Which place is cheaper, Dakar or Lake Nakuru?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lake Nakuru or Dakar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lake Nakuru and Dakar. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Lake Nakuru or Dakar?
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya's 23 National Parks, also qualifying as one of the two Premium Parks in the country. Located in central Kenya, about 90 miles west of Nairobi, the area encompasses a large lake as well as the surrounding wooded grasslands. A naturalist's paradise, Lake Nakuru is home to wildlife like flamingos, other water birds, and the black and white rhinoceros.
Dakar
Located in West Africa, Dakar is the capital city of Senegal and an Atlantic port on the Cap-Vert peninsula. Main attractions include the city's markets, the Dakar Grand Mosque, Goree Island, the IFAN Museum, the African Renaissance Monument, beaches, and the Senegal Zoo.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Adventure Tours to Senegal, and The Best Luxury Tours to Senegal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayLake Nakuru $116Dakar $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Nakuru is $116, while the average daily cost in Dakar is $64. 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 Lake Nakuru and Dakar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLake Nakuru $45Dakar $34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLake Nakuru $90Dakar $68
Compare Hotels in Lake Nakuru and Dakar
Looking for a hotel in Lake Nakuru or Dakar? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lake Nakuru $41Dakar $5.56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dakar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dakar:
- Transfer - DSS Airport <-> Dakar (One way): $67
- Private Transfer from Dakar to Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS): $209
- Private Transfer from Blaise Diagne Airport (DSS) to Dakar: $209
- Private Transfer DSS AIBD Airport - Dakar (two directions): $84
- DSS transfer - DAKAR (one way) : $50
- DSS Airport Transfer <-> Dakar (Return): $123
- Blaise Diagne Int Airport (DSS): Transfer to Dakar hotels: $215
- Airport Transfer - Aéroport international Blaise Diagne to Dakar: $123
Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Nakuru or Dakar?
Prices for flights to both Dakar and Lake Nakuru 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 dayLake Nakuru $41Dakar $20
Typical Food Prices in Dakar
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Dakar:
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Breakfast$4.26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dakar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dakar.
- Senegalese Street Food Tour in Dakar: $115
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Lake Nakuru $36Dakar $14
Tours and Activities in Dakar
Here are a few actual costs in Dakar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bandia Wildlife Safari- private tour. Minimum 2 people to book : $210
- Mamelles Lighthouse and Ngor Island (Walking Tour): $130
- Dakar City Tour and Goree Island: $162
- City Highlights Guided Tour: $165
- Pink Lake and Turtle Village Half-Day Tour: $200
- Private City Tour: $114
- Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $31
- Private custom tour with a local guide: $31
- Day tour in Dakar museum and monument : $145
- Day trip Goree island and Dakar city tour : $162
- From Dakar/Saly: Half-Day Bandia Wildlife Reserve Tour: $259
- From Pink Lake and Jeep Tour with Hotel Pickup: $400
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayLake Nakuru $7.63Dakar $9.33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lake Nakuru and Dakar, we can see that Lake Nakuru is more expensive. And not only is Dakar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dakar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dakar 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 Lake Nakuru would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Nakuru than you might in Dakar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lake Nakuru Expensive? and Is Dakar Expensive?.
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.