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

Should you visit Kruger National Park or Hibiscus Coast?

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 Hibiscus Coast can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kruger National Park or Hibiscus Coast?

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.

Hibiscus Coast

The Hibiscus Coast, or KwaZulu-Natal, is located on the southeast coast of South Africa, just south of Durban. The area is rich in beautiful beaches and lush nature reserves which offer fantastic opportunities for hiking, swimming, and other outdoor adventures. The Hibiscus Coast experiences their summer from December-February, with temperatures in the 70's Fahrenheit, making these the best months to visit.

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.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kruger National Park and Hibiscus Coast, we can see that Kruger National Park is more expensive. And not only is Hibiscus Coast much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hibiscus Coast would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hibiscus Coast 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 Hibiscus Coast.

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 Hibiscus Coast Expensive?.

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

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Hibiscus Coast in the Summer?

Both Hibiscus Coast and Kruger National Park during the summer are popular places to visit.

Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Hibiscus Coast in the summer. The daily temperature in Kruger National Park averages around 28°C (83°F) in January, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

Hibiscus Coast gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kruger National Park usually gets less rain in January than Hibiscus Coast. Kruger National Park gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 119 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Hibiscus Coast in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kruger National Park and Hibiscus Coast.

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

In April, Kruger National Park usually receives less rain than Hibiscus Coast. Kruger National Park gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Hibiscus Coast in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kruger National Park as well as Hibiscus Coast.

In July, Kruger National Park is generally around the same temperature as Hibiscus Coast. Daily temperatures in Kruger National Park average around 18°C (64°F), and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

Kruger National Park usually gets less rain in July than Hibiscus Coast. Kruger National Park gets 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kruger National Park or Hibiscus Coast in the Spring?

Both Hibiscus Coast and Kruger National Park are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Kruger National Park is a little warmer than Hibiscus Coast in the spring. The daily temperature in Kruger National Park averages around 25°C (77°F) in October, and Hibiscus Coast fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hibiscus Coast. In October, Kruger National Park usually receives less rain than Hibiscus Coast. Kruger National Park gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Hibiscus Coast receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hibiscus Coast and Kruger National Park