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

Should you visit Zanzibar or Tsavo National Park?

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 Tsavo National Park 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 Tsavo National Park?

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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Eco Tours in Tanzania, The Best Cultural Tours in Tanzania, The Best Wildlife Tours to Kenya, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya.


Which place is cheaper, Tsavo National Park or Zanzibar?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Zanzibar is $52, while the average daily cost in Tsavo National Park is $114. 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 Tsavo National Park in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zanzibar $25
    Tsavo National Park $33
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $50
    Tsavo National Park $66
Compare Hotels in Zanzibar and Tsavo National Park

Looking for a hotel in Zanzibar or Tsavo National Park? 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 Tsavo National Park


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
    Tsavo National Park $61

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • AirPort & Sea Ferry Transfer Zone: $47
  • Airport - Hotels Transfer all over the Zanzibar Island: $60
  • Airport Pick-up Transfer To any Hotel In Zanzibar: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Zanzibar for Departures: $55
  • Airport to Stown Town or Stown Town To Airport transfer: $20
  • Airport transfer to Nugwi, Paje and Kiwengwa Hotels : $45
  • Airport transfer to/from Nungwi, Matemwe, Kiwengwa, East coat and South: $60
  • Airport/Hotel Transfer: $25
  • Airport/port Transfer : $70
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Luxury Car: $125
  • Arrival Private Transfer Zanzibar Airport ZNZ to Island by Minivan: $8.33
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Airport to Kendwa Beach Zanzibar: $40

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

Prices for flights to both Tsavo National Park 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 $17
    Tsavo National Park $38

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Authentic Street Food Tours in Stone Town, Zanzibar: $40
  • An romantic cooking Lesson + Spice Farm Tour: $44
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Zanzibar Spice farm and Cooking Class: $60
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Local Cooking Class with Spice Tour in Zanzibar: $60
  • Walking Spice Farm with Local Cooking Class: $60
  • Spice Farm tour & Local cooking lesson with Lunch: $64
  • Stone Town Private Food Tour with a Guide: $65
  • Spice Farm Tour with Traditional Cooking Lesson: $65
  • Traditional Zanzibar Cooking Class including Spice Tour: $68
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class : $75

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Tsavo National Park $47

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Africa's Paradises Full Sightseeing Package Tours: $15
  • Easy Stone Town Tour: $20
  • Zanzibar Stone Town Historical City Tour: $20
  • Stone Town tour: $20
  • Stone Town Historical Walking Tour: $20
  • Stone Town Tour in Zanzibar.: $23
  • Stone Town Tour without transport: $24
  • Stone Town Private Walking Tour: $25
  • Stone Town Walking Tour: $25
  • Private Stone Town City Tour Zanzibar : $25
  • Zanzibar Tours & Taxi Services : $25
  • The historic walking Tour - Stone Town Zanzibar : $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $6.91
    Tsavo National Park $24

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 Tsavo National Park, we can see that Tsavo National Park 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 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 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 Tsavo National Park Expensive?.