Should I Visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

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 Kruger National Park and Cape Town can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

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.

Cape Town

Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.

Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in South Africa, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in South Africa.

Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Kruger National Park?

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

Kruger National Park Prices
South Africa Prices

Cape Town Prices
South Africa Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Kruger National Park $90

Cape Town $124

The average daily cost (per person) in Kruger National Park is $90, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $124. 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 Kruger National Park and Cape Town in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Kruger National Park $47

Cape Town $37
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Kruger National Park $94

Cape Town $74

Compare Hotels in Kruger National Park and Cape Town

Looking for a hotel in Kruger National Park or Cape Town? 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: Kruger National Park Hotel Prices and Cape Town Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Kruger National Park $24

Cape Town $17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kruger National Park

Also for Kruger National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

Transfer - Skukuza Airport to Southern Sabi Sand Reserve: $181
Shuttle Transfer from Greater Kruger to Gauteng: $59

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

West Coast Wonders Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $172
VIP Airport Transfer: $80
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town HTL-APT(CPT): $44
Try find your better than us! Airport transfer service in Cape Town APT-HTL(CPT): $44
Transfer to Cape Agulhas - Where Two Oceans Meet From Cape Town : $178
Transfer from Cape Town International Airport to Cape Town Areas: $16
Transfer from Cape Town City Center to Cape Town Airport: $17
Transfer To Safari- Aquila From Cape Town Excluding Entry Fees Full Day: $135
Township Tour by Lwafika Tours and Transfers in Cape Town: $65
Tastes of Stellenbosch Wine Full Day Tour with Private Transfer: $215
Table Mountain Luxury Escape with Transfers - Cape Town: $150
Table Mountain Cable Car Ticket with Transfer: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Prices for flights to both Cape Town and Kruger National Park 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

Kruger National Park $27

Cape Town $70

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $39
Malay Cooking Class and Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $42
Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $54
Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $58
Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $60
Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $60
African Dinner Experience from Cape Town: $68
African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $75
South African Cooking in Cape Town with Local Chef Richard: $76
South African Cooking Class in Cape Town with a Local Family: $82
Cape Malay Dinner at SPYCED: $90
Sunset Dinner at an Oceanfront Restaurant Near Cape Town: $92

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Kruger National Park $21

Cape Town $22

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:

Full-Day Guided Tour in the Kruger National Park: $81
3-Day Safari Tour and Treehouse Stay: $706
Private 4x4 Safari Tour in Kruger National Park: $108
Private Guided Panorama Full Day Tour : $165
Sabie Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Sundowners: $151

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

Best of the Cape Tour - Cape Peninsular and Winelands: $261
Cape Point Full Day Tour: $188
Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope day tour Up to 10 persons: $65
Cape Town - Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens and City Tour: $300
Cape Town Woodstock Street Art Walking Tour: $30
Cape Winelands From Cape Town Private Day Tour: $152
Cape Winelands Tour to Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl: $94
Cape of Good Hope T Mountain Bo-Kaap Penguins Private +Tickets : $238
Cape of good hope and penguins small group Tours: $252
Day Tour in Robben Island, Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain : $161
Franschhoek Wine Tram Hop-On Hop-Off Tour from Cape Town.: $126
Franschhoek Wine Tram Tour from Town & Stellenbosch experience: $107

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Kruger National Park $4.04

Cape Town $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

Distillery Tour, rum and gin tasting: $9.12
African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $26
Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $28
From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $40
Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $40
half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $47
Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $48
Fullday Wine Tour: $50
From CapeTown: Stellenbosch Half Day Wine Tour: $50
Aquila Reserve Safari with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $53
Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $57

How are these travel costs calculated?

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kruger National Park and Cape Town, we can see that Cape Town 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 Cape Town would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cape Town 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 Kruger National Park Expensive? and Is Cape Town Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Summer?

Both Cape Town and Kruger National Park are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Cape Town in the summer. The daily temperature in Kruger National Park averages around 28°C (83°F) in January, and Cape Town fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

In January, Kruger National Park usually receives more rain than Cape Town. Kruger National Park gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Summer Average Temperatures January

Kruger National Park 28°C (83°F)

Cape Town 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Autumn?

Both Cape Town and Kruger National Park during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Cape Town. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kruger National Park in April average around 24°C (76°F), and Cape Town averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Kruger National Park usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Cape Town. Kruger National Park gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Autumn Average Temperatures April

Kruger National Park 24°C (76°F)

Cape Town 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kruger National Park and Cape Town.

In July, Kruger National Park is generally a little warmer than Cape Town. Daily temperatures in Kruger National Park average around 18°C (64°F), and Cape Town fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In July, Kruger National Park usually receives less rain than Cape Town. Kruger National Park gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Winter Average Temperatures July

Kruger National Park 18°C (64°F)

Cape Town 13°C (55°F)

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kruger National Park as well as Cape Town.

Kruger National Park is much warmer than Cape Town in the spring. The daily temperature in Kruger National Park averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Cape Town fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Kruger National Park usually gets more rain in October than Cape Town. Kruger National Park gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cape Town receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Spring Average Temperatures October

Kruger National Park 25°C (77°F)

Cape Town 16°C (61°F)

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Kruger National Park

	Kruger National Park		Cape Town
	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)	Temp (°C)	Rain (mm)
Jan	28°C (83°F)	95 mm (3.7 in)	21°C (70°F)	14 mm (0.6 in)
Feb	28°C (82°F)	98 mm (3.9 in)	21°C (70°F)	16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar	27°C (81°F)	66 mm (2.6 in)	20°C (68°F)	21 mm (0.8 in)
Apr	24°C (76°F)	38 mm (1.5 in)	18°C (64°F)	41 mm (1.6 in)
May	21°C (69°F)	15 mm (0.6 in)	15°C (59°F)	68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun	17°C (63°F)	11 mm (0.4 in)	13°C (56°F)	93 mm (3.7 in)
Jul	18°C (64°F)	11 mm (0.4 in)	13°C (55°F)	83 mm (3.3 in)
Aug	20°C (67°F)	8 mm (0.3 in)	13°C (55°F)	77 mm (3 in)
Sep	23°C (73°F)	28 mm (1.1 in)	14°C (58°F)	41 mm (1.6 in)
Oct	25°C (77°F)	41 mm (1.6 in)	16°C (61°F)	33 mm (1.3 in)
Nov	26°C (79°F)	64 mm (2.5 in)	19°C (65°F)	16 mm (0.6 in)
Dec	28°C (82°F)	92 mm (3.6 in)	20°C (68°F)	17 mm (0.7 in)

A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Kruger National Park vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

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

Where Should I go: Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Kruger National Park

Cape Town

Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Kruger National Park?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Kruger National Park and Cape Town

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kruger National Park

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Is it cheaper to fly into Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Kruger National Park

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

When is the best time to visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Summer?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Autumn?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Winter?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Spring?

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Kruger National Park

Related Articles for Kruger National Park

Related Articles for Cape Town

A Travel Price Comparison for South Africa Kruger National Park vs. Cape Town for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

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

Where Should I go: Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Kruger National Park

Cape Town

Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Kruger National Park?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Kruger National Park and Cape Town

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kruger National Park

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town

Is it cheaper to fly into Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Food

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Kruger National Park

Tours and Activities in Cape Town

Alcohol

Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town

When is the best time to visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Summer?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Autumn?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Winter?

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Cape Town in the Spring?

Typical Weather for Cape Town and Kruger National Park

Related Articles for Kruger National Park

Related Articles for Cape Town

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