Which place is cheaper, Masai Mara or Zanzibar?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zanzibar 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 Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar or Masai Mara?
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.
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 Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, and The Best Luxury Tours to Kenya.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZanzibar $49Masai Mara $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $49, while the average daily cost in Masai Mara is $109. 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 Masai Mara in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZanzibar $23Masai Mara $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZanzibar $46Masai Mara $74
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Masai Mara
Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar 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: Zanzibar Hotel Prices and Masai Mara Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zanzibar $11Masai Mara $48
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:
- Luxury Zanzibar Airport Arrival Transfer: $11
- Zanzibar Private Departure Transfers to the Airport: $11
- Paje and Jambiani Transfers from Stone Town: $15
- Zanzibar Airport Private Transfer to/from Hotel: $20
- Transfer Tax From Airport to Stone Town Taxi: $20
- Airport and Hotels Transfers: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to/frm Stone Town Hotels.: $20
- Airport Taxi and Hotel Transfer Service in Zanzibar: $20
- Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $21
- Zanzibar Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $22
- Airport Transfer to Hotels: $22
- Airport Transfers: $22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Masai Mara
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Masai Mara:
- Airport Transfers: $40
Is it cheaper to fly into Zanzibar or Masai Mara?
Prices for flights to both Masai Mara 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
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Food Meals for one dayZanzibar $16Masai Mara $33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zanzibar.
- Stone Town Tour with Forodhani Gardens Dinner: $48
- Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
- Experience Night Local Food Tour at Stone Town: $60
- Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
- Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
- Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
- Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class with Lunch: $66
- Spice farm tour with local foods cooking class: $69
- Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $74
- Cooking Lesson and Spice farm tour: $77
- Spice Farm tour & Local Cooking Lesson Tour.: $83
- Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class: $90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Masai Mara
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Masai Mara.
- Nairobi Private Carnivore Dinner Experience: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zanzibar $12Masai Mara $61
Tours and Activities in Zanzibar
Here are a few actual costs in Zanzibar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Guided Spice Tour of Zanzibar : $12
- Africa's Paradise Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
- Sunset party cruise in Zanzibar with BoomBoom Boat: $16
- Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
- Zanzibar : Stone Town Tour without transport: $20
- Stone town walking tour ( City tour): $20
- Stone Town Guided Walking Tour: $20
- 3 Hour Community Walking Tour: $20
- Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
- Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
- Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
- Stone Town City Tour with Local Guide: $25
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: $38
- Half Day Tour Elephant Orphanage,Giraffe CenterKobe Beads Factory: $38
- 2-Hour Private Tour in Giraffe Centre in Nairobi: $44
- Nairobi Coffee farm and factory tour, Fairview estate.: $49
- 1Day Tour Nairobi Park ,Giraffe Center,karen Blixxen Guided tour: $50
- Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Center Half Day Tour: $50
- Cultural Day Tour to Bomas of Kenya Nairobi: $51
- Nairobi African Shopping Tour: $55
- Guided "Matatu" Experience Half Day Tour Within Nairobi.: $60
- Giraffe Centre and Animal Orphanage Guided Tour In Nairobi. : $60
- Day Tour at Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre: $62
- Half-Day Private Cultural Tour to Bomas of Kenya: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZanzibar $6.50Masai Mara $26
Sample the Local Flavors in Zanzibar
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Zanzibar:
- Pub Crawl & Club Experience: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zanzibar and Masai Mara, we can see that Masai Mara 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 Masai Mara would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Masai Mara 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 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.