Which place is cheaper, Kruger National Park or Port Elizabeth?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth 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: Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park?
Port Elizabeth
Located on the Indian Ocean coastline of South Africa, Port Elizabeth is a major sea port and tourist destination featuring a pleasant climate, opportunities for water sports, historical landmarks, wildlife areas, and clean beaches.
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 2-Week Tours in South Africa, The Best Bicycle Tours in South Africa, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in South Africa, and The Best Overlanding Trips in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPort Elizabeth $47Kruger National Park $85
The average daily cost (per person) in Port Elizabeth is $47, while the average daily cost in Kruger National Park is $85. 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 Port Elizabeth and Kruger National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPort Elizabeth $25Kruger National Park $50
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPort Elizabeth $50Kruger National Park $100
Compare Hotels in Port Elizabeth and Kruger National Park
Looking for a hotel in Port Elizabeth 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: Port Elizabeth Hotel Prices and Kruger National Park Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Port Elizabeth $10Kruger National Park $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kruger National Park
Also for Kruger National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer from Greater Kruger to Gauteng: $63
- Transfer - Skukuza Airport to Southern Sabi Sand Reserve: $193
Is it cheaper to fly into Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park?
Prices for flights to both Kruger National Park and Port Elizabeth 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 dayPort Elizabeth $14Kruger National Park $16
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:
- Sabie Game Reserve Sunset Safari Tour with Dinner: $144
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Port Elizabeth $9.88Kruger National Park $22
Tours and Activities in Port Elizabeth
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Port Elizabeth are as follows:
- 7 Day Garden Route Tour- Durban to Cape Town via Addo N Park: $1,669
- Addo Elephant Park Tours .: $146
- Addo Elephant Park:Safari Tour meet Big 5 to be satisfied: $182
- From 5-Day Garden Route Tour to Cape Town: $734
- HARBOUR CRUISE (EDUCATIONAL): $17
- Helicopter Charter and Scenic Tour: $532
- Port Elizabeth : City Walking Tour: $50
- Port Elizabeth City Walking Tour: $48
- Port Elizabeth tuk-tuk tour, experience the natural beauty.: $76
- Wildlife Safari and City Sightseeing Tour: $151
- SEA CRUISE: $22
- Xhosa Township/Cultural Experience: $137
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 Safari Tour - Morning Half Day: $55
- 90-minute Elephant Watching Experience in Hoedspruit : $76
- Full Day Kruger National Park Tour: $101
- Private 4x4 Safari Tour in Kruger National Park: $115
- Private Full Day Kruger National Park Safari Tour from Hoedspruit: $187
- Kruger National Park Full Day Safari Tour: $198
- 3-Day Safari Tour and Treehouse Stay: $723
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPort Elizabeth $2.72Kruger National Park $4.32
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Port Elizabeth and Kruger National Park, we can see that Kruger National Park is more expensive. And not only is Port Elizabeth much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Port Elizabeth would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Port Elizabeth 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 Port Elizabeth.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Port Elizabeth Expensive? and Is Kruger National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park in the Summer?
Both Kruger National Park and Port Elizabeth during the summer are popular places to visit.
Port Elizabeth is cooler than Kruger National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Port Elizabeth averages around 22°C (72°F) in January, and Kruger National Park fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).
Port Elizabeth usually gets less rain in January than Kruger National Park. Port Elizabeth gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JanuaryPort Elizabeth 22°C (72°F)Kruger National Park 28°C (83°F)
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Port Elizabeth and Kruger National Park.
In the autumn, Port Elizabeth is cooler than Kruger National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Port Elizabeth in April average around 19°C (66°F), and Kruger National Park averages at about 24°C (76°F).
In April, Port Elizabeth usually receives more rain than Kruger National Park. Port Elizabeth gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures AprilPort Elizabeth 19°C (66°F)Kruger National Park 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Port Elizabeth as well as Kruger National Park.
In July, Port Elizabeth is generally cooler than Kruger National Park. Daily temperatures in Port Elizabeth average around 15°C (58°F), and Kruger National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
Port Elizabeth usually gets more rain in July than Kruger National Park. Port Elizabeth gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 11 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JulyPort Elizabeth 15°C (58°F)Kruger National Park 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Port Elizabeth or Kruger National Park in the Spring?
Both Kruger National Park and Port Elizabeth are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
Port Elizabeth is cooler than Kruger National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Port Elizabeth averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Kruger National Park fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In October, Port Elizabeth usually receives more rain than Kruger National Park. Port Elizabeth gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kruger National Park receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures OctoberPort Elizabeth 17°C (63°F)Kruger National Park 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Kruger National Park and Port Elizabeth
| Port Elizabeth | Kruger National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°C (72°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 22°C (72°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | 21°C (70°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Apr | 19°C (66°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 11 mm (0.4 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (61°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 19°C (66°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | 21°C (69°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
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.