Which place is cheaper, Kruger National Park or Jinja?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Jinja or Kruger National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jinja or Kruger National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Jinja or Kruger National Park?
Jinja
Jinja is a city located at the source of the Nile in Uganda, Africa. Many backpackers travel to Jinja, as it is known for its white water rafting. This city is the third largest economy in all of the East African Community. It has a population of about 72,000 people.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, in northeast South Africa hugs the border of Mozambique in the east, Zimbabwe in the north, and the Crocodile River to the south. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, it hosts a variety of habitats with a thriving population of wildlife and indigenous plant species, making it a safari destination like no other.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Uganda, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in South Africa, and The Best 10-Day Tours in South Africa.
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Jinja Prices
Uganda PricesKruger National Park Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayJinja $121Kruger National Park $100
The average daily cost (per person) in Jinja is $121, while the average daily cost in Kruger National Park 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 Jinja and Kruger National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personJinja $47Kruger National Park $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomJinja $94Kruger National Park $102
Compare Hotels in Jinja and Kruger National Park
Looking for a hotel in Jinja or Kruger 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: Jinja Hotel Prices and Kruger National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Jinja $23Kruger National Park $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kruger National Park
Also for Kruger National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer from Greater Kruger to Gauteng: $65
- Transfer - Skukuza Airport to Southern Sabi Sand Reserve: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Jinja or Kruger National Park?
Prices for flights to both Kruger National Park and Jinja 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 dayJinja $53Kruger National Park $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kruger National Park
For Kruger National Park, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Safari Game Drive and Dinner in the Bush near Hoedspruit: $151
- Bush Braai Dinner and Game Drive Kruger Park Plus : $178
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Jinja $31Kruger National Park $23
Tours and Activities in Jinja
Here are a few actual costs in Jinja for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- David's Shared Walking Tour in Jinja with a Local Cultural Meal: $40
- Half-Day Jinja Walking Tour: Source of Nile & Boat Ride Options: $31
- Jinja Cultural and Historical Walking Tour: $39
- Jinja Village Bike Tour : $40
Tours and Activities in Kruger National Park
For Kruger National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Citrus farm tours with Primos gin tastings: $24
- 90-minute Elephant Watching Experience in Hoedspruit : $78
- Full-Day Guided Tour in the Kruger National Park: $89
- Private 4x4 Safari Tour in Kruger National Park: $119
- Full-Day Panorama Tour in Mpumalanga Province: $133
- Sabie Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Sundowners: $166
- Private Guided Panorama Full Day Tour : $182
- Kruger National Park Full Day Safari Tour: $237
- 3-Day Safari Tour and Treehouse Stay: $781
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayJinja $14Kruger National Park $4.45
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jinja and Kruger National Park, we can see that Jinja is more expensive. And not only is Kruger National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kruger National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kruger 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 Jinja would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jinja than you might in Kruger National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jinja Expensive? and Is Kruger 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.