Which place is cheaper, Cape Town or Serengeti National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Serengeti National Park or Cape Town?
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 Cape Town, 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 Cape Town?
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.
Cape Town
Picture your travel bucket list. Is Cape Town on it? Yes, most people dream of visiting the "Mother City" of South Africa. As one of the most iconic places in the world, Cape Town is a world-class cosmopolitan city full of bustling nightlife, historical backdrops and a large gay community.
Cape Town is the most southern city in Africa with seasons turned upside down. In the southern hemisphere they experience the summer from December to February. During these months days can be hot and dry so be sure to gather in the shade and wear plenty of sunscreen. The winter from June to August is full of rainy days and cold nights.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Camping Tours in South Africa, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in South Africa.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySerengeti National Park $123Cape Town $96
The average daily cost (per person) in Serengeti National Park is $123, while the average daily cost in Cape Town is $96. 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 Cape Town in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSerengeti National Park $56Cape Town $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSerengeti National Park $112Cape Town $76
Compare Hotels in Serengeti National Park and Cape Town
Looking for a hotel in Serengeti National Park or Cape Town? 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: Cape Town Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Serengeti National Park $21Cape Town $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cape Town
Also for Cape Town, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers To Hermanus: $217
- Airport Transport Shuttle Transfer to Camps Bay Cape Town: $17
- Airport transfers: $22
- 1 Day Durbanville Valley Wine Tasting Tour with Private Transfers: $176
- 1 Day Explore Cape Town Like a Local with Private Guided Transfer: $146
- 1 Day Helderberg Valley Winelands Tour with Private Transfers: $228
- 1 Day Hemel en Aarde Whale Coast Wine Tour with Private Transfers: $201
- 1 Day Wine Lover Wander Connoisseur Tour with Private Transfers: $176
- 1-3 Passenger Private Arrival & Departure Cape Town - Airport Transfers: $53
- 1-3 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $27
- 1.Cape Town Airport Transfer (&Private tour trips during yo Stay): $16
- 4-7 Passenger Private Cape Town - Airport Transfer: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Serengeti National Park or Cape Town?
Prices for flights to both Cape Town 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
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Food Meals for one daySerengeti National Park $38Cape Town $41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- African Cooking with a Chef Founder: $27
- Dinner At Mandela's - Cultural Township Dinner Experience: $27
- Cape Malay Cooking with a Chef Founder: $28
- Cape Malay Cooking Class in Bo-Kaap: $40
- 3-Hour Malay Cooking Class & Lunch in Bo-Kaap: $43
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $54
- Sunset Champagne Cruise and 3-Course Dinner: $56
- Bo-Kapp Walking Tour and Malay Cooking Class: $59
- African Dinner, Drumming Experience with Transfer: $60
- Authentic African Cuisine Cooking Experience: $61
- Cape Town Food tour (Includes all food) 4hrs: $75
- Private Cooking Class and Meal in Local Wynberg Cape Town Home: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Serengeti National Park $52Cape Town $23
Tours and Activities in Cape Town
For Cape Town, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Muizenberg to Kalk Bay: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $2.99
- District Six Museum Skip-the-Line Entrance Ticket: $3.20
- Skip the Line: District Six Museum Admission Ticket: $3.52
- Kirstenbosch: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.99
- V&A Waterfront: Seal & Harbour Cruise: $4.00
- Hop-On Hop-Off Cape Town Canal Cruise: $4.07
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Down): $4.24
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Ticket (One way Up): $4.24
- Meandering through Mouille Point: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $4.99
- Sea Point Promenade: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.13
- Cape Point Flying Dutchman Funicular Return Ticket : $5.22
- Private Guided Tour of Cape Town Diamond Museum: $5.33
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySerengeti National Park $15Cape Town $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Cape Town
Also in Cape Town, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Experience South African Craft Rum tasting and distillery tour in Cape Town: $9.36
- African drum show & wine tasting at Silvermist: $19
- Drumstruck at Silvermist. Live African Drum Show & Wine tasting: $24
- Wine Tasting & Storytelling with SA Tapas add-on: $27
- From 3 Regions Wine Tour with 3 Estates, 15 Wines: $37
- Wine Tour: Paarl, Franschhoek & Stellenbosch incl 3 wineries: $38
- Three Region Wine Tour: $43
- Cape Winelands and Wine Tasting Full Day Tour: $46
- half day wine tour & Safaris[Morning /Afternoon]: $48
- Stellenbosch: Half-Day Wine Tour: $50
- Fullday Wine Tour: $51
- Stellenbosch Wine Tour half day from Cape Town: $53
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Serengeti National Park and Cape Town, we can see that Serengeti National Park is more expensive. And not only is Cape Town much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cape Town would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cape Town 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 Serengeti National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Serengeti National Park than you might in Cape Town.
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 Cape Town 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.