Which place is cheaper, Aqaba or Masai Mara?
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 Masai Mara or Aqaba?
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 Masai Mara and Aqaba. 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: Masai Mara or Aqaba?
Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve is a beautiful, scenic, nature reserve in southwest Kenya, just west of the capital city, Nairobi. The reserve belongs to the Masai people and was created in order to protect the land and the people and animals living on it. Masai Mara is considered to be one of the best reserves in all of Africa, offering the quintessential African safari experience.
Aqaba
Aqaba is a port city in Jordan, in fact, it is the only port city in the country. This city is located on the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea, which is in the southern part of Jordan. The city is still being developed; many of its facilities and infrastructures are being improved. The population of Aqaba is about 190,000 and the city has been key in developing Jordan's economy via trade and tourism.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Jordan, and The Best Budget Tours to Jordan.
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Masai Mara Prices
Kenya PricesAqaba Prices
Jordan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMasai Mara $132Aqaba $157
The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $132, while the average daily cost in Aqaba is $157. 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 Masai Mara and Aqaba in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMasai Mara $37Aqaba $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMasai Mara $74Aqaba $118
Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Aqaba
Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Aqaba? 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: Aqaba Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Masai Mara $47Aqaba $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aqaba
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aqaba:
- Transfer From Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Or TalaBay: $25
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Airport to Aqaba City Hotels: $27
- Private Transfer: Aqaba Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $27
- Aqaba to Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) - Departure Private Transfer: $30
- Aqaba Hussein Airport (AQJ) to Aqaba - Arrival Private Transfer: $30
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Tala bay Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $33
- Aqaba Airport Private Transfer To Aqaba: $35
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Petra hotels: $47
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba hotels: $47
- Private Transfers from Aqaba Inside Jordan and Vice Versa: $47
- Private Transfer from Aqaba Cruise Port to Aqaba City Hotels: $54
- Private Transfer from King Hussein Airport (AQJ)to Aqaba Port: $54
Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Aqaba?
Prices for flights to both Aqaba and Masai Mara 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 dayMasai Mara $57Aqaba $73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Masai Mara.
- Nairobi National Museum and Carnivore Restaurant Food Tour: $275
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Aqaba
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Aqaba.
- Traditional Bedouin Cooking Experience in the Desert: $50
- Explore Wadi Rum: Jeep Tour, Bed and Breakfast, and Dinner: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight in Bedouin Camp & Dinner: $80
- Wadi Rum Full Day Jeep Tour + Overnight & Dinner in Bedouin Camp: $106
- 2 Day Wadi Rum Tour: Traditional Dinner and Starlit Cave Camp: $115
- Half Day Sunset Tour + Dinner & overnight stay in luxury tents: $243
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Masai Mara $60Aqaba $54
Tours and Activities in Masai Mara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Masai Mara are as follows:
- Half Day Giraffe Center,Baby Elephant&Karen Blixxen Guided Tour: $34
- Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
- Guided "Matatu" Experience Half Day Tour Within Nairobi.: $60
- Nairobi: Private Cultural Tour to Bomas of Kenya: $60
- Bomas of Kenya cultural Dance and Acrobatic Show Tour: $64
- David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Half-Day Tour in Nairobi: $75
- Nairobi City Tour and Afternoon Visit to Bomas of Kenya: $80
- Half Day Private Tour to Lake Nakuru National Park: $80
- Ngong Hills Adventure from Nairobi: $85
- Nairobi City Tour with Bomas Of Kenya Visit: $90
- Full-Day Kiambethu Tea Farm Tour From Nairobi with Lunch: $90
- David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center Guided Day Tour: $95
Tours and Activities in Aqaba
Here are a few actual costs in Aqaba for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Sightseeing Bike Rental in Aqaba: $7.00
- Sea Breeze 3 Hours Snorkeling or 2 Hours Sunset Cruise: $24
- Aqaba Local Tour: $28
- 2 Hours Morning or Sunset Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum Desert Highlights: $30
- Private Walking Tour in Aqaba City with Free Meal: $30
- Wadi Rum Half-day Jeep Tour incl. sandboard, water & Bedouin tea: $30
- Glass-Bottom Boat 2-hours Tour and Coral-Reef Viewing from Aqaba: $30
- Aqaba Local Food, Market & Culture Walking Tour: $30
- Stargazing Adventure in Jordan: $30
- Half-Day Jeep Tour in Wadi Rum with Sandboarding & Sunset: $33
- Wadi Rum 3 hours sunset Jeep 4x4 Tour: $35
- 2 Hour Jeep Tour - Wadi Rum Desert & Canyon: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMasai Mara $26Aqaba $9.07
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Masai Mara and Aqaba, we can see that Aqaba is more expensive. And not only is Masai Mara much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Masai Mara is in Africa and Aqaba is in Middle East, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Masai Mara would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Masai Mara 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 Aqaba would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aqaba than you might in Masai Mara.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Masai Mara Expensive? and Is Aqaba 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.