Barafu Flying Safaris · Handbook
The Fly-In Safari Handbook
Everything we tell guests before their first bush flight: how the flights work, what to pack, which airstrip to use each month, and when flying is worth it.
How bush flights work
A fly-in safari joins parks with short flights on small aircraft instead of long drives. Most flights leave Arusha Airport (ARK) in the morning and land on gravel airstrips inside or beside the parks. Your guide and vehicle wait at the airstrip, so the game drive starts as soon as you land.
There are two ways to fly. Scheduled flights are shared and run on fixed daily routes, sometimes stopping at several airstrips. Private charters fly only your party, directly, on your timetable.
A third option sits between the two: premium set-departure flights in executive-configured aircraft with fewer, larger seats and a higher luggage allowance, around 23 kg on some services. We'll tell you when one fits your route.
Barafu doesn't operate aircraft. We book licensed Tanzanian airlines and charter operators and build your ground journey around the flights.
Packing for 15 kg
Most scheduled bush flights allow 15 kg per person including hand luggage, in a soft bag without wheels or a frame. The bag has to fit into the aircraft's small hold. Limits vary by airline, and yours are confirmed on your tickets.
Camps do laundry, usually daily, so a few changes of neutral clothing are enough. Leave the rest of your luggage with us or at your Arusha hotel. If you travel with heavy camera equipment, we can buy an extra seat.
Soft-bag checklist
- Soft duffel, no wheels or frame
- 15 kg total, hand luggage included
- Binoculars and camera in a small daypack
- Layers: mornings are cold, afternoons hot
- Neutral colours (no dark blue or black in tsetse areas)
- Passport and printed tickets in your hand luggage
Airstrips by season
Which airstrip, which month
The Serengeti is huge, and the right airstrip depends on where the animals are. These are the ones we use most.
| Airstrip | Area | Why go | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seronera (SEU) | Central Serengeti | Resident lion, leopard and cheetah all year | All year; migration Apr–Jun, Nov |
| Ndutu | Southern Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation Area | Wildebeest calving and the predators that follow | Dec–Mar (peak Feb) |
| Kogatende | Northern Serengeti, Mara River | Migration river crossings | Jul–Oct |
| Kirawira and Grumeti | Western corridor | Herds crossing the Grumeti River | Around Jun |
| Kuro | Tarangire, a short flight from Arusha | Big elephant herds on the river | Jun–Oct |
| Lake Manyara (LKY) | Manyara and the Ngorongoro highlands | Gateway to the crater | All year |
Fly or drive?
What flying saves
Approximate times. Road times vary with season and stops.
| Route | By air | By road |
|---|---|---|
| Arusha → central Serengeti | about 1 h 15 min | about 7–8 h |
| Arusha → northern Serengeti | about 2 h | 1–2 days |
| Serengeti → Zanzibar | a few hours, one stop | not practical |
| Dar es Salaam → Ruaha | a few hours | about 10 h |
Road safaris are a wonderful way to see Tanzania when you have time. Our sister company Trailheads Safaris runs them in every park.
Questions about flying
How much luggage can I take on a bush flight?
Most scheduled bush flights allow 15 kg per person including hand luggage, packed in a soft bag without wheels or a frame. Limits vary by airline and route, and yours are confirmed on your tickets. If you need more, we can buy an extra seat or store the rest in Arusha until you return.
Are the flights shared with other travellers?
Scheduled bush flights are shared small aircraft and may land at several airstrips on the way. A private charter flies only your party, directly.
What aircraft are used?
Mostly single-engine turboprops such as the Cessna Caravan, with around 12 seats, flown by licensed Tanzanian airlines. Barafu books the flights; it does not operate aircraft.
What happens if weather delays a flight?
Bush flights fly in daylight and weather can delay them. We never plan a tight connection between a bush flight and an international flight, and your guide or our Arusha office rearranges the day if a flight moves.
Can children fly on bush flights?
Yes. Children fly on the same luggage terms as adults. Some camps set minimum ages for walking safaris, and we check this when we plan.
Is a flying safari worth the extra cost?
Flights replace long drives. Arusha to the central Serengeti is about 1 hour 15 minutes by air and a full day by road. On a short trip, flying gives you travel days into days in the park.
Ready to fly?
Tell us your dates and we'll route the flights around the season.