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

Should you visit Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

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 Ouarzazate. 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 Ouarzazate?

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.

Ouarzazate

Morocco can be quite an energetic country, but if you're looking for more of a quiet getaway, consider Ouarzazate. Small by Moroccan standards, this town is built up mostly around a main street – the Avenue Mohammad V. Ouarzazate. The name "Ouarzazate" comes from the Berber language meaning "without noise" or "without confusion." It was once a crossroad for a African traders traveling to northern cities in Morocco and Europe. Today, Ouarzazate is the largest town in the Moroccan Sahara, and its central location serves as a good home base touring the rest of Morocco.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Morocco, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Morocco.

Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate 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

Ouarzazate Prices
Morocco Prices
Average Daily Cost Per person, per day

Masai Mara $133

Ouarzazate $54

The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $133, while the average daily cost in Ouarzazate is $54. 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 Ouarzazate in more detail.

Accommodation

Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person

Masai Mara $37

Ouarzazate $21
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room

Masai Mara $74

Ouarzazate $42

Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Ouarzazate

Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Ouarzazate? 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 Ouarzazate Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation

Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.

Masai Mara $48

Ouarzazate $3.38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:

Airport Transfers: $40
Nairobi Airport (NBO) Private Transfer to Nairobi City/Hotels: $17

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ouarzazate are as follows:

Taxi Ride

$1.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Ouarzazate:

Private Ouarzazate Airport Transfer: $30
Ouarzazate Airport: Private Transfer: $42
"Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer": $115
Private Transfert Between Marrakech & Ouarzazate: $171
Private Transfer between Ouarzazate & Marrakech: $312

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

Prices for flights to both Ouarzazate 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

Ouarzazate $28

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Ouarzazate:

Dinner for Two

$11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ouarzazate.

Private Berber Cooking Class at Fint Oasis with Lunch: $42
Oases Fint Tour With Dinner: $63
Zagora 2 Days Sahara Desert Tour with Dinner and Desert Camp: $78

Entertainment

Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.

Masai Mara $61

Ouarzazate $11

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
1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $50
Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center Half Day Tour: $50
Safari Walk Tour with Animal Orphanage in Nairobi: $50
Day tour to Hell's gate and optional boat ride at lake naivasha : $54
Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
Giraffe Centre and Animal Orphanage Guided Tour In Nairobi. : $60
Half-Day Private Cultural Tour to Bomas of Kenya: $65
Nairobi City Tour: $68
Cultural Day Tour to Bomas of Kenya Nairobi: $75
Nairobi City Tour and Afternoon Visit to Bomas of Kenya: $80
Half Day Private Tour to Lake Nakuru National Park: $80

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Here are a few actual costs in Ouarzazate for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

Half Day Private Walking Tour in Sidiflah Gorges: $19
Royal Private Tour of Ksar Ait Ben Haddou: $21
Ait-Ben-Haddou - City Tour: $21
1 Hour Horse Riding Adventure in Ait Ben Haddou: $26
Guided tour of the Palmerie de Skoura by electric mountain bike : $42
Ouarzazate Quad Tour: Discover Aït Ben Haddou’s Wonders: $52
Private Quad Experience in the Ouarzazate Desert: $58
Marrakech Palm Grove 2-Hour Quad Biking Adventure.: $58
3 Days - 2 Nights Desert Tour From Marrakech with Camel Ride: $80
3-Day Desert Adventure: Ouarzazate to Merzouga: $100
Private One Day Tour AIT BENHADDOU and TELOUET via Ouarzazate: $105
3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert: $105

Alcohol

Alcohol Drinks for one day

Masai Mara $26

Ouarzazate -

How are these travel costs calculated?

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

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 Ouarzazate Expensive?.

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

Should you visit Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

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

Where Should I go: Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

Masai Mara

Ouarzazate

Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Masai Mara?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Ouarzazate

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Alcohol

Related Articles for Masai Mara

Related Articles for Ouarzazate

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

Should you visit Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

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

Where Should I go: Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

Masai Mara

Ouarzazate

Which place is cheaper, Ouarzazate or Masai Mara?

Accommodation

Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Ouarzazate

Local Transportation

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ouarzazate

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ouarzazate

Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Ouarzazate?

Food

Typical Food Prices in Ouarzazate

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ouarzazate

Entertainment

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Tours and Activities in Ouarzazate

Alcohol

Related Articles for Masai Mara

Related Articles for Ouarzazate

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