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.
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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.
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Nairobi Prices
Kenya PricesMasai Mara Prices
Kenya Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNairobi $68Masai Mara $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Masai Mara is $133. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNairobi $12Masai Mara $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNairobi $24Masai 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Nairobi $11Masai Mara $47
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$9.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi
Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer in Nairobi Kenya: $20
- Nairobi Airport Transfer, Hotel Pick up and Drop Off: $20
- Safe and Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $20
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to City Hotels or Wilson Airport: $24
- Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
- Nairobi Airport One Way Private Transfer: $27
- Nairobi Airport Transfers to Wilson Airport or City Hotels: $28
- Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $28
- From Wilson Airport: Nairobi private transfer in a car (3 pax): $30
- Nairobi Airport One Way Transfers: $30
- Safe Private Airport transfer in Nairobi: $30
- Professional Airport Transfer Service in Nairobi: $33
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
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Food Meals for one dayNairobi $13Masai Mara $57
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$5.02
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 & Local Market Tour: $55
- Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
- Cooking Lesson of Local Food $ Lunch: $68
- Dinner/Lunch Eating Experience Carnivore Restaurant & Transport: $75
- Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
- Nairobi Nightlife and Safari Park Hotel Dinner Experience: $90
- Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $100
- Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100
- Traditional Kikuyu Cooking Class In My Village: $100
- Safari Cat Dancers Show And Dinner: $120
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Nairobi $46Masai Mara $60
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$15
Tours and Activities in Nairobi
For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Nairobi Heritage Tour with Key Landmarks: $10
- Private Tour in Kibera the Largest Slum: $15
- Kibera Slum Tour with a Local: $15
- Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
- Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
- Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
- Nairobi’s ultimate Walking City Tour with Hotel pickup: $20
- Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
- Nairobi Artistic and Literary Walking Tour Experience: $22
- Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
- Historical City Walk Tour in Nairobi: $23
- Giraffe Center Karen Blixen and Kobe Beads Day Tour: $25
Tours and Activities in Masai Mara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Masai Mara are as follows:
- Amboseli N Park Day tour with optional Maasai village visit: $200
- Amboseli national park full day tour: $160
- Bomas of Kenya cultural Dance and Acrobatic Show Tour: $64
- Carnivore Restaurant Nairobi Eating Experience with Transport: $145
- Cultural Day Tour to Bomas of Kenya Nairobi: $51
- David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Half-Day Tour in Nairobi: $55
- Day Tour to Maasai Mara Reserve From Nairobi: $225
- Day tour to Giraffe center and Karen Blixen Nairobi: $95
- Giraffe Center Guided Tour from Nairobi: $65
- Giraffe Center and David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage Tour: $72
- Guided "Matatu" Experience Half Day Tour Within Nairobi.: $60
- Half Day Giraffe Center,Baby Elephant&Karen Blixxen Guided Tour: $70
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNairobi $16Masai Mara $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Nairobi
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Nairobi:
- Food and Wine Tasting Experience at Five Senses Restaurant: $155
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?.
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.