Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Malindi, Kilifi County, Kenya
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Malindi? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Malindi:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Malindi?
The short-term rental market in Malindi shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $708 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,510 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,912+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $295
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Malindi
The market in Malindi shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 20% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 42% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 62%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 10%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Malindi
Daily rates in Malindi vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $92 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $177 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $343+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $52
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Malindi
Peak Season (December, April, November)
- Revenue peaks at $1759.96 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 35.85%
- Daily rates average $169.70
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1258.30 per month
- Occupancy maintains 28.85%
- Daily rates hold at $164.00
Low Season (July, June, September)
- Revenue drops to $776.29 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 14.33%
- Daily rates adjust to $153.15
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Malindi in 2025?
Yes! Malindi demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 29% and monthly revenue averaging $1258 and The market's 106 active listings indicate growing demand with plenty of opportunity for new properties. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Malindi
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Watamu Beach | Renowned for its stunning white-sand beaches and vibrant marine life, Watamu Beach is a top destination for tourists. It's perfect for guests looking for relaxation and adventure, including water sports and eco-tourism pursuits. | Watamu Marine National Park, Gede Ruins, Watamu Beach, Mida Creek, Kirepwe Island |
| Malindi Marine National Park | A protected area that offers breathtaking coral reefs and diverse marine life. A hotspot for snorkeling and diving, appealing to tourists looking to explore underwater wonders. | Malindi Marine National Park, Snorkeling and diving spots, Aquarium, Kisite-Mpunguti Marine National Park |
| Malindi Town | The vibrant town of Malindi blends culture and tourism, making it a hotspot for guests interested in local heritage, markets, and lively streets. | Fisherman’s Village, Malindi Town Market, Portuguese Church, local restaurants |
| Silversands Beach | This beach is known for its beauty and tranquil environment, making it ideal for families and romantic getaways. Guests will enjoy a relaxing atmosphere away from the hustle. | Silversands Beach, Beachfront restaurants, Water sports centers, Sunset views |
| Pinewood Beach | Famous for its luxury resorts and serene environment, Pinewood Beach appeals to tourists looking for upscale experiences and beach relaxation. | Pinewood Beach Resort, Luxury spas, Water sports, Dining by the sea |
| Arabuko Sokoke Forest | As one of the largest forests in East Africa, it attracts eco-tourists and nature lovers who want to explore its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. | Arabuko Sokoke Forest Nature Trails, Bird watching, Eco-tours, Nature conservation |
| Kisite Mpunguti Marine National Park | This park is famous for its dolphin tours and beautiful sandy beaches, drawing visitors interested in marine adventures and wildlife. | Dolphin watching, Snorkeling tours, Beach picnic spots, Coral reefs |
| Vasco da Gama Pillar | An important historic landmark in Malindi, attracting tourists interested in history and architecture, alongside the nearby beautiful beaches. | Vasco da Gama Pillar, Local history museums, Coastal views, Cultural significance |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Malindi?
We recommend checking directly with Malindi's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Malindi
Himaya, ranked #1 on the East Coast on Tripadvisor
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Swahili Dream Apartment
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stunning 4-bedroom villa with pool close to beach
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Allamanda 3 Bedroom Villa by YourHost, Malindi
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Serene 3Bedroom Villa with a Pool & Close to Beach
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stay at Casa Bella. Romantic villa with pool views
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Malindi
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jessica | 1 | $87,618 | 25 | 4.92/5.0 |
| YourHost | 6 | $66,654 | 29 | 3.33/5.0 |
| Njeri | 1 | $39,550 | 46 | 4.87/5.0 |
| Daniela | 2 | $39,339 | 11 | 2.41/5.0 |
| Starfish | 7 | $38,926 | 49 | 3.92/5.0 |
| Alma | 2 | $25,057 | 9 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Goldermeer | 2 | $23,446 | 13 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Ivor | 3 | $19,954 | 7 | 1.62/5.0 |
| 449851469 | 1 | $18,981 | 2 | 0.00/5.0 |
| 418240870 | 4 | $18,749 | 1 | 0.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Malindi
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (88.7%), with house and apartment & condo properties comprising 93.4% of inventory
- Untapped potential in boutique & hotels, others segments (6.6% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 106 properties in Malindi shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 29.2% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms together representing 51.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (29.2%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (9.4%)
- Market concentration: 51.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 106 properties in Malindi reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 24.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 5.0 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 6 guests make up 46.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (24.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.9% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 5.0 guests per property
- Market concentration: 46.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 106 properties in Malindi, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (78.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (48.1% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (78.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (48.1%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 90.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 10.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
54 listings
53.5% of total
2 Nights
29 listings
28.7% of total
3 Nights
8 listings
7.9% of total
4-6 Nights
7 listings
6.9% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
1% of total
30+ Nights
2 listings
2% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 82.2%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 6.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (2%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 90.1% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
23 listings
34.8% of total
Moderate
18 listings
27.3% of total
Firm
5 listings
7.6% of total
Strict
20 listings
30.3% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 34.8% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 62.1% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 7.6% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Flexible policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Aug, Mar, Sep, averaging 71 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Oct, Jul, Jun, averaging 34 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 62 days, while Summer has the shortest at 44 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 62 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Oct-Jun when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Malindi
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Malindi:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 38.6% of total guests, indicating a moderate local market presence.
- Primary international markets: United States (18.4%) and Germany (12.7%)
- English is the top language at 57.3%, followed by Swahili (14.2%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Nairobi and Berlin markets
- Develop localized content for United States and Germany
- Prioritize English and Swahili language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Malindi. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dabaso ward | 101 | $2,103 | $166.89 | 44% |
| Ramisi ward | 11 | $2,080 | $210.88 | 40% |
| Shella ward | 101 | $1,510 | $212.07 | 31% |
| Tiwi ward | 22 | $1,323 | $160.30 | 30% |
| Kinondo ward | 170 | $1,273 | $176.23 | 34% |
| Ukunda ward | 280 | $1,185 | $125.91 | 36% |
| Mkomami ward | 47 | $1,101 | $268.47 | 27% |
| Mnarani ward | 34 | $1,090 | $148.47 | 24% |
| Watamu ward | 243 | $863 | $143.61 | 30% |
| Lamu | 24 | $850 | $113.76 | 28% |
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