Which place is cheaper, Merzouga or Kampala?
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 Kampala or Merzouga?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kampala or Merzouga? 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 Merzouga?
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.
Merzouga
Let's say you want to truly get away. I don't mean putting your ear buds in on some beach with a stronger on the next chair over. I mean really get away, and find yourself deserted. Merzouga, Morocco lets you do just that. This land of sand dune after sand dune is ideal for anyone yearning to ride a camel to the ends of civilization. And you'll find plenty of options to get here with a tour, or even on your own.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Uganda, The Best Safaris in Uganda, The Best Budget Tours to Morocco, and The Best Luxury Tours to Morocco.
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Kampala Prices
Uganda PricesMerzouga Prices
Morocco Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKampala $76Merzouga $23
The average daily cost (per person) in Kampala is $76, while the average daily cost in Merzouga is $23. 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 Merzouga in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKampala $59Merzouga $11
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKampala $118Merzouga $22
Compare Hotels in Kampala and Merzouga
Looking for a hotel in Kampala or Merzouga? 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: Kampala Hotel Prices and Merzouga Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kampala $2.50Merzouga -
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kampala
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kampala are as follows:
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Taxi around town$4.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kampala
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kampala:
- Airport Transfer from Entebbe to Kampala: $30
- Entebbe Airport pickup (Entebbe - Kampala) reliable 24/7 transfer: $48
- Entebbe Kampala Airport Transfer: $55
- Private Airport & In-Country Transfers in Central Uganda: $60
- Private Transfer from Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda to Kampala: $79
- Private Transfer from Kampala to Entebbe Airport (EBB) Uganda: $79
- Private Entebbe Airport Transfer Pick-Up and Drop-off 24/7: $80
- The best Half day Kampala City Tour with Transfers: $110
- Uganda Equator Line tour in Kayabwe with Lunch & transfers: $140
- Full-Day Kampala City Highlights Tour, Lunch & private Transfers: $156
Is it cheaper to fly into Kampala or Merzouga?
Prices for flights to both Merzouga 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
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Food Meals for one dayKampala $15Merzouga $11
Typical Food Prices in Kampala
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Kampala:
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Lunch for 2$1.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kampala
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kampala.
- Private Ugandan Food Cooking Class and Culture Experience: $55
- Kampala Kitchens Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $59
- Kampala Local Cooking Experience: $80
- Amazing Race - Food Tour: $103
- Fishing Village Food Tour & Luwombo Stop: $119
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Merzouga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Merzouga.
- Merzouga Cooking Class Familye: $46
- Desert excursion with camel trek into the camp Dinner breakfast: $50
- Exclusive Merzouga Desert Safari: Camel Ride, Sandsurf & Dinner: $52
- Private trip 4x4 in Merzouga Lunch with Berber Pizza: $59
- Merzouga Luxury AC/ Heating Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast: $65
- Magical Dinner and Camel Trek with 1 Night In Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp: $105
- Merzouga Desert Sunset Dinner and Stargazing Tour: $142
- 2 Nights Private Camp in Merzouga with Dinner and Camel Ride: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kampala -Merzouga -
Tours and Activities in Kampala
Here are a few actual costs in Kampala for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- African Fabric Market Tour: $13
- Kampala walking city Tours Experiences: $20
- Kampala City Walking Tour with a Local Guide: $20
- Kampala Half Day Walking Fashion and Style Tour with Guide: $22
- Best Kampala group Walking Tour.: $25
- Complete Kampala Tour Experience: $25
- Kampala Half-Day Walking Tour with Local Female Guides: $25
- Steve Kampala Walking tours (Airpals Safaris tour): $26
- Kampala’s Best Experience walking tour: $26
- Kampala Walking City Tours (Women-Guided): $27
- 3 Hours Walking Tour in Kampala: $28
- Inside Kampala Walking Tour (Female Guided): $28
Tours and Activities in Merzouga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Merzouga are as follows:
- Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD: $23
- From Erg Chebbi "Buggy & Quad bike Tour ": $24
- Camel Ride Experience: $30
- Merzouga dunes quad biking & Sandboarding Experience: $33
- ATV Quad bikes in sahara dunes experience & sandboarding: $34
- Adventure in Merzouga with Quads, Jeep Tours, Camel Ride camping: $35
- Quad Biking Desert Tour in Erg Chebbi Dunes: $39
- Merzouga 4x4 Jeep Desert Experience: $40
- Merzouga 4x4 Tour Excursion Around Erg Chebbi Dunes: $40
- 2-Hour Quad Desert Tour, Dunes Oasis, Nomads Family & Sandboard: $45
- Merzouga Quad Biking Experience: $47
- Merzouga Private 3 Hours Jeep Tour: $47
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKampala -Merzouga -
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kampala and Merzouga, we can see that Kampala is more expensive. And not only is Merzouga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Merzouga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Merzouga 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 Kampala would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kampala than you might in Merzouga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kampala Expensive? and Is Merzouga 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.