Which place is cheaper, Lake Nakuru or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moshi or Lake Nakuru?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Lake Nakuru, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Moshi or Lake Nakuru?
Moshi
Moshi is a town in northern Tanzania, near the Kenyan border. It’s known as a gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park, home to Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. Trails run up the mountain's cloud-ringed, snow-capped dome, through alpine forests and meadows home to elephants and leopards. The noticeably clean capital of the densely populated Kilimanjaro region sits at the foot of Mt Kilimanjaro and makes a good introduction to the splendors of the north. It's a low-key place with an appealing blend of African and Asian influences and a self-sufficient, prosperous feel, due in large part to its being the center of one of Tanzania's major coffee-growing regions. Virtually all visitors are here to climb Mt Kilimanjaro or to recover after having done so. Yet there’s much more to do, including cultural tours and hikes on the mountain’s lower slopes.
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru is one of Kenya's 23 National Parks, also qualifying as one of the two Premium Parks in the country. Located in central Kenya, about 90 miles west of Nairobi, the area encompasses a large lake as well as the surrounding wooded grasslands. A naturalist's paradise, Lake Nakuru is home to wildlife like flamingos, other water birds, and the black and white rhinoceros.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $67Lake Nakuru $116
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $67, while the average daily cost in Lake Nakuru is $116. 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 Moshi and Lake Nakuru in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $35Lake Nakuru $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $70Lake Nakuru $90
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Lake Nakuru
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Lake Nakuru? 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: Moshi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $16Lake Nakuru $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Nairobi: Bus Transfer from/to Moshi: $30
- Sunset Chill with Drinks and Roundtrip Transfer: $15
- Moshi : Kikuletwa Hot Springs Day Trip with Transfers: $172
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Transfer/Taxi Services: $53
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $107
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer : $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer: $50
- From Nairobi: 8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb with Transfers: $442
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Lake Nakuru?
Prices for flights to both Lake Nakuru and Moshi 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 dayMoshi $19Lake Nakuru $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Kili View Tanzanian Cooking Class: $26
- Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi with a Local Family: $78
- Private Market Tour and Tanzanian Cooking Class in Moshi: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $18Lake Nakuru $36
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Day Trip Tour to Arusha National Park from Arusha town: $282
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day Hike tour- ISMANI TOURS AND SAFARIS: $108
- #1. Best Kilimanjaro Day hike Tour-Machame Route-ISMANI: $115
- 1 Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour & Picnic Hot Lunch: $190
- 1 Day Tour Covering Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation: $220
- 1 Day Tour to Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour: $128
- 1 day tour hike mount kilimanjaro through marangu route: $240
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- 1Day Tour Materuni Waterfall and Kikuletwa Chemka Hotspring: $172
- 1_Day Bike Tour to Chemka Hotspring: $80
- 2-Days Kilimanjaro Hikes and Materuni Waterfalls Tour: $695
- 3-Day Camping Adventure in Rau Forest Reserve, Arusha: $1,584
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.24Lake Nakuru $7.63
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Lake Nakuru, we can see that Lake Nakuru is more expensive. And not only is Moshi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moshi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moshi 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 Lake Nakuru would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lake Nakuru than you might in Moshi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moshi Expensive? and Is Lake Nakuru 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.