Which place is cheaper, Kruger National Park or Nairobi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Nairobi or Kruger National Park?
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 Kruger National Park 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 Kruger National Park?
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.
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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris 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 dayNairobi $63Kruger National Park $80
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $63, 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 Nairobi and Kruger National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Kruger National Park $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Kruger National Park $94
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Kruger National Park
Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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: Nairobi Hotel Prices and Kruger National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Kruger National Park $24
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:
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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
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 Nairobi or Kruger National Park?
Prices for flights to both Kruger National Park 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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $7.63Kruger National Park $16
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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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
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.Nairobi $47Kruger National Park $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:
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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
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 dayNairobi $16Kruger National Park $4.10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Kruger National Park, we can see that Kruger National Park 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 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 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 Kruger National Park 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.