Ilmaasai Expedition
- Located In:
- Size:
- 5-10 employees (Founded in 2004)
- Member Of:
- TTB, TALA, KPA & TANAPA
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $160 to $750 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
Reviews
FR
Email Lodoé Fink | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Safari Tarangire / Ngorongoro
Thanks to Colin for organizing this safari and his warm welcome at the airport in the company of Loth, an extreme driver 🤩 We spent two exceptional days in the company of our guide and Loth who did everything so that we could see as many animals as possible.
It will remain an unforgettable experience. Thank you to the 3 of them for making this trip memorable and thank you to them for their humor, humanity and kindness. We will recommend to our entourage without hesitation 😍
(automatic translation from French)
DE
Email Tom | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable safari adventure
4 Day Safari with Ilmaasai Expedition Tanzania!
We recently did a 4 day safari in Tanzania with Ilmaasai Expedition Tanzania and it was an unforgettable experience! Catherine helped us plan everything smoothly and both she and Collin were there to personally greet us at the airport.
Before taking us to our hotel, they assisted us in purchasing a SIM card and exchanging money in Arusha.
Our safari started the next day in Tarangire National Park where we were guided by Loth, an incredibly knowledgeable and experienced wildlife guide with over 25 years of experience. On the second and third days we explored the legendary Serengeti National Park and stayed at the Tanzania Bushcamps tented lodge. The lodge was beautifully located in the middle of the Serengeti and we even heard lions roaring and hyenas calling at night - such an exciting and unforgettable experience!
On the fourth day we visited the stunning Ngorongoro Crater where we enjoyed incredible wildlife sightings.
Here we spotted zebras, wildebeests, buffalos, jackals and much more.
In the evening Loth and Collin took us back to the airport for our departure.
Loth was a fantastic, thoughtful driver and guide. He showed us everything we wanted to see: lions, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, elephants and more! Collin was also an excellent guide, friendly, knowledgeable and always ready to help.
If you are planning a safari, we recommend Ilmaasai Expedition Tanzania. This team really goes out of their way to give you a fantastic experience
(automatic translation from German)
DE
Email Tilo | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Reliable, flexible and animal and nature loving
A great help for a stress-free tour through the reserves. Excellent knowledge of the animals and takes time for the most beautiful encounters. We did the tours with tent nights and were well cooked and guided reliably, friendly and patiently through the reserves - again and again amazing how cleverly the animals were tracked down and the best viewing angle was found and chosen. The tour was never shortened, but rather flexibly aligned with our wishes and needs. A tour operator who loves the reserves and the animals and enjoys it when it goes the same way. What luck.
DE
Email Anika & Tobi | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Outstanding combination of professionality and personality that made or tour an amazing experience
We enjoyed an incredibly great time with our hosts Loth, Collin and Pius. Friends have recommended us the provider and we had in advance super good and binding contact with Catherine via mail from Germany - what followed after arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport was simply a dream. Loth as a driver knows incredibly well in the national parks and has a wealth of knowledge about each animal. The typical tanzanian food was great, the evenings with the team at campsites perfectly social. We are so happy to have chosen such a personal safari company. Thank you for everything!
ES
Email Nuria Mañá | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
The best experience of our lives thanks to the amazing Ilmaasai company
The complete experience was perfect. The price they gave us included everything they had promised us, there were no subsequent surprises and the entire safari was perfectly organized and with wonderful attention.
Catherine, the customer contact person, helped us throughout the hiring process and gave us many facilities for payment and for choosing different hotel options and plans. In addition, she came to welcome us to the airport with the dirver and she was taking care of us at all times and helped us to manage with the airline the shipment of our bags that arrived a day later when we were already in the middle of the safari.
Benny, our guide, is an excellent professional and the best driver we have ever seen. His knowledge about the parks and all the species of animals made the safari a spectacular experience. He had a lot of patience with all our requests when sighting animals during the safari and was friendly and affectionate at all times.
The hotels were even better than we expected and the value for money was more than reasonable.
They are totally recommended!
ES
Email Guillem Folch | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great experience
We did a 9 days safari with them and we would like to recommend Ilmaasai Expedition. We were traveling with our kids and specially with our daughter (10 years old) who is celiac. Our guide Bryson had a lot of experience and is a really professional guide and give us good advises and information during all the safari and also later. Osman was the cook who was taking care about the special diet od our daughter. The staff in Arusha, Catherine and his father Loth were always willing to help us. Really good experience with them. Asante sana.
DE
Email Bibi and Markus | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Uncredible journey!!!
Dear Loth, we are now back from our 12 day-safari with your company and we are still enthusiastic about the experience! Brison and Osman were a harmoniously and very efficient team, so patiently and they both have a big knowledge about Tanzania and its nature and wildlife. They are calm in every situation and made us feeling safe and protected. Osman spoilt us every day with go od and plentiful food and when we needed something else it was never a problem for him.
Observing other guides on the campgrounds we could value the big experience that Brison has on safaris as he was tireless and the most important thing for him was always our safety and comfortable stay. Every day he cleaned the car and the windows, he controlled the engine and the wheels and in case of problems he managed them all.
We felt as in a family, they are respectful and we enjoyed very much every day.
We also enjoyed the contact with you before coming to Tanzania, all your informations were helpful and we were so happy that you managed the appointment to share a morning in Loamo school in Arusha - a beautiful experience we will never forget!
So, thank you so much for everything, we came to Tanzania as strangers but we leave as friends! Asanthe sana to Ilmaasai.
JP
Email Naoki Wada | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Safari in my life time
I had an amazing camping Safari！
When I choose a safari company from so many companies, it was very difficult for me.
In Japan, we have few reliable imformation.
Then, I found a book written by Ms.Takeda named "marumaru safari" and"ilmaasai" was recommended in that book.
I checked the company with TATO, safaribookings etc, and I convinced it is a trustworthy company.
I booked 7days group joining camping Safari by one person, and "ilmaasai" arranged according to the request schedule perfectly. Managing director Loth is very gentle, reliable person, and he was very kind to me in Tanzania.
On the safari tour, guiding, driving, cooking, and camping etc. were perfect.
I saw more things than I wanted to see.
Safari was as impressive as I went to Jurassic Park, and I was so excited.
I hope more Japanese will go to Tanzania and enjoy amazing safari with ilmaasai.
Thank you so much Loth and Catherine!
UA
Email Anna | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
You get just what you expect from tour organized by Ilmaasai Expedition and a bit more.
That was just a great experience we (my boyfriend and I) got with the help of Ilmaasai Expedition, or rather Loth (organizer and owner) and David (driver and guide). Guys met us at the airport and right after this went to safari.
David was telling a lot of interesting things about animals and not only. We were able to see a lion female, hunted a gazelle, in the first day. And in the second day we met 2 lions males, one of them was sleeping in the bushes just in 1-2 meters from our car - that was incredible!
After day of safari we spent evenings in a lodge, David was telling us a lot of amazing stories from his previous safaris, showed rare videos with animals.
In the end guys were very kind to take us to our hotel in Arusha and to the airport next morning.
So everything went just great. We're looking forward to go to safari again, this time - to Serengeti!
DE
Email Sebastian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Pure Magic!
We (couple, German, between 27 and 31) did the 5 days / 4 nights Safari with Ilmaasai. The destinations and accomdations were:
1. Tarangire National Park, rest at Fig Resort
2. Lake Manyara, rest at Fig Resort
3. Ngororo Crater, rest at Simba campsite
4. Serengeti National Park, rest at campsite
Our contacts were:
1. Loth for communications
2. Brayson as driver and mechanic
3. Osman as cook
WE HAD THE BEST TIME EVER! I will tell you my thoughts as they come out ;)
# the communications (reservation, payment issues, thousands of extra questions) with Loth worked perferctly! He always answered within little time and helped us a lot! He picked us up, took us to the hostel before the trip started and picked us up again next morning when the tour started. After the the safari he even brought us to Moshi.
# Brayson is a gentle person and a good driver and spotter for animals. He managed to show us four of the big five within 4 days (Rhinos missing due to windy conditions). We always felt safe driving around with him. He knows a lot about animals. Sometimes you have to ask him if you want to know stuff. Of course it is very exhausting for the driver to always have an eye on the road, watch out for Zebras and Gnus jumping over the street, spotting animals, answering questions... Be fair with him and he will do everything he can to make the trip special to you. You can tell that he is an experienced driver. He knew how to get the car in position for good fotos.
# Osman baffled us! How on earth he managed to serve us this awesome food in the middle of the Serengeti is beyond me. He is very friendly, helpful and a good spotter too. We miss his food!
# the accomodations at the Fig resorts are quite basic of course. Don't expect air conditions and Jacuzzis ;)
# the campsite at Ngorogoro was in good shape and a ranger kept an eye on the tent during night. Toilets and showers were okay.
# the campsite at Serengeti was okay too but worse than Ngorogoro. Toilets and showers were quite an experience. If possible you should avoid leaving the tent during the night (there were Pumbas and Hyenas close to the tents). Just be aware of the fact that you are sleeping in the wild! This is something you will never forget but be sure that this is what you want! If that sounds too cruel for you, better go to for a lodge...
# the tents were safe and closed 100%. No Mosquitos!
# only water was included. if you want Sprite, beer etc. for dinner you have to pay another 3000 TSH (= $1,50).
Things you should bring:
# toilet paper (!!!), goggles, Anti-Bite (Mosquitos and Tse-Tse-Flies ate me alive at Manyara), sun blocker, sun glasses, good camera with at least 250mm zoom, crackers for kids if you want, maybe an inlet for your sleeping bags, pants with zipper function, cap/hat, well loaded batteries for your cameras.
Summary:
I can strongly recommend this company. Everything was very professional. pleasant, reliable and fair. If I should come again, then I know who to call.
One last thing I'd like to add: Drivers and cooks get paid but we read in our books (unfortantely after the tour when it was too late) that you should tip them more generously than we did. Count in another $5 to $10 per person per day.
Safe travels and enjoy the ride.
Warm regards,
Sebastian