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
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
IT
Email Gaia | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very good experience!
My husband and I were on a three days safari in three different park, each one was different for plants but in all of these there was a lot of beautiful animals. Our guide was kind and respectful of animals, our chef cooked very very good dinner and breakfast for us (box lunch during safari not so good as the dinner). The lodge was basic but comfortable and the same for the jeep. We saw Big Five the second day in Ngorongoro Crater, but all three days were very exciting for us. Absolutely recommended!
BR
Email Luciana | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable Experience!
This company is absolutely amazing and has gained my absolute trust! It exceeded my expectations in delivering way more than what was hired. The guides were really polite and very professional. The accommodations during the safari were excellent! Loth gave me an excellent support, even through WhatsApp, and responded to my queries very promptly. Look forward to working with them again and definately reccommend Ilmaasai for any safaris in Tanzania.
JP
Email Tasuku Hirosawa | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Good chef, Excellent driver, Perfect manager, Best company!
I joined 3 days safari tour with my wife and two children. We could spend wonderful time because of Ilmaasai Expedition.
The manager, Mr.Loth is very kind. He helped us everything.
The driver is skillful. We could find a lot of animals.
The chef is very friendly. The meal was pretty nice.
All of them always think about my children. If I have a chance to visit Tanzania again, I must choose Ilmaasai Expedition.
JP
Email Kazuma Yoshioka | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
what more could you want?
In Tanzania the entrance fee of the national park is high. The tour fee itself of 200 dollars per day, when compared to various people, I think it is average. Mr. Driver and Mr. Guides had a lot of knowledge and Mr. Cook made a very delicious dish. They did a good job as an expert. As Masai, Mr. Praygod is proud of the Masai people's land and has passion for work. Moreover, he is sincere.
IT
Email Stefano | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
the Guys from Il Masai are nice and professional and the place you will visit with them are amazing
everything went perfectly. Since the firts approach by email Il Masai expedition turned out to be really professional and well organized. Once there they organized an incredible trip taking care of every details. Tha natural park I had the chance to visit are simply wonderful and the guide was really expert.
SE
Email Michaela | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Great guides, good value for money and world class safari!
The staff was incredible, dropping me off and picking me up and really sincwewöt caring that I got the best possible experience. Guide/chef were amazing, i think we had the best ones computer to other groups we met. Food was much better than expected. For this price what you get is really great!
MX
Email Jorge | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
3rd time and always amazing thanks guys !
It's been my 3rd time in Tanzania and with Ilmaasai, thanks guys for always being so kindly and take me to the best places on migration time, always i'll advise your services for its safety on board
Email Jose Jimenez | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Ilmaasaai overdelivered
We are a Costa Rica couple currently living in London, and chose a 6-day Safari Tanzania for our honeymoon. Our Safari experience was memorable, not least because Ilmaasai gave us a great service.
About Loth (the manager):
- Email communication was quick and easy.
- The safari itinerary and pick-ups were executed as planned.
- Loth arranged a combination of room and camping accommodation within our budget where other Safari operators did not. You'll appreciate a bed!
- After our safari ended, we separately booked a flight. Loth helped us with a problem we had with that flight.
- We dealt with other operators during our stay in Tanzania. Some have a harassing attitude and try to change things you have already agreed. But there are also great operators. With Loth you'll be in safe hands.
About Brayson (the guide):
- He's passionate and knowledgeable about wildlife. He's also an educated person from which you can learn about Tanzania's culture and history. He's attentive, friendly, and helpful.
- He communicated with other safari operators to spot animals. These networks are a big bonus from choosing a reputable safari company!
- We were the first ones to leave the camp on several days. Bryson was always ready on time.
- Conversely, in some days the game drives extended until sunset.
- He's a careful driver. Some drivers forget they are inside a national park.
- He thoroughly respects the rules of a fragile ecosystem. Some drivers would go off the road within the national parks even though it goes against the national parks rules.
- The registration process in the national parks was always smooth. We had 0 worries.
About Fillipo (the cook):
- He served us lots of food! And food was tasty. As Brayson, he's attentive, friendly, and helpful.
- After we asked him what ugali was, he prepared some for us.
- Filippo was also in charge of collecting the camping stuff whenever we moved to the next national park. When we returned to the national park, everything was ready.
- He respects the rules of a fragile ecosystem. Our food was packed in reusable plastic containers, while we witnessed how many operators bin an unnecessary amount of waste.
We thank you for all the efforts you made for doing our experience memorable!
DE
Email Fabian | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
All i wanted
ILmaasai Expeditions where very friendly before the safari during booking and did all what we have requiered before. They took really very good care of us. We chose 6days safari with Lake Manyara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro conversation area. We have stayed in tents and on tented lodges. It was a great experience to stay in the nature and sleeping next to the animals. All was in good shape. The driver Brianson spotted plenty of animals and he knew great spots. Also our chef Osman cook delicious food even for my vegetarian wife. He took really good care of us. All the time they were friendly helpful and funny.
We really enjoyed the safari and would reommend it to anyone else. Thanks again Ilmaasai Expeditions, Brianson and Osman