Mombasa Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Mombasa County, Kenya
Is Airbnb profitable in Mombasa in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Mombasa, Mombasa County, Kenya to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Mombasa, based on AirROI data from June 2024 to May 2025, reveals key trends in the market of 239 active listings.
Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Mombasa, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Mombasa Airbnb data is crucial. Understanding the local regulations is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.
Key Mombasa Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview
Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Mombasa (2025)
Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Mombasa is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Mombasa is typically December, while June often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Mombasa across different performance tiers:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $1,132+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $597 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
- Typical properties (Median) generate around $308 per month, representing the average market performance.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $140, often with potential for optimization.
Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Mombasa
Mombasa Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)
Maximize your bookings by understanding the Mombasa STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Decembersees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while June experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Mombasa:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 59%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 41% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
- Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 23%.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 12% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.
Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Mombasa
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Mombasa (2025)
Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Mombasa involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Mombasa typically peaks in December and dips lowest during April. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:
- Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $166+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
- Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $91 or more.
- Typical properties (Median) charge around $46 per night.
- Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $27 per night.
Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Mombasa
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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Mombasa (2025)
Peak Season (December, August, November)
- Revenue averages $667 per month
- Occupancy rates average 34.8%
- Daily rates average $81
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $469 per month
- Occupancy maintains around 29.0%
- Daily rates hold near $74
Low Season (March, May, June)
- Revenue drops to average $351 per month
- Occupancy decreases to average 21.3%
- Daily rates adjust to average $71
Seasonality Insights for Mombasa
- The Airbnb seasonality in Mombasa shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
- During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Mombasa's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $895, occupancy reaching a high of 39.9%, and ADRs peaking at $82.
- Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $254, occupancy could drop to 15.3%, and ADRs may adjust down to $66.
- Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Mombasa.
Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit
- Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
- Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
- Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
- Regularly analyze your own performance against these Mombasa seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.
Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Mombasa (2025)
Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Mombasa? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.
| Neighborhood / Area | Why Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal) | Key Attractions & Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Nyali | A popular beach resort area known for its scenic coastline, luxury hotels, and vibrant nightlife. Ideal for tourists looking to enjoy the beach life and various water sports. | Nyali Beach, Wild Waters, Nyali Cinemax, Mombasa Marine National Park, Bamburi Beach |
| Diani Beach | Renowned for its white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, Diani Beach attracts both tourists and expats, making it a prime location for Airbnb investments. | Diani Beach, Vuma Caves, Colobus Conservation, Diani Sea Resort, The Diani Chale Marine National Park |
| Mombasa Old Town | Steeped in history and culture, Mombasa Old Town offers a unique experience with its narrow streets and Swahili architecture. Great for guests interested in cultural heritage. | Fort Jesus, Old Port of Mombasa, Mombasa Tusks, Swahili Culture Museum, Market Street |
| Shanzu | A growing tourist destination featuring beautiful beaches and resorts, Shanzu attracts both local and international visitors looking for a quieter place to stay. | Shanzu Beach, Bamburi Beach, Mombasa Marine National Park, Kongo River, Pirates Beach |
| Bamburi | Famous for its stunning beaches and family-friendly resorts, Bamburi is ideal for vacation rentals catering to families and groups. | Bamburi Beach, Haller Park, Mombasa Marine National Park, Mombasa Butterfly House, Nairobi Railway Museum |
| Kilifi | Located north of Mombasa, Kilifi offers pristine beaches and a laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for travelers seeking tranquility away from the bustling city. | Kilifi Creek, Gold Rock Beach, Mnarani Ruins, Kilifi Boatyard, Takaungu Beach |
| Likoni | A lesser-known area offering a more local experience, Likoni has access to beautiful beaches and is perfect for guests wanting to escape the tourist crowds. | Likoni Ferry, Maboko Island, Kivukoni Beach, Tudor Creek, Mtongwe Beach |
| Malindi | A coastal town north of Mombasa, known for its beautiful beaches and rich cultural history, making it an attractive destination for international tourists. | Malindi Marine National Park, Gedi Ruins, Malindi Beach, Lamu Island, Arabuko Sokoke Forest |
Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Mombasa (2025)
With 13% of listings showing registration in 2025, understanding potential Airbnb license requirements is crucial in Mombasa. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Mombasa to ensure full compliance before hosting.
(Source: AirROI data, 2025, based on 13% licensed listings)
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Mombasa (2025)
Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Mombasabased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.
Your Coastal Oasis!
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Sultana Holiday Homes Kikambala
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Saba House on the creek
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Angani Apt | AC Installed | Ocean View & Rftp Pool
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
A lush Four bedroom Condo with a pool
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Coastal charm Getaway
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.
Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Mombasa (2025)
Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Mombasa based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pwani Luxury | 9 | $63,570 | 178 | 4.88/5.0 |
| Jane | 4 | $30,767 | 105 | 4.67/5.0 |
| Rosalyn | 2 | $26,812 | 49 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Aly | 1 | $24,941 | 47 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Shadrack | 1 | $22,995 | 0 | N/A/5.0 |
| Valery Anita L | 1 | $20,862 | 55 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Iain | 1 | $18,855 | 15 | 4.67/5.0 |
| Scott | 1 | $15,266 | 32 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Sania | 1 | $13,112 | 45 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Sheila | 1 | $13,016 | 17 | 4.65/5.0 |
Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Mombasa.
Dive Deeper: Advanced Mombasa STR Market Data (2025)
Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Mombasa. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.
Explore Advanced MetricsMombasa Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Market Composition Insights for Mombasa
- The Mombasa Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 95% of the 239 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
- Looking at the property type distribution in Mombasa, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (90.8%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
- Smaller segments like others, hotel/boutique (combined 1.6%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.
Mombasa Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution
Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms
Room Capacity Insights for Mombasa
- The dominant room capacity in Mombasa is 1 bedroom listings, making up 40.6% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
- Together, 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms properties represent 66.5% of the active Airbnb listings in Mombasa, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
- A significant 27.6% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Mombasa.
Mombasa Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)
Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity
Guest Capacity Insights for Mombasa
- The most common guest capacity trend in Mombasa vacation rentals is listings accommodating 2 guests (34.7%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely couples or solo travelers.
- Properties designed for 2 guests and 4 guests dominate the Mombasa STR market, accounting for 56.9% of listings.
- 28.4% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Mombasa.
- On average, properties in Mombasa are equipped to host 4.0 guests.
Mombasa Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Booking Pattern Insights for Mombasa
- The most common availability pattern in Mombasa falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 81.6% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
- Approximately 97.1% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
- For booked days, the 1-30 days range is most frequent in Mombasa (49.4%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
- A notable 3.3% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.
Mombasa Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis
Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement
1 Night
177 listings
79.7% of total
2 Nights
31 listings
14% of total
3 Nights
3 listings
1.4% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
0.5% of total
30+ Nights
10 listings
4.5% of total
Key Insights
- The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Mombasa is 1 Night, adopted by 79.7% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
- A strong majority (93.7%) of the Mombasa Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.
Recommendations
- Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 79.7% of Mombasa hosts use this setting.
- Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Mombasa.
Mombasa Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)
Flexible
101 listings
52.6% of total
Moderate
28 listings
14.6% of total
Firm
19 listings
9.9% of total
Strict
44 listings
22.9% of total
Cancellation Policy Insights for Mombasa
- The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Mombasa is Flexible, used by 52.6% of listings.
- There's a relatively balanced mix between guest-friendly (67.2%) and stricter (32.8%) policies, offering choices for different guest needs.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 52.6% market standard in Mombasa.
- Given the high prevalence of Flexible policies (52.6%), offering this can enhance booking appeal, especially during shoulder seasons.
- Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Mombasa.
Mombasa STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)
Average Booking Lead Time by Month
Booking Lead Time Insights for Mombasa
- The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Mombasa is 16 days.
- Guests book furthest in advance for stays during December (average 25 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
- The shortest booking windows occur for stays in March (average 9 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
- Seasonally, Winter (21 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Spring (11 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Use the overall average lead time (16 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Mombasa.
- Target marketing efforts for the Winter season well in advance (at least 21 days) to capture early planners.
- Monitor your own booking lead times against these Mombasa averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.
Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Mombasa (2025)
Amenity Prevalence
Amenity Insights for Mombasa
- Essential amenities in Mombasa that guests expect include: Wifi, TV, Kitchen. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
- Popular amenities like Free parking on premises, Essentials, Iron are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Mombasa: Wifi, TV, Kitchen.
- Prioritize adding missing essentials: Wifi, TV, Kitchen.
- Consider adding popular differentiators like Free parking on premises or Essentials to increase appeal.
- Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
- Regularly check competitor amenities in Mombasa to stay competitive.
Mombasa Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)
Guest Profile Summary for Mombasa
- The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Mombasa consists of predominantly international visitors (68%), with top international origins including United States, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or Swahili.
- Domestic travelers account for 32.3% of guests.
- Key international markets include Kenya (32.3%) and United States (16.9%).
- Top languages spoken are English (48%) followed by Swahili (11.9%).
- A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.
Recommendations for Hosts
- Focus marketing internationally, particularly towards travelers from United States.
- Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
- Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
- Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.
Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison
How does the Mombasa Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.
| Market | Active Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Avg. Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ramisi ward | 12 | $2,248 | $216.87 | 42% |
| Dabaso ward | 106 | $1,905 | $179.85 | 41% |
| Matemwe | 24 | $1,904 | $263.76 | 29% |
| Tiwi ward | 19 | $1,470 | $170.29 | 32% |
| Mnarani ward | 34 | $1,304 | $173.56 | 24% |
| Kiwengwa | 105 | $1,199 | $183.86 | 30% |
| Kinondo ward | 181 | $1,175 | $190.96 | 31% |
| Ukunda ward | 307 | $1,123 | $137.34 | 33% |
| Kigomane | 29 | $896 | $159.87 | 23% |
| Watamu ward | 261 | $822 | $154.69 | 28% |