A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kampala vs. Dakar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kampala or Dakar?

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

Should I visit Kampala or Dakar? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Kampala or Dakar?

Kampala

Kampala is the capital of Uganda in the South part of the country near Lake Victoria. It is the largest city in Uganda, with a population of over two million people. This city is very safe and the locals are known to be very kind and approachable.

Dakar

Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.

Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Kampala?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $70, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $61. 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 Kampala and Dakar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kampala $60
    Dakar $32
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kampala $120
    Dakar $64
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Dakar

Looking for a hotel in Kampala or Dakar? 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.

Hotels in Kampala


Hotels in Dakar


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: Kampala Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kampala $2.52
    Dakar $5.32
Typical Local Transportation prices in Kampala

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:


  • Taxi around town
    $4.04

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:

  • Airport Transfers: $80
  • Entebbe Airport taxi. For a safe, affordable and reliable 24/7 airport transfer.: $40
  • Entebbe kampala airport transfers: $80
  • From 3-Day Murchison Falls Safari with Transfer: $2,200
  • Full-Day Kampala Trip with Lunch and Hotel Transfers: $200
  • Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $127
  • Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $127

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:

  • Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Round-Trp Private Transfer: $71
  • AIBD-DAKAR transfer: $49
  • Arrival Private Transfer Dakar Airport DSS to Dakar by Sedan, Minivan or Minibus: $69
  • Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $209
  • Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) to Dakar hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • DSS Airport Transfer - Dakar - In both directions - One way: $68
  • DSS Airport Transfer - Dakar - Round Trip: $135
  • DSS Airport Transfer - Saly - In both directions - One way: $76
  • Dakar hotels to Blaise Diagne Intl Airport (DSS) - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Private Transfer Blaise Diagne Airport DSS Departures and Arrivals: $60
  • Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $202
  • Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $202

Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Dakar?

Prices for flights to both Dakar and Kampala 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
    Kampala $8.49
    Dakar $19
Typical Food prices in Kampala

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:


  • Lunch for 2
    $1.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.

  • Like a local cooking Tours: $26
  • Momma Ida's Ugandan Cuisine Cooking Tour: $30
  • Cooking Class for Typical Ugandan Food in Kampala: $31
  • Three-Hour Food Tour: $41
  • Private Cooking Class with a Local Host: $47
  • Cooking Class With a Local (Kampala, Jinja, Entebbe - 4 Hours): $56
  • Kampala City Walking Food Tour: $77
  • Night-time Boda Boda Street Food Tour: $91
  • Fishing Village Food Tour & Luwombo Stop: $102
  • Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
  • The Food Tour | Uganda | Half day: $123
  • Kampala cooking tour: $133

Typical Food prices in Dakar

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:


  • Breakfast
    $4.07

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kampala -
    Dakar $13

Tours and Activities in Kampala

Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Uganda Community Tour: $15
  • African Fabric Market Tour : $18
  • Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $20
  • Amazing Tour Experience with a local: $20
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour with Optional Gaddafi Mosque: $24
  • Entebbe Walking Tour (3 Hours) with Zoo and Botanical Gardens Options: $25
  • Tombs, King’s palace and Gaddafi mosque walk tours: $26
  • Steve Kampala Walking tours: $27
  • 3 Hours Walking Tour in Kampala: $28
  • Kampala Guided walking Tour: $30
  • Inside Kampala Walking tour (Female Guided): $30
  • Free Female Guided Walking Tours Kampala (3 Hours): $30

Tours and Activities in Dakar

Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private custom tour with a local guide: $30
  • Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Dakar: $30
  • Dakar Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $31
  • Accro Baobab Adventure Ticket Entry: $38
  • Private City Tour: $87
  • Half Day Dakar City Tour: $105
  • Dakar City Tour and Goree island (from 3 people): $130
  • Half-Day GOREE Island Tour:The Heritage Tour: $130
  • Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
  • From Dakar or Saly: Half-Day Tour to Pink Lake: $135
  • Half Day Tour : Explore Goree island: $140
  • Full-Day Private Dakar City Tour : $141

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kampala -
    Dakar $8.92

Sample the Local Flavors in Kampala

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kampala:

  • Kampala Pub Crawl | Uganda | 4 hours: $60
  • Kampala Bar Crawl, Beer Tasting and Street Food (6 Hours): $71


When comparing the travel costs between Kampala and Dakar, we can see that Kampala is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Which is Bigger, Kampala or Dakar?

Dakar is bigger, and its population is about 83% larger than the population of Kampala. When comparing the population of Kampala vs. Dakar, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit and the activities that interest you.

Related Articles for Kampala
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.
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Kampala vs. Dakar Travel Comparison

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