A family business, born in Arusha in 2003.
Ilmaasai, the Maasai word for "the Maasai", is a family-owned local tour operator specialising in Tanzania safaris, Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru trekking, and Zanzibar holidays. Loth Kornelio founded the company in 2003 after years of guiding, and today his family and a small team of professional guides look after every traveller who comes to us.
Arusha, Tanzania
Base camp for every expedition
The people who will plan your trip.
Loth Kornelio founded Ilmaasai in 2003. He still drives and guides himself, and he knows the northern parks by heart, which road to take when the rain comes, and where the cats will be at first light.
Catherine, his daughter, handles reservations and is usually the person answering your first email. Collin, his son, plans itineraries and guides in the field. Bryson, a colleague of many years, guides alongside them.
Between us we speak English and Swahili, and we can arrange guides who speak German, Spanish, French or Italian. We are based in Arusha, at the foot of Mount Meru and a short drive from the northern circuit gates, and we are on the phone for you the whole time you are in Tanzania.
Guests tell us that by the end of a trip we no longer feel like tour guides. That is exactly how we want it.
Founded
2003
Arusha, Tanzania
Owned by
One family
Loth, Catherine and Collin Kornelio
We arrange
Safaris, treks & beach
Northern parks, Kilimanjaro, Meru, Zanzibar
Explore the Wild. Experience More.
How we work.
What we do
We plan and run private safaris in the northern and southern parks, climbs on Kilimanjaro and Meru, and beach stays in Zanzibar. Every trip is built around your dates, your budget and what you want to see.
How we plan
One of us writes your itinerary by hand and answers your questions directly. No agents in between, no packages copied off a shelf.
What we promise
A clear price with park fees included, a private vehicle and guide, and someone in Arusha you can reach at any hour of the trip.
What we care about
- Guests we stay in touch with long after the trip.
- Work and fair pay for Tanzanian guides, drivers and camp teams.
- Small groups, so the bush stays quiet after we leave.
Local knowledge, and time to use it.
We think most safaris move too fast. We would rather give you one extra night in the Serengeti than tick off a park you will only see through a windscreen.
We think every safari should be private. Your own Land Cruiser, your own guide, and a pace set by you, whether you are camping or staying in the finest lodges.
We think price should be honest. Park fees, accommodation, transfers and meals are all in the quote before you decide.
