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 $79, while the average daily cost in Durban is $51. 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 $47
    Durban $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kruger National Park $94
    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 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: $185

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

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

  • Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $108
  • Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $32
  • Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $35
  • From Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Overnight Safari w/ Transfer: $499
  • Durban to Durban King Airport (DUR) - Departure Private Transfer: $28
  • Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $55
  • Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $39
  • Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
  • 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: $82
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Durban MSC Cruise Port to Durban City by Minivan: $75

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 $16

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:

  • Sabi Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $137

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Durban

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

  • Half Day Guided Taste of Africa Food Tour in Durban: $41

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kruger National Park $21
    Durban $16

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: $82
  • Kruger National Park Full Day Safari Tour: $190
  • Kruger National Park Sunrise Half-Day Safari Tour: $179
  • 3-Day Safari Tour and Treehouse Stay: $687
  • Kruger Safari Tour - Morning Half Day: $52

Tours and Activities in Durban

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

  • 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $146
  • 1/2 Day Phezulu Safari Tour from Durban: $158
  • 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $175
  • 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $159
  • 12 Days Best Of South Africa Tour - Johannesburg to CapeTown: $3,350
  • 15 Day Tour Cape Town to Johannesburg: $3,149
  • 2 Day Hluhluwe Imfolo & Isimangaliso W/Park Tour from Durban: $634
  • A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $186
  • Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift Battle Day Tour From Durban: $188
  • Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, 1 Day Tour from Durban: $191
  • Battle of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift Full Day Tour from Durban : $179
  • Battlefield Tour, Duration : 14hrs, Cost : R3 890pp - 2 or more pax travelling: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kruger National Park $4.05
    Durban $12

Sample the Local Flavors in Durban

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

  • Bar Crawl in Durban : $37


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.

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 Durban Expensive?.



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 daily temperature in Kruger National Park averages around 28°C (83°F) in January, and Durban fluctuates 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 average around 24°C (76°F), and Durban averages at 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. Daily temperatures in Kruger National Park average around 18°C (64°F), and Durban fluctuates 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 daily temperature in Kruger National Park averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Durban fluctuates 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)