Auric Air: A Hot Take... Literally 🔥

Flying from the Serengeti to Zanzibar sounded like an adventure—soaring over the African landscape in a small aircraft, catching epic views of the savanna before landing on a tropical island. I imagined it would be like something out of a National Geographic documentary. What I didn’t expect? A tiny, toasty, turbulence-tickled journey where hydration became a fantasy and shade was just a distant dream.

Picture Source: Auric Air

Expectation vs. Reality

I knew it was going to be a small plane but it did end up being bigger than I thought! The aircraft had about 12 rows, a 2x2 seating configuration, and propellers—which, let’s be honest, always add a little extra drama to any flight experience. We were already running 40 minutes behind schedule, but delays in Africa are basically a given, so no biggie. What was a biggie?

🚫 No A/C
🚫 No water service (at least on the first leg)
🚫 No escape from the HOT. HEAVY. AIR.

DIY Air Conditioning & The Arusha Shuffle

We spent most of the first flight fanning ourselves with the safety guide, because, ironically, that was the only thing providing any kind of relief. It was an hour-long ride to Arusha, but it felt like we were trapped inside a microwave on defrost mode. When we landed, we were told to deplane and then immediately reboard the exact same aircraft. Because that makes sense.

At least there was a slight breeze on the tarmac, but before we could cool down, we were herded like zebras right back into our sky sauna. Same plane, different seats... but new passengers, which brings me to my greatest stroke of luck.

The Great Headphone Heist 🎧

In my heat-induced haze, I had totally left my headphones in the seat pocket after the first flight. And guess what? The kids now sitting in my old row never even checked! I don’t blame em, you never know what you’ll find in a seat pocket which is why it’s a great podcast segment! So, like a sneaky lil ninja, I casually reached over and retrieved my precious lifeline to sanity. Small victories.

Arusha to Zanzibar: The Final Scorcher

The second leg to Zanzibar was still brutal, but at least this time, the flight attendants graced us with water and a tiny pack of nuts. Hydration had never tasted so refreshing. Even the woman in front of us—who had been relatively chill—finally broke and started shouting about the oppressive heat. 

Final Verdict?

Would I fly Auric Air again? Ehhhhhh. I mean, the route is convenient, the views were stunning, and let’s be real—most regional flights in East Africa are going to be some level of "spicy." But if you're hopping on this particular journey, consider this your official survival guide:

✔️ Bring water (or steal some from a luxury lodge beforehand—no judgment)
✔️ Dress light… like, desert expedition light
✔️ Accept that air conditioning is a fantasy
✔️ Double-check your seat pocket before deplaning (unless you enjoy high-stakes retrieval missions)

So, would I call Auric Air a five-star luxury airline? No. But would I call it an unforgettable travel story? Absolutely.