Which place is cheaper, Kruger National Park or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Mombasa or Kruger National Park?
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 Mombasa and Kruger National Park. 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: Mombasa or Kruger National Park?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park, in northeast South Africa hugs the border of Mozambique in the east, Zimbabwe in the north, and the Crocodile River to the south. Covering nearly 20,000 square kilometers, it hosts a variety of habitats with a thriving population of wildlife and indigenous plant species, making it a safari destination like no other.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in South Africa, and The Best 10-Day Tours in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $65Kruger National Park $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $65, while the average daily cost in Kruger National Park is $80. 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 Mombasa and Kruger National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $27Kruger National Park $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $54Kruger National Park $94
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Kruger National Park
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa or Kruger National Park? 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Kruger National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Kruger National Park $24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Nyali/Bamburi: $37
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Moi Airport (MBA) to Mombasa Port: $33
- Private Transfer from Mombasa Cruise Port to Mombasa City Hotels: $33
- Private Transfer from Mombasa City to Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA): $73
- Private Transfer from Mombasa: $20
- Private Transfer from Moi Airport Mombasa (MBA) to Mombasa City: $73
- Private One-Way Mombasa Airport Transfer: $50
- Private Luxury Transfer from Mombasa Port to Mombasa Moi Airport: $33
- Private Departure Transfer in Mombasa: $80
- Mombasa to Mombasa Airport (MBA) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Mombasa Train Station Private Transfer to Kikambala/Vipingo: $59
- Mombasa Town: Private Airport Transfer to Hotel and AirBnB: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kruger National Park
Also for Kruger National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer - Skukuza Airport to Southern Sabi Sand Reserve: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Kruger National Park?
Prices for flights to both Kruger National Park and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $24Kruger National Park $16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $45
- Fort Jesus Mombasa Light and music Night Shows With Dinner.: $46
- Dhow Cruise Tour And Dinner Or Lunch Tours.: $51
- Experience Swahili Cuisine Cooking Class With a Local Host.: $80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kruger National Park
For Kruger National Park, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sabi Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $134
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Kruger National Park $21
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $170
- Mombasa Getaway with Haller Park Tours: $130
- Private Tour of Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa: $270
- The Best Of Mombasa Walking Tour: $208
- Aquatic experiences at the coastal of Mombasa-Nyali.: $90
- Day Tour To Mombasa: $145
- Day Tour to Tsavo East National Park from Mombasa: $268
- Day tour to Tsavo east national park from Mombasa: $279
- Dolphin tour and snorkeling in kisite marine park / wasini island: $70
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $30
- Full Day Mombasa Excursion Tour : $133
- Full Day Private Mombasa Tour: $189
Tours and Activities in Kruger National Park
For Kruger National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kruger National Park Sunrise Half-Day Safari Tour: $174
- 3-Day Safari Tour and Treehouse Stay: $688
- Kruger Safari Tour - Morning Half Day: $51
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.99Kruger National Park $4.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Kruger National Park, we can see that Kruger National Park is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Kruger National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kruger National Park than you might in Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Kruger National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Kruger National Park?
Kruger National Park has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Mombasa experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Mombasa or Kruger National Park in the Summer?
Both Kruger National Park and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year.
Mombasa is cooler than Kruger National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 24°C (75°F) in July, and Kruger National Park fluctuates around 28°C (83°F)in January.
In July, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Kruger National Parkin January. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryMombasa 24°C (75°F)Kruger National Park 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Kruger National Park in the Autumn?
Both Kruger National Park and Mombasa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Kruger National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Mombasa in October average around 26°C (79°F), and Kruger National Park averages at about 24°C (76°F)in April.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Kruger National Parkin April. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilMombasa 26°C (79°F)Kruger National Park 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Kruger National Park in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Kruger National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round.
In January, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Kruger National Parkin July. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 27°C (81°F), and Kruger National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In January, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Kruger National Parkin July. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyMombasa 27°C (81°F)Kruger National Park 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Kruger National Park in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Kruger National Park. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Kruger National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Kruger National Park fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in October.
Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the spring. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Kruger National Parkin October. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberMombasa 27°C (81°F)Kruger National Park 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Kruger National Park and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Kruger National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.