A Travel Price Comparison for Kenya Nairobi vs. Masai Mara for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Masai Mara?

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 Masai Mara 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 Masai Mara?

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.

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 Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Masai Mara or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Nairobi Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Masai Mara Prices
    Kenya Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nairobi $67
    Masai Mara $132

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $67, while the average daily cost in Masai Mara is $132. 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 Masai Mara in more detail.



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

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi 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.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Masai Mara


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 Masai Mara Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Masai Mara $47
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

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

  • Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi : $20
  • Private Airport Transfer and Service in Nairobi: $20
  • Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
  • Private Airport Transfers To or From Nairobi Airports.: $25
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27
  • Private One-Way Transfer from Nairobi: $27
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport or City Hotels: $28
  • From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
  • From JKIA Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax max): $35
  • Nairobi airport transfer: $35
  • Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Nairobi: $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:

  • Nairobi Airport (NBO) Private Transfer to Nairobi City/Hotels: $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Masai Mara?

Prices for flights to both Masai Mara 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 $13
    Masai Mara $57
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.00

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
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class and Dining Experience: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $55
  • Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch in Nairobi: $60
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • Nairobi dinner and safari cat dancers : $100
  • Authentic Local Kenyan Food Tour: $108
  • Carnivore Restaurant Dinner Experience in Nairobi: $125
  • Nairobi Carnivore Restaurant Lunch / Dinner Experience: $125
  • Barbecue Dinner & Entertainment in Nairobi : $135
  • Safari Park Hotel Cat Dance and Dinner Experience: $135

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Masai Mara.

  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Nairobi Private Carnivore Dinner Experience: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Masai Mara $60
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

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

  • Nairobi Historic Downtown City WalkingTour: $20
  • Nairobi Walking City Culture Tour: $20
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour : $23
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25
  • Mathare Community Slum Tour: $26
  • Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi Dinning experience-transport: $30
  • Nairobi Historical Walking Half Day Tour : $35
  • Kibera Slum Tour with Lucas : $35
  • Nairobi national park Elephant orphanage and giraffe center tour.: $38
  • Nairobi National Park Half Day Game Drive Tour With FREE Pick up: $39
  • Walking tour in Nairobi town: $40
  • Half Day Excursion Tour in Nairobi : $40

Tours and Activities in Masai Mara

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Masai Mara are as follows:

  • Kibera Slum Guided Tour from Nairobi: $97
  • 3 Days Masai Mara Budget Cruiser Shared Safari & Maasai Village: $250
  • Airport Layover Tour to Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center: $225
  • Amboseli national park full day tour: $160
  • Bomas of Kenya cultural Dance and Acrobatic Show Tour: $64
  • Day Tour Nairobi National Park Giraffe Center and Karen Blixen: $245
  • Day Tour To Mt. Kenya : $285
  • Day Tour to Amboseli National Park: $300
  • Day tour to Giraffe Center and Karen Blixen Museum: $95
  • Day tour to hell's gate National Park and Lake Naivasha Boat Ride: $265
  • Full Day Tour Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage & Giraffe Center: $275
  • Full day Crescent Island and Hell's Gate Park Cycling Tour: $295

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Masai Mara $26


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Masai Mara, we can see that Masai Mara 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 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 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 Masai Mara Expensive?.