Should I Visit Masai Mara or Durban for Vacation? Which is Better? Which is Cheaper? Which is More Expensive?

Should you visit Masai Mara or Durban?

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 Durban. 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 Durban?

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.

Durban

The third largest city in South Africa, Durban sits on the east coast of the country in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. The city also has the country's most active port. The city's comfortable weather and vast beaches make it one of the country's major tourist centers. There's a population of about 3.5 million in the entire metropolitan area that spreads over 2,295 square kilometers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, The Best Wildlife Tours to Kenya, The Best Safaris in South Africa, and The Best Budget Safaris in South Africa.

Which place is cheaper, Durban 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.

Masai Mara Prices
Kenya Prices

Durban Prices
South Africa Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Masai Mara $133

Durban $63

The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $133, while the average daily cost in Durban is $63. 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 Durban in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Masai Mara $37

Durban $24
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Masai Mara $74

Durban $48

Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Durban

Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Durban? 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: Masai Mara Hotel Prices and Durban Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Masai Mara $47

Durban $13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:

Airport Transfers: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

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

Private Transfers - Minibus - Durban Arrivals and Departures: $43
1-3 Passenger Private Durban - Airport Transfer: $45
Durban Cruise Ship Transfers : $46
Private Sedan Transfers - Durban King Shaka: $46
Durban Airport (DUR) to Durban - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Business Car: $78
Arrival Private Transfer from Durban Airport DUR to Durban City by Minivan: $84
Private transfers from King Shaka Airport: $106

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Durban?

Prices for flights to both Durban 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

Food Meals for one day

Masai Mara $57

Durban $27

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Masai Mara $60

Durban $16

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Masai Mara are as follows:

1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $50
5 hours Nairobi national park Private tour: $150
3-Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
5 Hour Private Tour Nairobi National Park Or Evening Game Drive: $100
6 Hours Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center Tour: $66
Airport Layover Tour to Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center: $225
Amboseli National Park Day Tour from Nairobi: $150
Day Tour To Hells Gate and optional boat ride at Lake Naivasha: $116
Day Tour at Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre: $78
Day Tour to Amboseli National park and Masai Village Tour: $195
Day Tour to Hell’s Gate And Lake Naivasha: $124
Day Tour to Karura Forest Nature Trail: $100

Tours and Activities in Durban

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Durban.

30-Minute Harbor Boat Cruise: $5.76
Durban Point Waterfront: Luxury Canal Boat Cruise: $7.85
Luxury Canal Boat Cruise - Fun Things Durban Ushaka: $8.32
1-Hour Boat Cruise from Wilson's Wharf: $8.37
Pontoon Boat Harbor Cruise: $9.94
Luxury Harbour Ocean Boat Cruise: $11
Magical Gondola Night Boat Cruise in Durban: $11
Durban Walking Tour: $32
Durban Half-Day City Tour - Golden Mile, Botanical Gardens: $48
Durban City Sightseeing Tour: $49
Local Markets and Culture Guided Walking Tour: $58
Durban Shore Excursion: Private Small Group Durban City Tour: $70

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Masai Mara $26

Durban $12

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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 Durban Expensive?.

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Masai Mara vs. Durban for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Masai Mara or Durban?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Masai Mara or Durban?

Masai Mara

Durban

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Masai Mara?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Durban

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Durban?

Food

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Tours and Activities in Durban

Alcohol

Related Articles for Masai Mara

Related Articles for Durban

A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Masai Mara vs. Durban for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Masai Mara or Durban?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Where Should I go: Masai Mara or Durban?

Masai Mara

Durban

Which place is cheaper, Durban or Masai Mara?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Durban

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Durban

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Durban?

Food

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Tours and Activities in Durban

Alcohol

Related Articles for Masai Mara

Related Articles for Durban

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