Should I Visit Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Dar es Salaam and Drakensberg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Dar es Salaam

Having grown from a fishing village, Dar es Salaam is now a major city and commercial port on Tanzania's Indian Ocean coast. While it is mainly used as a stopping point on the way to Zanzibar, it has a few unique treasures of its own such as the Kariakoo Market, National Museum, and the open-air Village Museum.

Drakensberg

Drakensberg, whose name derives from the Dutch and means "mountains of the dragons," is a mountainous region which encompasses a vast amount of South Africa's interior, extending into neighboring countries as well. It hugs the eastern border of Lesotho, attracting visitors for hiking, backpacking, and admiring the natural wonders of the landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best Safaris in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.

Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg or Dar es Salaam?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

Dar es Salaam Prices
Tanzania Prices

Drakensberg Prices
South Africa Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Dar es Salaam $482

Drakensberg $100

The average daily cost (per person) in Dar es Salaam is $482, while the average daily cost in Drakensberg is $100. 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 Dar es Salaam and Drakensberg in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Dar es Salaam $442

Drakensberg $37
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Dar es Salaam $884

Drakensberg $74

Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Drakensberg

Looking for a hotel in Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg? 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: Dar es Salaam Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Dar es Salaam $14

Drakensberg $67

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Also for Dar es Salaam, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Transfer/Airport pick up and drop off: $192
Transfer from dar es salaam to morogoro: $203
Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam to Dar es Salaam Airport by luxury car: $167
Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam city to Dar es Salaam Airport DAR by Minivan: $17
Private Transfer from Dar es Salaam Airport DAR to Dar es Salaam by Business Car: $100
Private Transfer from Dar El Salaam to Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR): $93
Luxury Coach - Dar Es Salaam Airport Transfer to the City Centre/Out ( 22 max): $113
Julius Nyerere Airport (DAR) Private Transfer to Dar es Salaam: $50
Ferry Tickets to Zanzibar with Transfers.: $120
Dar es salaam-Morogoro-Dar es salaam transfer by luxury car.: $200
1 Day Mikumi Safari (SGR VIP Train Transfer): $380
1 Day Mikumi Safari (SGR VIP Train Transfer): $356

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Prices for flights to both Drakensberg and Dar es Salaam 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

Food Meals for one day

Dar es Salaam $32

Drakensberg $28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam

For Dar es Salaam, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Taste of Tanzania Cooking Class and Food Tour: $20
Tanzania: traditional Swahili cooking class: $45

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Dar es Salaam -

Drakensberg $8.45

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Dar es Salaam.

Dar Es Salaam City Tour (Full Day With Private Guide And Car): $155
1 Night Mikumi Adventure safari From Dar es Salaam: $390
1-Day experience safari to Mikumi from Dar-es-Salaam by car: $320
2 Days 1 Night Amazing Maasai Tour & Mikumi National Park: $400
2-Days adventure to Mikumi by luxury train from Dar-es-Salam: $380
2-Days safari adventure to Mikumi N. Park from Dar-es-Salaam: $380
3 Days 2 nights safari Mikumi adventure: $550
3 Days Camping Experience Safari: mikumi national Park: $449
3 Days Camping adventure: mikumi national Park: $450
3-Day Mikumi Adventure Safari: $650
3-Day Mikumi Safari Adventure: $611
3-Days adventure from Dar-es-Salaam to Mikumi National Park: $430

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Dar es Salaam $7.80

Drakensberg $3.66

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Dar es Salaam and Drakensberg, we can see that Dar es Salaam is more expensive. And not only is Drakensberg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Drakensberg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Drakensberg 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 Dar es Salaam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dar es Salaam than you might in Drakensberg.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Dar es Salaam Expensive? and Is Drakensberg Expensive?.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Drakensberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Dar es Salaam

Drakensberg

Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg or Dar es Salaam?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Drakensberg

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Alcohol

Related Articles for Dar es Salaam

Related Articles for Drakensberg

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Dar es Salaam vs. Drakensberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Dar es Salaam

Drakensberg

Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg or Dar es Salaam?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Dar es Salaam and Drakensberg

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dar es Salaam

Is it cheaper to fly into Dar es Salaam or Drakensberg?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dar es Salaam

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Dar es Salaam

Alcohol

Related Articles for Dar es Salaam

Related Articles for Drakensberg

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