Which place is cheaper, Tsavo National Park or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Arusha or Tsavo National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Tsavo National Park can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Tsavo National Park?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Tsavo National Park
Tsavo National Park is one of the largest and oldest parks in Kenya, located in the central part of the country in what was once known as the Taru Desert. Human activity in the park dates back to the Late Stone Age making the park a major archaeological and historical site. Tsavo is known for having beautiful natural landscapes and excellent game viewing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Kenya, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $171Tsavo National Park $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $171, while the average daily cost in Tsavo National Park is $114. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Arusha and Tsavo National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $125Tsavo National Park $33
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $250Tsavo National Park $66
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Tsavo National Park
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Tsavo National Park? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Tsavo National Park $61
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kilimanjaro Airport Return Transfers to and From Arusha Hotels: $147
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer | Pick Up & Drop up | With BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD: $100
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Tsavo National Park?
Prices for flights to both Tsavo National Park and Arusha change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayArusha $23Tsavo National Park $38
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $27
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Tsavo National Park $47
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Coffee Tourism & Banana Farms Experience: $20
- ARUSHA LANDMARK CITY TOUR by walking : $25
- Tanzanite experience tour - Tanzanite shopping in Arusha: $35
- Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
- Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
- Microfinance family farm tour - all proceeds to charity: $35
- Hidden Arusha Waterfall, Coffee & Village Tour (All-Inclusive): $40
- Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $40
- Organic Coffee Tour and Local Food Experience in Arusha: $45
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha : $45
- 4 Hours Cycling Tour in Shimo La Mungu Crater: $50
- Arusha city tour and Pickup: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Tsavo National Park $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Arusha and Tsavo National Park, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Tsavo National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tsavo National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tsavo National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Tsavo National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Tsavo National Park Expensive?.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.