Thermotropic ionic liquid crystals are considered very promising for a wide range of applications, such as anisotropic conductors as well as electrolytes in dye-synthesized solar cells. Their potential comes from the unique combination of ionic conductivity and high polarizability. In this paper we present a study of the diffusional properties of the ionic smectic A phase formed by the cationic smectogen, N-docecyl-N'-methyl-imidazolium (C12mim), with two different counter ions. Experimental translational diffusion data measured by NMR diffusometry are collected both for cations and anions and discussed in terms of their different anisotropy.