Which place is cheaper, Arusha or Serengeti National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Serengeti National Park or Arusha?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Serengeti National Park or Arusha, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Serengeti National Park or Arusha?
Serengeti National Park
Sprawling across 5,700 square miles of northern Tanzania in East Africa, Serengeti National Park makes up one of the oldest ecosystems in the world-one whose climate, vegetation, and fauna has barely changed over the past million years. Today the park is a major wildlife destination, especially during the Great Migration when over a million hoofed animals are on the move.
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Photography Tours in Tanzania, and The Best Camping Tours in Tanzania.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySerengeti National Park $123Arusha $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Serengeti National Park is $123, while the average daily cost in Arusha is $176. 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 Serengeti National Park and Arusha in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSerengeti National Park $56Arusha $129
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSerengeti National Park $112Arusha $258
Compare Hotels in Serengeti National Park and Arusha
Looking for a hotel in Serengeti National Park or Arusha? 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: Arusha Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Serengeti National Park $21Arusha $13
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers, Arusha Airport and Kilimanjaro JRO: $70
- Airport transfer: $45
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
- Tanzanite Museum and Shopping Tour with Transfer: $40
- Kilimanjaro Airport Transfer | Pick Up & Drop up | With BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS LTD: $100
- Private Roundtrip Transfer from Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.: $50
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport (KIA): $130
- Transfer Around Moshi and Arusha in Tanzania: $75
Is it cheaper to fly into Serengeti National Park or Arusha?
Prices for flights to both Arusha and Serengeti National Park 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 daySerengeti National Park $38Arusha $24
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking and Sewing & Jewelry Workshops in Arusha: $27
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Africa health cuisine food tour: $105
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Serengeti National Park $52Arusha $45
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Street Food and Community Walking Tour: $25
- Coffee making tour in Arusha: $27
- Arusha Town Tour: $30
- Arusha Nightlife Tour : $30
- Mountain Bike Tour of the Foothills of Mount Meru: $30
- Cycling toure in Arusha villages: $31
- Tanzanite experience tour - Tanzanite shopping in Arusha: $35
- Private Meru Coffee Tour in Nkoaranga: $35
- Private Local Market Tour in Tengeru: $35
- Full-Day Sightseeing Tour in Arusha : $35
- Sunset Tour in Arusha: $36
- Kingstone asilia and Coffee tour : $40
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySerengeti National Park $15Arusha $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Serengeti National Park and Arusha, we can see that Arusha is more expensive. And not only is Serengeti National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Serengeti National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Serengeti National Park 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 Arusha would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Arusha than you might in Serengeti National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Serengeti National Park Expensive? and Is Arusha 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.