Which place is cheaper, Port Elizabeth or Masai Mara?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Masai Mara or Port Elizabeth?
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 Port Elizabeth. 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 Port Elizabeth?
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.
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours in South Africa, and The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMasai Mara $109Port Elizabeth $49
The average daily cost (per person) in Masai Mara is $109, while the average daily cost in Port Elizabeth is $49. 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 Port Elizabeth in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMasai Mara $37Port Elizabeth $26
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMasai Mara $74Port Elizabeth $52
Compare Hotels in Masai Mara and Port Elizabeth
Looking for a hotel in Masai Mara or Port Elizabeth? 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 Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Masai Mara $48Port Elizabeth $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:
- Airport Transfers: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Masai Mara or Port Elizabeth?
Prices for flights to both Port Elizabeth 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 $33Port Elizabeth $15
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Masai Mara $61Port Elizabeth $10
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
- Half Day Tour Elephant Orphanage,Giraffe CenterKobe Beads Factory: $38
- 2-Hour Private Tour in Giraffe Centre in Nairobi: $44
- 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $50
- Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
- Guided "Matatu" Experience Half Day Tour Within Nairobi.: $60
- Giraffe Centre and Animal Orphanage Guided Tour In Nairobi. : $60
- Day Tour at Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre: $62
- Half-Day Private Cultural Tour to Bomas of Kenya: $65
- Nairobi City Tour: $68
- Giraffe Center Half-Day Guided Tour from Nairobi: $75
- Lake Nakuru National Park Day Tour from Nairobi: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMasai Mara $26Port Elizabeth $2.84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Masai Mara and Port Elizabeth, we can see that Masai Mara is more expensive. And not only is Port Elizabeth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port Elizabeth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth.
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 Port Elizabeth 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.