A Travel Price Comparison for Kenya Tsavo National Park vs. Diani for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tsavo National Park or Diani?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tsavo National Park and Diani 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: Tsavo National Park or Diani?

Tsavo National Park

Tsavo National Park is one of the largest and oldest parks in Kenya, located in the central part of the country in what was once known as the Taru Desert. Human activity in the park dates back to the Late Stone Age making the park a major archaeological and historical site. Tsavo is known for having beautiful natural landscapes and excellent game viewing.

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 Wildlife Tours to Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, and The Best Adventure Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Diani or Tsavo National Park?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tsavo National Park is $114, 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 Tsavo National Park and Diani in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tsavo National Park $33
    Diani $24
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tsavo National Park $66
    Diani $48
Compare Hotels in Tsavo National Park and Diani

Looking for a hotel in Tsavo 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 Tsavo 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.
    Tsavo National Park $61
    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): $63
  • Private Transfer: Mombasa SGR Train Station to Diani Hotels: $70

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

Prices for flights to both Diani and Tsavo 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
    Tsavo National Park $38
    Diani $20

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tsavo National Park $47
    Diani $15

Tours and Activities in Diani

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

  • Diani Beach: 2-Hour Glass Bottom-Boat Cruise: $22
  • Giriama Cultural Dance Show and Local Village Tour: $25
  • Sunset Canoe Tour along the River with Mangroves: $28
  • Diani Beach: Kaya Kinondo cultural and nature experience: $30
  • Diani Beach: Kongo River Sunset Experience in a canoe: $30
  • Diani Beach: Children's Homes Visit And Donation Tour.: $36
  • Day & Night Life Tour At Diani: $40
  • Duruma Traditional Wedding Demo, Village Tour and Dance Show: $49
  • Diani Beach: Village tour on a bike with hotel pick-up: $57
  • Wasini island: Marine Park, Dolphin Watch & Village Tour: $100
  • Full Day Shimba hills tour with Shifoga nature trail: $120
  • 1 day Shimba Hills Tour: $185

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tsavo National Park $24
    Diani $9.04

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.: $43


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tsavo National Park and Diani, we can see that Tsavo 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 Tsavo National Park would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tsavo 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 Tsavo National Park Expensive? and Is Diani Expensive?.