Are Bush Planes in Tanzania Worth It? Cost, Safety, and What It’s Really Like

We did not go all in on one style. We did both a fly-in and drive-in safari during our epic 8-day Tanzania itinerary.

• Drove with a private guide from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Ngorongoro Crater for a fantastic 2-night stay at Craters Edge
• Flew from Lake Manyara airstrip to Seronera airstrip in the Serengeti
• Flew from Seronera airstrip to Arusha Airport, enjoyed several hours in Arusha as a stopover, and then headed back to JRO

I loved that we drove first.

The road to Ngorongoro gave us a real look at Tanzania.

Towns, roadside fruit stands, motorbikes, school uniforms, Maasai tending their cows. It grounded the whole experience.

There is another huge advantage to driving that people do not talk about enough.

When you go through a reputable tour company and drive between parks, you typically have the same private guide for the entire experience.

If you get a great guide, that is invaluable.

Over several days, you build a real relationship.

They learn what animals you are most excited about. They understand if you are patient and want to sit at a lion sighting for an hour or if you prefer to keep moving. There is a rhythm that develops. Inside jokes. Shared excitement.

A kind of camaraderie that makes the safari deeply personal.

That continuity is something you give up when you fly between camps and switch guides in different regions.

We went at the end of green season in May, and the idea of a 3 to 4 hour muddy drive from the crater into the Serengeti did not sound appealing. So we chose to fly into the Serengeti instead and then fly back.

For us, the combo was perfect. Drive first. Fly later.

Not sure which approach is right for your trip? I break it all down in my fly vs. drive safari guide.

This was my biggest concern.

I researched obsessively before we left. I looked into Auric Air and Coastal Air since they are two of the most established safari carriers.

Even high-end camps like Asilia use them regularly, which made me feel better.

We ended up flying with Auric Air.

Here is what stood out:

• Operating since 2001
• Two professional pilots on board
• Clear luggage weighing and manifest system
• Good safety record
• Maintains the ISSA (IATA Safety Standard Assessment) certification

Both of our flights were surprisingly smooth. No dramatic turbulence. No stomach dropping moments. Just steady flying over endless plains.

Small does not mean unsafe. These pilots fly these safari routes daily.

We got to the Lake Manyara airstrip around 10 am for our 11 am flight and ended up being the first tourists there.

As soon as we walked in, they weighed our bags. And yes, they really do weigh them.

Important note: Auric Air’s 44 lb baggage limit includes everything. Clothes, shoes, camera gear, all of it.

We had our personal snorkeling gear from our amazing action-packed week in the Seychelles, which definitely would have pushed us over.

Savio was our private guide from Pristine Trails.

He drove us from Kilimanjaro Airport to Ngorongoro Crater and spent a full day guiding us there. He kindly kept our extra gear until the end of the trip, when we met up with him again in Arusha.

Absolute lifesaver.

After we weighed in, they handed us a very official boarding pass labeled “Plane 2,” lol.

Our lodge at Ngorongoro Crater, Wilderness Collection Craters Edge, had packed us to go lunches, so we sat in the small waiting area eating sandwiches and watching the runway.

At 11:25 am, we walked out to the plane, a Cessna Grand Caravan EX (upgraded model with a more powerful engine).

The plane layout was 1 by 2 seating.

With 12 passengers total, it was cozy. We boarded front to back and ended up in the second row. It is a bit squishy when you walk down the aisle, and you do have to squeeze past a few seats to get settled.

I secretly wanted the front seat by the pilot. I love seeing what they see. Maybe next time.

Here is what surprised me:

• The interior was nicer than expected
• It was not hot
• There were small air vents overhead
• Seats were compact but comfortable for a short flight

It is loud, but not painfully loud. You can still talk.

No bathrooms onboard, so definitely go before boarding.

We took off at 11:37 am and landed at 12:15 pm on a dirt strip. Less than 40 minutes.

And the views! 

You could see animals from the sky. Actual herds.

At one point we saw part of the Great Migration moving across the plains. It felt unreal seeing it from above.

It felt like an extension of the safari, not just transportation.

Seeing the Serengeti from the air also made the differences between the regions even clearer, which I talk about more in my Serengeti vs. Ngorongoro Crater comparison.

This tiny plane adventure now joins our other memorable flight experiences, like taking a seaplane in the Maldives and landing in Saba on what is known as the world’s shortest commercial runway!

After our time at Namiri Plains and Dunia Camp in the Serengeti, we arrived at Seronera airstrip at 10 am for our 11 am flight to Arusha.

This time we received a color coded boarding pass. Ours was orange.

Boarded at 10:35 am. Took off at 10:49 am. Yep, we left early! Landed at 11:38 am.

Again, smooth.

Again, surprisingly comfortable.

Again, second row.

One day I will get that first row seat, haha.

Arusha Airport is much larger than Seronera or Lake Manyara.

Savio was waiting for us, snorkeling gear in hand, ready for us to repack before our flight.

We spent a little time shopping and eating in Arusha before our drive to the international airport.

It felt seamless.

Here are the big points to know about the luggage:

• All bags are accepted according to Auric Air’s website, but soft-sided bags are recommended.  Max size: 35 ” x 25″ x 13″
• The 44 lb limit with Auric Air includes everything, including camera gear
• Yes, they weigh your bags in front of you

I used my soft-sided Travelpro bag and had zero issues. It does not have to be a duffel.

If you are combining multiple destinations like we did, coordinate with your safari company about storing excess items. Savio holding our snorkeling gear made the whole plan possible.

Here is what we paid:

• Lake Manyara to Seronera was around $200 per person
• Seronera to Arusha was around $280 per person

Prices vary by route, but that gives you a realistic ballpark. Here are their 2026 routes and rates.

You can absolutely book online. Auric Air has a very easy booking system on their website.

We chose to book through our tour operator, Pristine Trails, just to keep everything seamless and coordinated with camp transfers. For us, it was worth not having to think about timing or logistics.

Here is my honest take.

Driving between parks like Ngorongoro and the Serengeti lets you see local life. I would not skip at least one long drive. It connects you to the country in a different way.

But flying:

• Saves hours
• Reduces fatigue
• Avoids rough or muddy roads
• Adds an incredible aerial perspective

For us, the combo was perfect.

Drive first. Fly later.

Flying into the Serengeti gave us more time for game drives and less time bouncing around in a vehicle. And flying out at the end meant we did not spend our final safari day on a long transfer.

If you’re planning a trip that includes the crater, I share more detailed tips in my Ngorongoro Crater Safari Guide.

Do animals ever run onto the runway?
Wildlife can wander near airstrips, but pilots and ground staff check the runway before landing and takeoff.

Are bush planes air conditioned?
Ours had small air vents and felt comfortable, even late morning.

How many seats are on a safari plane?
Ours carried 12 passengers plus two pilots in a 1 by 2 layout, though aircraft can vary.

Do bush flights get delayed often?
Ours ran nearly on schedule both times. Weather or multiple stops can cause small delays.

Can you book bush flights yourself?
You can, but most people book through their safari operator (like we did) to coordinate timing and luggage. 

Can you plan a safari without tiny connecting flights?
Yes. You can absolutely drive between parks. It just takes more time and flexibility.

I was nervous about bush planes in Tanzania. I had built them up in my head as this dramatic, slightly terrifying thing.

They were not.

They were organized, professional, and surprisingly comfortable. And flying over the Serengeti is something I will never forget.

If your budget allows it, at least one bush flight during your safari is worth it!

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Questions about our Tanzania bush plane experience?

Let me know in the comments below!