A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Serengeti National Park vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Serengeti National Park or Diani?

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 Diani, 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 Diani?

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.

Diani

Diani is a major beach resort town on the Indian Ocean coast of Kenya. It is located 30 kilometers south of Mombasa and the beach has been voted Africa’s leading beach destination several times. With a flawless, long stretch of white-sand beach hugged by lush forest and kissed by surfable waves, it’s no wonder Diani Beach is so popular. This resort town scores points with a diverse crowd: party people, families, honeymooners, backpackers and water-sports enthusiasts. But Diani also has some of the best accommodation in Kenya, from budget party hostels to funky kitesurfing lodges and intimate honeymoon spots. Most places are spread along the beach road, hidden behind a line of forest. When lazing in a hammock gets tiring, visit the coral mosques with their archways that overlook the open ocean, venture into the sacred forests where guides hug trees that speak in their ancestors' voices, or take in the monkey sanctuary – all are good ways to experience more of the coast than the considerable charms of sun and sand.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya, and The Best Budget Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Serengeti National Park?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Serengeti National Park is $116, while the average daily cost in Diani is $55. 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 Diani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Serengeti National Park $53
    Diani $23
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Serengeti National Park $106
    Diani $46
Compare Hotels in Serengeti National Park and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Serengeti National Park or Diani? 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 Serengeti National Park


Hotels in Diani


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: Diani Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Serengeti National Park $20
    Diani $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Diani

Also for Diani, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $72
  • Private transfer to Diani Beach from Mombasa: $65
  • airport hotel transfer: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Serengeti National Park or Diani?

Prices for flights to both Diani 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 day
    Serengeti National Park $36
    Diani $20

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Diani

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

  • Diani Beach: Special Dinner with a Local: $50
  • A ROMANTIC BEACH BONFIRE DINNER SET UP: $58

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Serengeti National Park $49
    Diani $15

Tours and Activities in Diani

For Diani, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Market and Street Food Walking Tour: $20
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $27
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $28
  • Samburu: Traditional Activities Experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Sunset Cruise along Kongo River on Wooden Canoe boat: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $32
  • Mangrove Sunset Canoe Tour with Local Guide: $35
  • Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
  • Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $42
  • Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Serengeti National Park $14
    Diani $8.91

Sample the Local Flavors in Diani

Also in Diani, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Diani,Mombasa Nightlife And Pub Crawling Guided Tour.: $44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Serengeti National Park and Diani, we can see that Serengeti National Park is more expensive. And not only is Diani much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Diani would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Diani 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 Diani.

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 Diani Expensive?.