Which place is cheaper, Masai Mara or Tsavo National Park?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tsavo National Park or Masai Mara?
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 Masai Mara 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 Masai Mara?
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.
Masai Mara
Masai Mara National Reserve is a beautiful, scenic, nature reserve in southwest Kenya, just west of the capital city, Nairobi. The reserve belongs to the Masai people and was created in order to protect the land and the people and animals living on it. Masai Mara is considered to be one of the best reserves in all of Africa, offering the quintessential African safari experience.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTsavo National Park $114Masai Mara $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Tsavo National Park is $114, while the average daily cost in Masai Mara is $111. 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 Masai Mara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTsavo National Park $33Masai Mara $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTsavo National Park $66Masai Mara $76
Compare Hotels in Tsavo National Park and Masai Mara
Looking for a hotel in Tsavo National Park or Masai Mara? 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: Masai Mara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tsavo National Park $61Masai Mara $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:
- Airport Transfers: $40
- Private One-Way Nairobi Airport Transfer: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Tsavo National Park or Masai Mara?
Prices for flights to both Masai Mara 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
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Food Meals for one dayTsavo National Park $38Masai Mara $34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Masai Mara.
- Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $91
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tsavo National Park $47Masai Mara $61
Tours and Activities in Masai Mara
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Masai Mara are as follows:
- Half Day Giraffe Center,Baby Elephant&Karen Blixxen Guided Tour: $35
- Half Day Tour Elephant Orphanage,Giraffe CenterKobe Beads Factory: $38
- 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $45
- A day tour to Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center: $52
- Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
- Nairobi City Tour: $68
- Lake Nakuru National Park; Admission Ticket: $75
- Lake Nakuru National Park Day Tour from Nairobi: $75
- Karen Blixen Museum & Giraffe Centre Half day tour: $90
- Day tour to Hell's gate and optional boat ride at lake naivasha : $98
- Giraffe Center, Elephant Orphanage, Beads Center & Bomas of Kenya Tour Nairobi: $115
- Day trip - Lake Nakuru National Park Tour From Nairobi: $130
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTsavo National Park $24Masai Mara $27
When comparing the travel costs between Tsavo National Park and Masai Mara, we can see that Tsavo National Park is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Africa, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Masai Mara 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.