Which place is cheaper, Masai Mara or Moshi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Moshi or Masai Mara?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Moshi or Masai Mara, 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 Masai Mara?
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.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Tanzania, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Tanzania, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoshi $71Masai Mara $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Moshi is $71, while the average daily cost in Masai Mara is $111. 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 Masai Mara in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoshi $37Masai Mara $38
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoshi $74Masai Mara $76
Compare Hotels in Moshi and Masai Mara
Looking for a hotel in Moshi or Masai Mara? 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 and Masai Mara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moshi $17Masai Mara $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moshi
Also for Moshi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi: $47
- Kilimanjaro Airport Private Transfer from/to Moshi : $49
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer to Moshi/Arusha: $53
- Airport transfer to Arusha/Moshi: $55
- Transfer Services: Kilimanjaro Airport (jro) Moshi, & Arusha: $60
- Private Transfer from Moshi to Arusha: $250
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
- Airport Transfers: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Moshi or Masai Mara?
Prices for flights to both Masai Mara 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
-
Food Meals for one dayMoshi $20Masai Mara $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moshi
For Moshi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dee's Private Cooking Class in Tanzania: $50
- Private Traditional Cooking Class. : $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Masai Mara.
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moshi $19Masai Mara $61
Tours and Activities in Moshi
For Moshi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Guided City tour of Moshi: $20
- Town tour and Local Markets tour: $27
- Private guided tour to the night lifestyle of Moshi town: $30
- Materuni: Coffee Plantation Tour: $40
- Day Tour Around Moshi Tanzania: $50
- 1-Day Moshi Villages bike tour: $50
- Materuni Waterfall and Coffee Plantation Half Day Tour: $55
- Chemka Hot Springs Tour from Moshi: $59
- Moshi Materuni Waterfalls, Chemka Hot Springs, & Coffee Tour: $60
- Private Materuni Waterfall & Coffee Tour. : $61
- MATERUNI WATERFALLS AND COFFEE TOUR: $64
- Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour with Lunch: $65
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: $45
- 3-Days Maasai Mara Camping Safari on 4x4 Land Cruiser Jeep: $285
- A day tour to Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center: $52
- Amboseli Day Tour from Nairobi: $220
- Day Tour To Mt. Kenya : $285
- Day tour to Hell's gate and optional boat ride at lake naivasha : $98
- Day trip - Lake Nakuru National Park Tour From Nairobi: $130
- Full Day Tour Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center: $275
- Giraffe Center, Elephant Orphanage, Beads Center & Bomas of Kenya Tour Nairobi: $115
- Half Day Giraffe Center,Baby Elephant&Karen Blixxen Guided Tour: $35
- Half Day Tour Elephant Orphanage,Giraffe CenterKobe Beads Factory: $38
- Karen Blixen Museum & Giraffe Centre Half day tour: $90
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoshi $3.45Masai Mara $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moshi and Masai Mara, we can see that Masai Mara 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 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 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 Masai Mara 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.