Which place is cheaper, Durban 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.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in South Africa, The Best 10-Day Tours in South Africa, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in South Africa, and The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa.
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Kruger National Park Prices
South Africa PricesDurban Prices
South Africa Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKruger National Park $90Durban $63
The average daily cost (per person) in Kruger National Park is $90, while the average daily cost in Durban is $63. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKruger National Park $47Durban $24
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKruger National Park $94Durban $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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kruger National Park $24Durban $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: $82
- Shuttle Transfer from Greater Kruger to Gauteng: $59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban
Also for Durban, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $106
- Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $43
- Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $46
- Durban airport to Durban city transfer: $39
- Durban King Airport (DUR) to Durban - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $106
- Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $46
- Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $53
- Departure Private Transfer Durban to Durban Airport DUR by Sedan: $81
- 1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $46
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
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Food Meals for one dayKruger National Park $27Durban $27
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kruger National Park $21Durban $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:
- 90-minute Elephant Watching Experience in Hoedspruit : $71
- Citrus farm tours with Primos gin tastings: $22
- Full Day Kruger National Park Tour: $94
- Full-Day Guided Tour in the Kruger National Park: $81
- Kruger National Park Full Day Safari Tour: $202
- 3-Day Safari Tour and Treehouse Stay: $705
- Private 4x4 Safari Tour in Kruger National Park: $108
- Private Full Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Hoedspruit: $175
- Private Guided Panorama Full Day Tour : $165
- Sabie Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Sundowners: $151
Tours and Activities in Durban
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.
- 1 Day Safari Isimangaliso - Boat Cruise & Game Drive Fr Durban : $185
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour: $120
- 1/2 Day Durban City Tour & Phezulu Tour: $172
- 1/2 Day Tala Game Reserve & Lion Park Tour From Durban: $172
- 1/2 Day Tour to Drakensberg Mountains & Hiking from Durban: $172
- 1/2 Tala Game Reserve & Phezulu Safari Park Tour: $172
- 5-Day Zululand Tour of Drakensberg, Hluhluwe & Isimangaliso: $1,406
- A 20 minute helicopter tour of the Durbanville Wine Region: $1,045
- A Full Day Safari Tour to the Hluhluwe Imfolozi Big 5 Game Reserve: $183
- Adventure: Cape Town Quad bike, Dunes and Wine: $235
- Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift Battle Day Tour From Durban: $186
- Battle of Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift, 1 Day Tour from Durban: $188
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKruger National Park $4.04Durban $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.
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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryKruger 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilKruger 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyKruger 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberKruger 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) |
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.