Taking you to the exotic African wild!
Morning Star Tours & Travel
- Office In:
- Size:
- 20-50 employees (Founded in 2018)
- Member Of:
- IATA, KATO, AMREF & TOSK
- Tour Types:
- Custom mid-range & luxury tours that can start every day
- Destinations:
- Price Range:
- $134 to $806 per person per day (USD, excl. int'l flights)
for a custom tour
Your request will be sent directly to the operator
If preferred, you can contact the operator directly
Reviews
CA
Email JV | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Great planning, reliable service, and unforgettable wildlife experiences
My wife and I did a 10-day private safari in Kenya and Tanzania with Morningstar. We started in Nairobi and went to Lake Nakuru National Park (1 night), Masai Mara National Park (2 nights), Northern Serengeti National Park (1 night), Central Serengeti National Park (1 night), Ngorongoro Crater National Reserve (1 night), Tarangire National Park (1 night), Amboseli National Park (2 nights), and finished in Nairobi again.
We saw everything we wanted and more. We saw the Big Five, the wildebeest crossing the Mara River, and animals very close by. We even saw a lioness hunt and catch a wildebeest.
On the booking side, we quoted with four different companies. The prices were very similar, and what made us choose Morningstar was the reviews, but mainly the booking process. The digital itinerary provided was excellent. It had all the information we needed, including recommended stays and alternative options with costs. That made our lives easier since we wanted to choose where to stay. Dennis was also great at replying quickly and addressing all our concerns.
As we did Kenya, Tanzania, and then back to Kenya, we had three drivers/guides. All three were punctual and respectful.
Rono was our driver in Kenya, from Nairobi to Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara. He was amazing. He always wanted to know our goals for the day and did his best to find the animals. He positioned the car perfectly for sightings and was a great spotter. I mentioned I was interested in birds, and he noticed and pointed out many of them.
Jackson was our driver in Tanzania. He was also great in different ways. He was calm and patient, and he waited with us for five hours to see the wildebeest cross the river. He kept the car super clean every day and drove very safely. The only downside was that his car seats didn’t recline, which matters on long drives between parks.
Our last driver, Masila, was not as good. We stayed with him for three days from the border to Amboseli and Nairobi. Each morning, the car smelled bad, similar to marijuana. He didn’t put much effort into looking for animals and was not monitoring the radio much. On the positive side, he followed our requests for departure and return times. However, his drive back to Nairobi was too reckless, speeding and driving a bit dangerously.
Roads in general are rough. Many main routes between parks are unpaved and very bumpy, especially from before the Masai Mara up to Ngorongoro. This made the transfers uncomfortable. My wife was motion sick almost every day after day three, so be prepared with medication if you are prone to it.
If we were to do a safari again, we would choose fewer days and fewer parks. A 7-day safari would be more than enough, as the long drives get tiring. We would also spend more nights in fewer parks. For us, Lake Nakuru, Masai Mara, and maybe Amboseli (for elephants) would be enough to see everything, except the river crossing, which we saw in the Northern Serengeti.
Most of the stays we had were mid-range, and they were really good. All were clean, beautiful, organized, and had good food. We even gained some weight during the trip. We loved the tented camps, which were well organized and even had hot showers inside the tents. I would say it is not necessary to book luxury lodges, since you don’t spend much time there anyway. Most days, we arrived around 5 or 6 PM and left again between 6 and 7 AM. One thing we didn’t like was that the staff gave us too much attention. They often wanted to ask how our day was, which was kind, but sometimes we were just too tired after a full day in the car.
I really loved the trip. It is expensive, but it is a trip of a lifetime. I spent almost the whole day looking through the roof of the car for animals when we were in the parks, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
My wife had a different take. Because of the bad roads, she got motion sick for several days, and for her, the discomfort outweighed the excitement at times. She also didn’t enjoy being in the car for almost 12 hours a day, with only a picnic lunch and quick bathroom breaks in the wilderness.
Still, I definitely recommend Morningstar Safari Tours. They delivered on what they promised, and it was an unforgettable trip that we would do again with them.
MY
Email Runiza | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
We couldn’t have asked for a better safari guide—professional, caring, and deeply knowledgeable
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From start to finish, our safari guides exceeded expectations! Our six days and five nights across Kenya and Tanzania were filled with learning, laughter, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. Alex, our Kenya guide, was an expert at maneuvering the jeep and finding every animal we hoped to see. Jackson, our Tanzanian guide, was the friendliest guide we could ask for! Both were professional, caring, and deeply knowledgeable. Thanks to them, our safari was seamless, exciting, and full of memories we’ll treasure forever.
MY
Email Maryam Wong | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Memories maker
The safari experience started with our tour advisor Dennis. He is always quick to turn around with all our queries and changes. He even make sure we have the best ride to help with my son motion sickness. Dennis also make sure our special dietary needs are met at all the lodges we are staying in.
We were picked up by Alex in Nairobi in Maasai Mara Kenya. Alex is such a knowledgeable guide of the Maasai Mara. He knows the best time to get out to the park which is first in the park and within 5 mins we saw a pride of lions playing together against the sunrise backdrop. He just know the best place to place the vehicle to get the best view. We even sighted 3 attempts of a cheetah chasing after his prey.
The next day he send us to Tanzania border to meet up with another great guide, Jackson.
Jackson is very careful driver which we deeply appreciate. Driving around the Serengeti is not for the faint of heart. Safety is a top priority for the animals and us. He has deep knowledge of the animals and also the vegetation ard Serengeti. Which is a plus! His great rapport with other guides has gotten us front row seat sighting of a leopard in the Center Serengeti.
Both Alex and Jackson had deep love for their profession which we deeply appreciate.
AT
Email Katrin & Alex | 20-35 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Very experienced, helpful and organised!!
We started our safari at Nairobi. Our guide James picked us up from the hotel and we then drove to Masai Masa - Lake Nakuru and Amboseli.
With James we experienced a better safari than we could have imagined.
In Masai Mara we already saw 4 of the Big Five, completing that mission in Lake Nakuru 😊
James always stayed as long as needed so we could see all the animals as long as possible. He shared many facts about the wildlife - in the most friendly and funny way 😊
We really enjoyed our 6-day Safari and we definitely are planning to come back any time soon! 😊 thank you for everything!!
PL
Email Jacek | 50-65 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
Responsible & professional
I have chosen Morningstar Safari because of interesting offer covering all Key national Parks both in Kenia and Tanzania. And I am not dissapointed at all. With the Assistance of our guides we were succesful in Game drive having the Opportunity to see the Big Five, wildbeast migration and a lot of birds. The organisation and constant care provided by Alice the manager was very professional
NL
Email Sidd Ravishankar | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: 2-5 safaris
From planning to game drives Morningstar delivered a flawless safari experience for our whole family
So where do I begin? An African safari is the stuff of dreams, often planned months or even years in advance. We, however, decided in July to travel in August, with just a month to plan what turned out to be one of the most memorable experiences of our lives.
I began by reading reviews on Tripadvisor and Safaribookings and contacted four to five companies. In the end, I narrowed it down to Morningstar and another very highly reputed operator with nearly flawless reviews. What tipped the scales in Morningstar’s favor was one person: Joysharon. She was prompt, flexible, and genuinely willing to work with both our budget and our preferred lodges. Most importantly, she was always accessible — whether on WhatsApp, email, or phone. I asked her countless questions, and she was consistently patient, kind, and helpful. She stayed in touch before, during, and even after our trip, which truly set her apart. Payments were also easy and stress-free. Unlike many others, Morningstar never pressured us to pay too early. I was able to settle the balance just a couple of days before departure. To the Morningstar team, in Joysharon you have a gem, and I hope you keep hold of her.
One of my requests while booking was to have Alex Masila as our guide along with a reliable vehicle. Looking back, that was the best decision we made. On an African safari, your guide makes or breaks the experience, and Alex made ours unforgettable. Traveling with two toddlers and two senior citizens, we needed someone understanding and accommodating, and Alex was exactly that and more.
Our journey took us to Lake Naivasha for a day, Lake Nakuru National Park for another, and then three days in the Masai Mara. We spent one day in the Mara Triangle and two days in the Greater Mara. Each of these safaris was unique in what it offered, and the variety of experiences has only left us wanting to return to Africa again.
From the very first day, it was clear that Alex doesn’t just guide safaris; he lives and breathes wildlife. A father of three himself, I could imagine what an inspiring mentor he must be at home, passing down his passion and knowledge to the next generation. His depth of understanding was extraordinary. From animal behavior and anatomy to birdlife, landscapes, and even the subtle differences between regions, Alex brought every sighting to life. With him, it was never just about spotting animals, it was about truly seeing and understanding them.
Over five days, Alex’s network and rapport with other guides ensured we never missed a moment. Even at busy sightings with many vehicles, he had an uncanny ability to position us perfectly, often in the best and closest spot. That personal touch transformed each encounter into something special.
In hindsight, choosing Morningstar was absolutely the right call. It was not only because of their responsiveness but because of the people behind it. Joysharon and Alex made the wilderness feel like home, and for that, we will always be grateful.
TW
Email Elice Wang | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
A Genius Guide, Tony, Who Made Our Safari Unforgettable
Tony is an extraordinary guide, incredibly knowledgeable, like a zoologist who knows every animal’s habits and behaviors. He always seemed to know exactly where to find wildlife and positioned us perfectly for stunning photography. His instincts and expertise made every game drive feel like a masterclass in nature.
Beyond the safari, Tony’s attention to detail was unmatched. His vehicle was spotless every day, no dust, no trash, and all our belongings neatly organized. He’s thoughtful, trustworthy, and went above and beyond, helping us with immigration paperwork and even taking me to a local pharmacy when I had stomach issues. His driving was smooth and safe, making us feel comfortable at all times.
This was truly an amazing safari experience in Tanzania, and Tony was the soul of it. If we return to Tanzania, we wouldn’t want anyone else guiding us. He’s simply the best.
The only thing of the itinerary I felt could have been better planned was the hot air balloon ride in Maasai Mara. To be honest, we only saw two ostriches during the entire flight….not a single antelope or zebra, which was quite disappointing given our expectations. Had the balloon ride been arranged in Serengeti instead, I genuinely believe I would’ve rated this trip a perfect 10 out of 10.
Email Alex | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Personalised, professional and fun!
We're so glad that we chose Morningstar for our 10 day safari through Tanzania and Kenya.
We were picked up at our accommodation in Arusha by our driver Jackson and his apprentice Michael. The car was of a really high standard. The inside was spotless, we had comfy cushions on every chair, a fridge for drinks, bottles of water laid out and a power board. All very welcome as you spend about 8 hours a day in the car on safari).
Jackson was such a stand-out guide through Tanzania. He is so knowledgeable and a very skilled driver. He got us great positions to see wildlife and was a great (and funny) communicator. He seems to be really practical and we felt safe with him at all times. When we were parked up somewhere, if there was someone in need and it didnt impinge in our time, he was always jumping out to help change tyres or tie a winch. He checked in with us about timing and made sure we were always comfortable. His experience was evident (he's been a guide for 15 years).
When we crossed into Kenya we changed cars and drivers. We were a little bit unimpressed by the quality of the car (I wont go into details but there were a few issues that were making our drive uncomfortable). We let Dennis know as an FYI and he insisted on sending us another car. He took responsibility and promised to have our repaired. By the next morning it had arrived and we continued our tour in comfort with another great car and great driver. Our driver on the Kenyan side was Tim. Again he was so experienced (20 years). He had a book of animals and pointed out different species. He seemed to know everyone and used his radio to hear all the goings on and got us up close to some incredible white rhinos.
We think Dennis is running a professional, customer service focused business.
All the accommodation was wonderful. The food was great and the animals were incredible. We witnessed the wildebeest migration across the Masa river and got so close to big cats, elephants, giraffes, and so many others. I highly recommend Morningstar to other travellers.
SG
Email Esther | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Above and beyond all my dreams
Big shout out to my tour guide, James. His warm and passionate energy for sure was the key that made our Masai Mara trip unique and unforgettable. Not only did he make sure that everyone in the group was engaged and having fun, but he was fully committed to finding us our dream animals. One day on our way back to hotel, he turned around and drove an extra mile so to rush us to a leopard (very rare) that is on the opposite side of the park! Plus, don’t forget to mention that he’s a fantastic photographer and taught me how to shoot animal planet level photos with binoculars! Thank you sensei James. You’ll be missed!
TW
Email Janet Ho | 35-50 years of age | Experience level: first safari
Unforgettable safari with Morningstar – well organized, expertly guided, and full of soul and wonder
We feel incredibly lucky to have had James from Morningstar Safaris as our guide on our Great Migration journey in Maasai Mara. From the very beginning, his warmth, kindness, and contagious energy made a deep impression on us. Even after long days, he always had a big smile on his face – and that positivity never faded.
James is not only extremely knowledgeable about wildlife and the Great Migration, but he also knows the Maasai Mara inside out. He was always ready to go the extra mile – quite literally! The moment he heard of any animal we were hoping to see, he would drive across the vast plains without hesitation, determined to help us fulfill our safari dreams.
He was proactive and always looking out for us. Whether it was solving little problems along the way, or helping us capture the perfect photo, James handled everything with professionalism and heart.
Thanks to him, our safari was not only unforgettable but also deeply meaningful. We truly couldn’t have asked for a better guide – thank you, James, for making our adventure so special. Highly, highly recommended!
