A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zanzibar vs. Drakensberg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zanzibar or Drakensberg?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Zanzibar and Drakensberg 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: Zanzibar or Drakensberg?

Zanzibar

Just off the coast of Tanzania lies an entrancing archipelago known as Zanzibar. This gorgeous string of islands is the land of sultans, palaces beaches and spice-filled markets. Once an important trading center, many restorations have been done in recent years to restore Zanzibar to its ancient grandeur - earning its capital city UNESCO World Heritage status in 2000.

Drakensberg

Drakensberg, whose name derives from the Dutch and means "mountains of the dragons," is a mountainous region which encompasses a vast amount of South Africa's interior, extending into neighboring countries as well. It hugs the eastern border of Lesotho, attracting visitors for hiking, backpacking, and admiring the natural wonders of the landscape.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cape Town, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Cape Town.


Which place is cheaper, Drakensberg or Zanzibar?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $62, while the average daily cost in Drakensberg is $117. 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 Zanzibar and Drakensberg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $24
    Drakensberg $43
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $48
    Drakensberg $86
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Drakensberg

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Drakensberg? 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 Zanzibar


Hotels in Drakensberg


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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zanzibar $11
    Drakensberg $78

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Nungwi: $65
  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
  • Zanzibar VIP Transfer in Mercedes-Benz: $120
  • Zanzibar Transfer in Land Cruiser Prado: $220
  • Zanzibar Tour in Secret Beach, Kuza Cave and Jozani with transfer: $120
  • Zanzibar Taxi & Transfer Services – From Airport to All Resorts: $20
  • Zanzibar Sea Fishing Boat Tour experience with Transfer: $85
  • Zanzibar Quad Adventures from Nungwi or Kendwa & Hotel Transfer: $95
  • Zanzibar Private Transfer – From Airport to Any Hotel: $50
  • Zanzibar Private Taxi and Airport Transfers: $35
  • Zanzibar Private Round Trip Airport Transfer: $88
  • Zanzibar Private Hotel-to-Hotel Transfer – 24/7 Service: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Drakensberg?

Prices for flights to both Drakensberg and Zanzibar 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
    Zanzibar $28
    Drakensberg $33

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.

  • Half-Day Kuza Cave Swimming Adventure and Cooking Class: $13
  • Private Zanzibar Spices Tour with Traditional Swahili Cooking Lesson: $55
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • Zanzibar Spice & Night Market: Cooking & Street Food Tour: $80
  • Cooking Class Tour: $90
  • A private half day spice farm with a cooking lesson: $90
  • Zanzibar Sunset Dinner Dhow Cruise Kendwa Nungwi: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $140
  • Private Dinner on Sandbank in Zanzibar: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Drakensberg $9.91

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Days Tour In Zanzibar: $180
  • 2 days tour from Jozani forest to Stone town zanzibar: $270
  • 3 Hours Private Stone Town Walking Tour: $20
  • 3 hours Spice Tour in Tanzania: $80
  • 3-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island: $25
  • 3inONE, Private Spice, Stone Town & Prison Island Tours: $120
  • 4h Quad Adventures in Nungwi / Kendwa: $135
  • A Full Day Private Tour To Prison Island + Nakupenda + Stone Town: $150
  • A Full Day Stone Town and Spice Farm Private Tour: $100
  • A Half Day Private Dolphins And Snorkeling Tour To Mnemba Island: $95
  • A Half Day Private Prison Island Tour: $106
  • A Half Day Private Tour To Spice Farm: $80

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.75
    Drakensberg $4.30


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Drakensberg, we can see that Drakensberg is more expensive. And not only is Zanzibar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zanzibar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zanzibar 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 Drakensberg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Drakensberg than you might in Zanzibar.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zanzibar Expensive? and Is Drakensberg Expensive?.