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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $61, while the average daily cost in Masai Mara is $107. 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 $11
    Masai Mara $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $22
    Masai Mara $72
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 $10
    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
    $9.10

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
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $20
  • Private Transfer from Airport to Accommodation: $22
  • Nairobi Airport Transfers- Arrivals & Private Transfers: $24
  • Nairobi NBO Airport One-Way Transfers: $25
  • Nairobi Airport One-Way Transfers: $25
  • Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
  • Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
  • Nairobi Suburb Arrival Transfer: $30
  • Airport Transfers within Nairobi: $30
  • Nairobi airport to city transfer: $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:

  • Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $23
  • Airport Transfers: $40

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 $7.36
    Masai Mara $32
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

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


  • Dinner for Two
    $4.93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

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

  • Carnivore experience Lunch Or Dinner (Optional Bomas of kenya ): $40
  • Nairobi:Carnivore Restaurant Dinner and Pub Crawling.: $48
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour : $54
  • Enjoy Traditional Kenyan Food Cooking Class With a Host.: $54
  • Local Market Tour and Traditional Meal Cooking Class: $54
  • Nairobi Private Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class with Lunch: $55
  • Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $80
  • Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner Experience: $80
  • Carnivore Dinner Experience: $80
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Experience: Lunch Or Dinner: $84
  • Barbecue Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $85

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.
    Nairobi $45
    Masai Mara $59
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:

  • Ebike adventure Hire Nairobi (Electric mountain bike hire): $15
  • Nairobi cultural shopping experience: $18
  • Nairobi City;culture and historical guided tour: $19
  • Nairobi City Walking and Historic Tours: $19
  • Nairobi;Downtown walking tour: $20
  • vibrant kibera slum tour: $20
  • Nairobi City: Walking tour, story telling and travel adv: $20
  • Nairobi City tour: $25
  • Half-Day Tour Giraffe Center and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: $25
  • Nairobi city walking tour : $25
  • Nairobi City Tour: $25
  • Elephant orphanage, Giraffe center, kobe beads tour: $25

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
  • 4 Days group Landcruiser safari to Masaai Mara and Lake Nakuru: $270
  • Day Tour To Mt. Kenya : $285
  • Day tour to Hell's gate and optional boat ride at lake naivasha : $98
  • Full Day Private Tour to Nairobi National Park and Giraffe center: $39
  • 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: $38
  • Half Day Tour Elephant Orphanage,Giraffe CenterKobe Beads Factory: $55
  • Karen Blixen Museum & Giraffe Centre Half day tour: $90
  • Lake Naivasha Private Day Tour with Boat Ride from Nairobi: $145
  • Lake Nakuru National Park Day Tour from Nairobi: $75

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $15
    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?.