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

Should you visit Kruger National Park or Durban?

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 Durban can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kruger National Park or Durban?

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.

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Kruger National Park?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kruger National Park is $78, while the average daily cost in Durban is $50. 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 Durban in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kruger National Park $46
    Durban $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kruger National Park $92
    Durban $48
Compare Hotels in Kruger National Park and Durban

Looking for a hotel in Kruger National Park or Durban? 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 Kruger National Park


Hotels in Durban


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 Durban Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kruger National Park $24
    Durban $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

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

  • Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $35
  • Private Durban Airport Departure Transfer: $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Durban International Airport to Umhlanga: $86
  • Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban MSC Cruise Port by Minivan: $75
  • Departure Private Transfer: Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Business Car: $76
  • Departure Private Transfer from Durban City to Durban Airport DUR by Minivan: $79
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Durban MSC Cruise Port to Durban City by Minivan: $75
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $82
  • Airport Shuttle / Transfers: $30
  • 1-3 Passenger Private Durban Airport Transfer: $42

Is it cheaper to fly into Kruger National Park or Durban?

Prices for flights to both Durban 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 $15
    Durban $15

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kruger National Park $20
    Durban $16

Tours and Activities in Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

  • 12-Day Coast to Cape Town Adventure Accommodated Tour from Durban: $1,713
  • 12-Day Coast to Cape Town Adventure Camping Tour from Durban: $1,376
  • 5 Day Zululand – Lion & Elephant & Drakensberg Safari Tour from Durban: $1,336
  • 6-Day Guided Cultural Tour of Mbotyi Coffee Bay and Cintsa: $997
  • A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $162
  • Battlefield Tour, Duration : 14hrs, Cost : R3127pp - 2 or more pax travelling: $182
  • Battlefields Private Day Tour from Durban: $233
  • Big 5 Safari Durban Day Tour from Durban: $178
  • Culture Walking Tour of Durban: $34
  • Day Tour of Rorkes Drift and Isandlwana: $155
  • Discover Inner City Jewels Walking Tour in Durban: $37
  • Drakensberg & Nelson Mandela Capture Site Half Day Tour from Durban: $164

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kruger National Park $3.95
    Durban $12


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


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

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 Durban in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kruger National Park and Durban.

Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Durban in the summer. The temperature in Kruger National Park is usually 28°C (83°F) in January, and Durban stays around 25°C (76°F).

Durban receives a lot of rain in the summer. In January, Kruger National Park usually receives less rain than Durban. Kruger National Park gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Durban receives 134 mm (5.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January
    Kruger National Park 28°C (83°F) 
    Durban 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Durban in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kruger National Park as well as Durban.

In the autumn, Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Durban. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kruger National Park in April are around 24°C (76°F), and Durban is about 22°C (71°F).

Kruger National Park usually gets less rain in April than Durban. Kruger National Park gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Durban receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April
    Kruger National Park 24°C (76°F) 
    Durban 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Durban in the Winter?

Both Durban and Kruger National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

In July, Kruger National Park is generally around the same temperature as Durban. Temperatures in Kruger National Park average around 18°C (64°F), and Durban stays around 17°C (62°F).

In July, Kruger National Park usually receives less rain than Durban. Kruger National Park gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Durban receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July
    Kruger National Park 18°C (64°F) 
    Durban 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Durban in the Spring?

Both Durban and Kruger National Park during the spring are popular places to visit.

Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Durban in the spring. The temperature in Kruger National Park is usually 25°C (77°F) in October, and Durban stays around 21°C (69°F).

Kruger National Park usually gets less rain in October than Durban. Kruger National Park gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Durban receives 98 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October
    Kruger National Park 25°C (77°F) 
    Durban 21°C (69°F)

Typical Weather for Durban and Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park Durban
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 28°C (83°F) 95 mm (3.7 in) 25°C (76°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 98 mm (3.9 in) 25°C (76°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 27°C (81°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 126 mm (5 in)
Apr 24°C (76°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
May 21°C (69°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 11 mm (0.4 in) 17°C (62°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Aug 20°C (67°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 23°C (73°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 19°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 21°C (69°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (71°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Dec 28°C (82°F) 92 mm (3.6 in) 24°C (74°F) 102 mm (4 in)


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Kruger National Park vs. Durban Travel Comparison

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