Which place is cheaper, Christchurch 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 Christchurch?
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 Christchurch. 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 Christchurch?
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.
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.
The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.
Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.
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Masai Mara Prices
Kenya PricesChristchurch Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMasai Mara $132Christchurch $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $132, while the average daily cost in Christchurch is $111. 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 Christchurch in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMasai Mara $37Christchurch $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMasai Mara $74Christchurch $92
Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Christchurch
Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Christchurch? 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: Christchurch Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Masai Mara $47Christchurch $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Christchurch
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Christchurch:
- Arrival Transfer: Christchurch Airport to Christchurch Central City Hotels: $21
- Christchurch INTL Airport Van Transfer to City Minimum 4 persons: $24
- CHC Airport to Downtown|Hotel Private Transfer: $26
- Christchurch International Airport To/From City Center Transfer: $29
- Christchurch to Christchurch Airport(CHC)- Departure Transfer: $46
- Airport Transfer in Christchurch Luxury Chauffeur Experience: $60
- Private Airport Transfer Vice Versa in Christchurch by SUV: $66
- Christchurch INTL Airport Car Transfer to City max 4 persons: $68
- Christchurch Premium Airport and Departure Transfers: $86
- Christchurch Airport (CHC) to Christchurch - Round-Trip Transfer: $92
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Christchurch to Airport CHC in Business Car: $95
- Christchurch Airport Transfers : Airport CHC to Christchurch in Business Car: $95
Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Christchurch?
Prices for flights to both Christchurch 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 $57Christchurch $50
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Masai Mara.
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner with Pick Up: $125
- Nairobi Private Carnivore Dinner Experience: $125
- Nairobi City Walking Tour with Lunch/Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $165
- Nairobi National Museum and Carnivore Restaurant Food Tour: $275
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Christchurch
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Christchurch.
- Discover Christchurch Hidden Gems Morning Food Tour: $98
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Masai Mara $60Christchurch $16
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: $38
- Cultural Day Tour to Bomas of Kenya Nairobi: $51
- Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
- Nairobi: Private Cultural Tour to Bomas of Kenya: $60
- Guided "Matatu" Experience Half Day Tour Within Nairobi.: $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
- 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 Christchurch
Here are a few actual costs in Christchurch for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve Day Entry Ticket: $20
- Scenic Chairlift Ride at Christchurch Adventure Park: $20
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tour by Vintage Tram: $23
- Christchurch Gondola Ride Ticket: $26
- International Antarctic Centre General Admission Ticket: $42
- Christchurch Tram City Tour & Punting Combo: $45
- Christchurch Gondola and Tram City Tour Combo: $45
- Gondola Ticket and Punt Ride on the Avon River: $46
- Te Ara Walking Tour Explore Māori Culture along the Avon River: $51
- Waka Paddling Experience on the Avon River: $57
- Discover Christchurch Sightseeing Tour: $60
- Tram, Punt and Gondola Ride Combo Ticket: $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMasai Mara $26Christchurch $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Christchurch
Also in Christchurch, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waipara Wine Tour from Christchurch - including Lunch & Tastings: $114
- From Guided Local Wine Tours in Waipara: $116
- Waipara Valley Winery Tour Wine Tastings and Scenic Views: $218
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Masai Mara and Christchurch, we can see that Masai Mara is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Masai Mara is in Africa and Christchurch is in Pacific, 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 Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Masai Mara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Masai Mara than you might in Christchurch.
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 Christchurch 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.