Buggy and ATV safaris in Dubai: which to choose?

Dubai has many attractions that attract tourists from all over the world, such as the Burj Khalifa skyscraper, the Jumeirah Mosque, and man-made islands in the form of palm trees. There are paid and free beaches, comfortable hotels, as well as opportunities for good shopping.

However, many tourists are attracted by a safari in Dubai, because it allows you to get acquainted with amazing landscapes and special ecosystems of the Arabian Desert. This place is famous for its extreme climatic conditions, unique flora and fauna. In the morning here you can enjoy silence and relative coolness, and in the evening you can see a colorful and unusual sunset.

To go on a trip through the desert, you need to choose a mode of transportation. There are two options: buggies and quad bikes. About the pros and cons of each type of transportation, the cost of the trip and its peculiarities – read on.

What are the differences between buggies and ATVs

A trip on buggies and ATVs can give an amazing experience to lovers of outdoor activities. However, each type of transportation has its own peculiarities. We will tell you about them further.

What is a buggy
A buggy is a light motorized vehicle for off-road driving. It has wide wheels and usually an open cabin.

The buggy got its name due to the history of its creation. For the first time such a car appeared in the 1950s in America, when local craftsmen remodeled Volkswagen Beetle for off-road driving. In English, the word “bug” stands for bug, and the diminutive form of this word is spelled buggy.

Large wheels allow the buggy to move smoothly over uneven terrain, including in the desert. It is not difficult to drive such a vehicle. Usually tourists go on a trip together with friends or family.

In Dubai, it is possible to rent a buggy for one or a few hours or for a whole day. In most cases, basic insurance is available to travelers.

Design features of safari buggies

Important design features of a safari buggy:

1. A thick sheet iron bottom that allows you to ride comfortably on uneven roads.
2. Stable and sturdy frame. It provides support during rollovers, minimizing the risk of injury.
3. Four-point safety belts securing passengers and drivers in the seats.
4. Low center of gravity, as well as stability of the structure. This allows the buggy not to roll over in skids and smoothly pass through rollovers.
5. Impressive wheels with deep tread. Low-pressure chain rubber allows you to achieve good traction with the ground and comfortably move over bumps.

Types of buggies

There are different types of such vehicles. Touring buggies are popular with travelers. As a rule, they are more comfortable and lighter than utilitarian buggies, equipped with softer suspension and an open cockpit for viewing the terrain.

Some buggies have a safety cage. It is a steel structure that protects the crew in the event of an accident, such as a rollover, collision or off-roading. It also provides protection from rain and prevents a sideways roll.

In addition, buggies come in single-seat and two-seat configurations. Examples of two-seater buggies:

1. Polaris RZR. A line of sport buggies including two- and four-seat models with different equipment and power.
2. RM UTV 800 EPS. Domestic two-seater buggy from Russkaya Mekhanika. It is equipped with a shortened windshield, EPS and other options as standard.

Single-seater buggies are usually lightweight sports models designed for closed tracks. They are most often used in cross-country competitions.

Pros and cons of safari buggies

The pros of a buggy:

1. Safety. It is provided by the safety cage, seat belts and some other design features of the vehicle.
2. Comfort. The buggy is comfortable to ride, so it is optimal for long journeys.
3. Suitable for family outdoor activities. In the buggy, the child can be belted into the passenger seat.
4. Speed. The safari convoy buggy format allows you to move quite fast with a good level of safety.

Disadvantages of the buggy:

1. Open construction. Although the roof protects against likely precipitation, wind can still bring it in through an open windshield.
2. Injury hazard. The low seating level and open body do not ensure absolute safety of the crew members.

Who buggies are suitable for

Those who care about safety. Buggies equipped with a safety cage, multi-point belts and bumpers to protect the crew are suitable for those who think about their own safety and the safety of their loved ones.

Beginners, as they are comfortable to ride even on sandy ground, and buggies with additional options provide even more comfortable handling.

Fans of extreme sports, as they can reach high speeds that stimulate adrenaline release.

What are ATVs

Dune quad bikes are touring machines designed for comfortable riding on sandy terrain. They have good off-road capability and are equipped with wheels that provide good traction on the ground.

The world’s first three-wheeled ATV for traveling on dunes was produced in 1980 by Honda. The model was called Honda US90.

Design Features of Safari ATVs

Important design features of ATVs:

1. Powerful engines, usually 89-240 horsepower. They provide good cross-country ability even off-road and allow for high speeds.
2. Automatic transmission or variators. The models with manual transmission are less common. Its use is inexpedient when driving off-road.
3. Wheels. The tread pattern and tire width are responsible for the degree of immersion in soft ground, maneuverability and grip. As a rule, tires have symmetrical sipes for better traction.

Types of ATVs

For safaris, there are these ATV options:

1. Entry-level ATVs. They are easy to operate and maneuverable. They can carry not only the crew, but also food, water, and equipment.
2. ATVs with a large body and car-like seating. They have a cab with a roof, windshield, doors and comfortable seats.
3. Two-hundred-cubic-inch rear-wheel drive utilitarian ATVs. Let’s say the Linhai 200 D model, which is used for quad safaris at Quadrorancho.

Pros and cons of quad bikes for safaris

Pros of ATVs:

1. Passability. Lightweight ATVs pass well even on sandy terrain.
2. Maneuverability. Thanks to their small size, ATVs can bypass difficult road sections.
3. Ease of operation. To master the control of an ATV, serious physical training and skills are not required.

Minuses of ATVs:

1. Motorcycle seating. Passengers are sometimes not very comfortable sitting in an ATV, but there is the ability to shift body weight.
2. Limited carrying capacity. The towing capacity of ATVs is lower than that of buggies.

Who ATVs are suitable for

ATVs are more suitable for those who:

1. Likes a challenge as they allow them to traverse rough and challenging roads.
2. Plans to go around obstacles. ATVs have good maneuverability, which allows you to make tight turns.
3. Experienced travelers. ATVs require more driving skills on difficult terrains.

Comparison of safari prices and duration

The average cost of an ATV and buggy safari in Dubai depends on the program. For example, an extreme desert safari by buggy and ATV costs $250.00. Generally, an ATV ride is slightly cheaper than a buggy. It is better to check the exact cost on the website or by phone.

As for speed, ATVs move slower than buggies, which allows tourists to better explore the area.

What to consider before traveling

We recommend that you consider the following factors before traveling:

1. The driver’s level of training. This affects safety. The better prepared the driver is, the less likely he is to make mistakes. In any case, before riding buggies and ATVs there is a briefing.
2. Outfit Features. For a safari you should choose:
3. comfortable clothes made of natural fabrics with a minimum of details (preferably in neutral color);
4. comfortable sneakers, leather boots or shoes without heels (light trekking boots, sneakers with good soles for walking safaris are also suitable);
5. a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun;
6. a windbreaker if traveling in the morning or evening, as temperatures can drop dramatically in the evening hours, for example.

If the trip is planned for several days, it is better to take many sets of clothes and shoes. You should also take care of insect repellent, food and water. It is most convenient to put the equipment in a backpack.

• Safety measures. Here are the basic safety recommendations (we recommend you to study this point in detail before traveling).

So, we recommend that you:

• get out of the car only in specially designated places;
• do not make any sudden movements when observing animals;
• do not drive too close to animals and birds, do not feed them;
• be quiet around animals;
• choose neutral-colored clothing, as brightly colored clothing may scare the animals away;
• do not smoke during the safari, as even a small spark can start a fire;
• if traveling with children, do not leave them unattended;
• do not stray from the established route.

Conclusion

Whether to choose a buggy or an ATV depends on personal preferences. If you want to explore the area and do not have much safari experience, it is better to choose an entry-level ATV. For faster and more extreme rides, a buggy will do.