them useful against the dust, especially on dry days, but they are optional extras rather than a requirement. We do not quote prices for them here, because none has been published; you simply pay for them on the spot if you want them.
After the ride: changing cabins and showers
Changing cabins and showers are available at the base, so you do not have to sit in the return transfer covered in dust. A small bag with a towel and a clean change of clothes is enough to feel human again before you head back to your hotel.
Bring a plastic bag for the dirty things too. It keeps the rest of your bag clean and saves you from unpacking a cloud of dust in your hotel room.
A simple packing list
Everything below fits in one small bag. Drivers should add their ID, since registration staff use it to confirm age.
- old T-shirt or light top in a dark colour
- shorts or trousers you do not mind spoiling
- closed shoes or trainers, no flip-flops
- towel and a clean set of clothes for after the shower
- a spare carrier bag for whatever comes back filthy
- your ID if you are driving
- some money if you want goggles, a bandana, food, drinks or photos from the base team
Getting ready on the morning of your safari
Get dressed for the ride before the transfer arrives, since you travel to the base in the clothes you will drive in. Your hotel pickup time is confirmed with the booking and is earlier than the departure time you chose, so have your bag packed and your shoes on a little before then.
If you have long hair, tie it back so the helmet sits properly. Plan on roughly 4–4.5 hours door to door, covering everything from the shuttle and sign-in to both briefings and practice, and pack for that half day rather than for a full day out.
What not to bring or wear
Leave white outfits, brand-new clothes and anything delicate at the hotel. Skip flip-flops, sandals with loose straps and anything whose muddy fate would spoil your day. Long scarves or loose dangling items are best left behind as well, since the bandana sold at the base does the job of keeping dust off your face. If you are unsure whether something is suitable, send a quick photo or question to +90 536 603 75 84 on WhatsApp before the day.