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 $66, while the average daily cost in Drakensberg is $110. 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 $26
    Drakensberg $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zanzibar $52
    Drakensberg $80
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 $12
    Drakensberg $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zanzibar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zanzibar:

  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kiwengwa: $65
  • Premium Transfer from Zanzibar Airport ⇋ Kendwa: $65
  • Jozani Forest Guided Tour, Red Colobus and transfer: $67
  • Zanzibar transfers and Taxi: $35
  • Zanzibar taxi service/airport transfer: $60
  • Zanzibar Shared Departure Transfer: $56
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $44
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Paje Beach to the Airport: $40
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $40
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Nungwi Beach to the Airport: $44
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Michamvi Beach to the Airport: $40
  • Zanzibar Private Departure Transfer from Kendwa Beach to the Airport: $40

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 $30
    Drakensberg $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zanzibar

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

  • Zanzibar Traditional Cooking Class: $49
  • Zanzibar Spice Farm Tour and Cooking Class With Lunch: $52
  • Zanzibar Spice Tour & Cooking Class : $59
  • Zanzibar Cooking Class [Swahili food test ] and Spice farm Private tour: $59
  • Spice Tour & Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $60
  • Zanzibar Cooking Lesson: $70
  • Traditional Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $77
  • A Half Day Private Cooking Class At the Spice Farm: $90
  • 5 Hours Guided Spice Tour and Cooking Class in Zanzibar: $101
  • Full-Day Private Tour in Zanzibar with Cooking Class: $110
  • Spice Tour; Secret Garden Restaurant; Stone Town; Dinner at The Rock Restaurant: $130
  • Exclusive Private Sunset Dinner Sail along North Coast Zanzibar: $140

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zanzibar $13
    Drakensberg $9.31

Tours and Activities in Zanzibar

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

  • Dolphin tour,See food lunch ,Aquarium ,Nunqwi beach,Sunset cruse: $145
  • Fair Tourism In Paje: $27
  • Full Day Spice Tour, Prison Island and City Tours: $140
  • Mnemba Island, Nungwi Village & Sea Turtle Experience: $160
  • Stone City, Spice Farm and Prison Island Full Day Tour: $120
  • Stone Town Historical tour: $26
  • Stone town historical walking tour with Mohamed: $30
  • 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-Hour Private City Tour in Zanzibar Island : $25
  • 3h-Zanzibar Archipelago Shared ATV Experience: $79

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zanzibar $7.20
    Drakensberg $4.04


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?.