As of November 12, 2026, South Africa is cheaper than Kenya for travelers: a mid-range day costs about $103 in South Africa against $107 in Kenya, a gap of 4.2%. Over the past year Kenya has moved more in the US-dollar traveler's favor (−1.6% after inflation, against −3.9%). South Africa carries the lower US advisory (Level 2 against Level 3). South Africa is the easier of the two to travel.
| Measure | Kenya | South Africa |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-range day | $107 | $103 |
| Lean day | $43 | $46 |
| Comfortable day | $279 | $240 |
| Real change, 12 months | −1.6% | −3.9% |
| Exchange rate alone, 12 months | +0.6% | −3.2% |
| Versus 5-year average | −2.2% | −5.5% |
| US advisory | Level 3 · Reconsider travel | Level 2 · Increased caution |
| Ease of travel | 3.5 · Workable | 4.2 · Well set up |
| Index score | 47 | 55 |
| Best months | Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct | Sep, Oct, Nov, Mar, Apr, May |
| Shoulder months | Jun, Nov | Jun, Aug |
The better figure in each row is in bold. Costs are modeled estimates per person, excluding international flights.
The original safari country, where park fees set the floor on your budget.
The catchPark fees are in dollars and rose steeply, so the shilling matters less than you would hope. Read the current advisory carefully.
First-world safari, wine and coast, bought with a volatile rand.
The catchViolent crime is real and requires planning. Power cuts have eased but not vanished.
Source: Trip Arbitrage (triparbitrage.com), reading of November 12, 2026. How this is calculated.