A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Drakensberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Drakensberg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Drakensberg can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Drakensberg?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

Drakensberg

Drakensberg, whose name derives from the Dutch and means "mountains of the dragons," is a mountainous region which encompasses a vast amount of South Africa's interior, extending into neighboring countries as well. It hugs the eastern border of Lesotho, attracting visitors for hiking, backpacking, and admiring the natural wonders of the landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.


Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, while the average daily cost in Drakensberg is $90. 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 Nairobi and Drakensberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Drakensberg $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Drakensberg $74
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Drakensberg

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Drakensberg? 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Drakensberg


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: Nairobi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Drakensberg $68
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.43

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transport from Nairobi transfer Masai Mara gates Sekekani Talek: $250
  • Safe and Executive Airport transfer in Nairobi: $40
  • Return Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $120
  • Private Transfers from Nairobi Airport to Hotels: $170
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Naivasha: $70
  • Private Transfer from Nairobi to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $83
  • Private Transfer from Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO) to Nairobi: $83
  • Private Sightseeing Tour in Lake Nakuru with Transfer Included: $189
  • Private Road transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli: $150
  • Private Road Transfer from Nairobi to Amboseli national park: $197
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
  • Private Luxury airport Taxi transfer Services Nairobi JKIA to City Hotels: $50

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Drakensberg?

Prices for flights to both Drakensberg and Nairobi 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
    Nairobi $7.63
    Drakensberg $16
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.11

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Carnivore Restaurant: Lunch or Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $21
  • Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $47
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $53
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $53
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
  • Carnivore Resturant Dinner Experience : $68
  • Private Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $76
  • Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $87
  • The Safari Cats Show Tickets & Buffet Dinner: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $47
    Drakensberg $8.58
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $16

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 3 Days 2 Nights in Maasai Mara Safari Tour: $220
  • Amboseli Day tour from Nairobi Private tour: $290
  • Day Tour Amboseli Park From Nairobi: $180
  • Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Centre Tour: $95
  • Half day tour to Elephant orphanage & Giraffe Centre Nairobi: $95
  • Nairobi National Park Drive in 4*4 Landcruiser: $200
  • Nairobi National Park Group Joining Daily Tour: $138
  • The 42 Stories -Kenya Culture and Walk Experience with a Local: $36
  • Tour Giraffe Centre, David Shedrick, Karen Blixen & city tour.: $110
  • Tour Hells gate National park day tour: $150
  • half Day TOURS/NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK/ELEPHANT & GIRAFFE CENTRE: $90
  • "Nairobi's Ultimate Wildlife & Cultural Adventure: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Drakensberg $3.72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Drakensberg, we can see that Drakensberg is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi 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 Drakensberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Drakensberg than you might in Nairobi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Drakensberg Expensive?.