A Travel Price Comparison for Kenya Lake Nakuru vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Lake Nakuru or Diani?

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 Diani. 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 Diani?

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.

Diani

Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.

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 Kenya, and The Best Camping Tours in Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Lake Nakuru?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Lake Nakuru is $113, while the average daily cost in Diani is $53. 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 Diani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lake Nakuru $44
    Diani $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lake Nakuru $88
    Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Lake Nakuru and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Lake Nakuru or Diani? 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 Lake Nakuru


Hotels in Diani


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: Diani Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lake Nakuru $40
    Diani $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

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

  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $72
  • From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $63

Is it cheaper to fly into Lake Nakuru or Diani?

Prices for flights to both Diani 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Lake Nakuru $40
    Diani $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lake Nakuru $36
    Diani $14

Tours and Activities in Diani

For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185
  • 3 nights Vipingo Golf Safari & Flight Tour: $1,575
  • Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
  • Diani Beach: 2-Hours Glass Bottom Boat cruise: $22
  • Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $37
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $30
  • Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $57
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $25
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49
  • Full Day Shimba hills tour with Shifoga nature trail: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lake Nakuru $7.46
    Diani $8.72

Sample the Local Flavors in Diani

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

  • Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $43


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

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 Diani Expensive?.