Ilmaasai guides and guests on safari in TanzaniaAn Ilmaasai driver-guide with travellers on the plainsThe Ilmaasai family and guests beside a safari vehicleIlmaasai team celebrating with guestsGuests watching the sun set over the savannahTravellers and the Ilmaasai team on safari together
WHERE OUR STORY BEGAN (1985–1990)

“Every great journey begins with a dream.”

Our story began in Arusha, Tanzania, with our dad, Masai Loth Kornelio. Unable to continue his formal education, he learned the mechanics trade and began building a future through hard work, determination, and a love for his homeland.

We are proud of our nature and love it!✦We are proud of our nature and love it!✦We are proud of our nature and love it!✦We are proud of our nature and love it!✦
Safari programs 2026–2027

Tanzania safari tours

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Who we are

Who is Ilmaasai Expedition?

Ilmaasai, the Maasai word for "the Maasai", was founded in Arusha in 2003 by Loth Kornelio. Today his family and a small team of professional guides plan safaris, Kilimanjaro and Meru climbs, and Zanzibar holidays for travellers from all over the world.

Get to know us
The Ilmaasai team with guests beside a safari vehicle
Why Ilmaasai

Why travel with our family

Family-owned since 2003

You deal directly with the Kornelio family in Arusha, not a call centre abroad. More than twenty years of planning Tanzania trips, and every itinerary drawn by hand around your dates.

Local, professional guides

Tanzanian driver-guides who grew up beside these parks, fluent in English and Swahili, with German, Spanish, French and Italian speakers available on request.

Private 4×4 Land Cruisers

Every safari is private. Pop-up roof, a window seat for everyone, charging points and cold drinking water throughout the day.

24/7 support, clear pricing

Park fees, accommodation, transfers and full board quoted up front, secure online payment, and someone reachable in Arusha at any hour of your trip.

Talk to us first

Free 30-minute call with our Tanzania team

Pick a day and time that suits you. We will give you honest advice about safaris, Kilimanjaro routes and the best seasons to travel.

Book a free call
Ilmaasai Expedition team in Arusha

Talk to Collin

Arusha, Tanzania

Choose your comfort

Camping, midrange or luxury

Every program runs in every style. Only the camps and lodges change.

Closest to nature

Budget Camping

Tented camping safaris across the northern parks, from around US$150 per person per day.

Comfort and adventure

Midrange Lodge

Comfortable lodges and tented camps with a hot shower at the end of every game drive, from around US$270 per person per day.

The finest camps in Tanzania

Luxury Lodge

Private, tailor-made itineraries staying in Tanzania's finest lodges and camps, from around US$300 per person per day.

Activities

Game drives, walking safaris, hot air balloons over the Serengeti and Tarangire, Maasai, Hadzabe and Datoga visits, and the Materuni waterfalls and coffee tour.

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Activities

Accommodations

From campsites inside the parks to midrange lodges and the finest tented camps in Tanzania. Every program lists your options for each night.

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Accommodations
Wildebeest on the Serengeti during the Great Migration
Season highlight

The Great Migration

Huge herds of wildebeest and zebra move through the Serengeti all year, with lions and hyenas close behind. We plan each route around where the herds are: the calving plains of Ndutu from late January to March, and the river crossings in the north from July to October.

→ View migration safaris
What people say

Reviews from our travellers

★★★★★

“Traveling to Africa for the first time felt overwhelming, but Collin made the entire planning process seamless. Ilmaasai is a family-owned business, which made the experience even more special, Christian and Loth no longer felt like tour guides, they felt like family.”
Angel S. · TripAdvisor · February 2026

★★★★★

“Our safari with Ilmaasai will without doubt remain one of the most beautiful trips of our lives. Loth knows the parks by heart and always found the best route, and Collins made the adventure even more special. We recommend this company with our eyes closed.”
Anthony A. · TripAdvisor · March 2026

★★★★★

“Tarangire, the Ngorongoro Crater and five days in the Serengeti, a private vehicle with a driver and guide just for us, good food, water always to hand, and a better price than the other agencies we asked. We loved discovering Tanzania with them.”
Coco · TripAdvisor · April 2026
From the field

Photos from our trips

Ilmaasai Expedition guests on safari
Ilmaasai Expedition guests on safari
Ilmaasai Expedition guests on safari
Ilmaasai Expedition guests on safari
Ilmaasai Expedition guests on safari
Ilmaasai Expedition guests on safari
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ilmaasai Expedition?+

We are a family-owned local tour operator based in Arusha, Tanzania, specialising in Tanzania safaris, Kilimanjaro and Meru trekking, and Zanzibar holidays since 2003. The company was founded by Loth Kornelio and is run today with his daughter Catherine in the office and his son Collin guiding in the field.

How much does a Tanzania safari cost?+

Budget camping safaris start from around US$150 per person per day, midrange lodge safaris from around US$270, and luxury lodge safaris from around US$300. The final price depends on the season, the number of travellers and the parks you choose. Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation.

What is included in the price?+

Park and conservation fees, accommodation, a private 4×4 safari vehicle with a pop-up roof, your professional driver-guide, all meals on safari, drinking water, and airport pick-up and drop-off. International flights, visas, travel insurance, tips and personal items are not included.

What languages do your guides speak?+

All our guides are fluent in English and Swahili. We also have guides who speak German, Spanish, French and Italian, among other languages, tell us your preference when you enquire.

When is the best time to visit Tanzania?+

Tanzania is a year-round destination. The great wildebeest migration river crossings usually run from July to October, the calving season in Ndutu falls between late January and March, and the dry months of June to October give the most concentrated game viewing. We will advise honestly around your dates.

How do I book and pay?+

Send us your dates and interests and we will reply quickly with a tailored itinerary and quote. A deposit confirms your lodges and park permits, and payment can be made by bank transfer or securely online through our Pesapal payment page.

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Plan your trip to Tanzania

Tell us your dates and the program you like. You'll have a price and a reply within 24 hours.