Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Kigali, Kigali City, Rwanda
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Kigali? 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 Kigali:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Kigali?
The short-term rental market in Kigali 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 $620 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,184 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,960+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $266
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Kigali
The market in Kigali 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 33% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 58% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 79%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 16%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Kigali
Daily rates in Kigali 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 $42 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $77 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $126+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $27
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Kigali
Peak Season (May, June, February)
- Revenue peaks at $1271.46 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 43.81%
- Daily rates average $67.39
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $931.93 per month
- Occupancy maintains 38.17%
- Daily rates hold at $64.57
Low Season (September, November, January)
- Revenue drops to $640.31 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 32.60%
- Daily rates adjust to $62.90
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Kigali in 2025?
Yes! Kigali demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 38% and monthly revenue averaging $932 and With 345 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Kigali
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Kigali City Center | The heart of Kigali, known for its vibrant atmosphere, restaurants, and business activities. Ideal for travelers who want to explore the local culture and enjoy a variety of amenities. | Kigali Genocide Memorial, Caplaki Craft Village, Inema Arts Center, Kigali Convention Centre, Kimironko Market |
| Kiyovu | A picturesque neighborhood with a blend of modern and colonial architecture. Attracts travelers looking for a quiet stay with easy access to the city life. | Kigali Public Library, Museum of Natural History, Parc de la Reine, St. Famille Church, Niyo Arts Gallery |
| Kimihurura | A trendy residential area with many cafes and restaurants. It is popular among expatriates and tourists seeking local experiences. | Café Des Arts, Kimironko Market, Cultural Village, Kigali Heights, Rwanda Art Museum |
| Nyamirambo | A vibrant multicultural neighborhood known for its lively streets and local markets. Great for those interested in experiencing local Rwandan culture. | Nyamirambo Women's Center, Local markets, Street food experiences, Mosques and churches, Amahoro Stadium |
| Gikondo | An up-and-coming area with affordable options and proximity to the airport. Appeals to budget travelers and long-stay visitors. | Aeroport International Kigali, Local artisanal shops, Gikondo Park, Kigali Art Gallery, Cycling routes |
| Nyarutarama | A picturesque suburb known for its beautiful views and serene environment. Perfect for families and those seeking a peaceful retreat. | Lakeside Park, Golf courses, Luxury hotels, Local restaurants, Scenic walking trails |
| Remera | A neighborhood with a mix of local culture and modern amenities. Close to Kigali Airport, making it a convenient option for travelers. | MTN Centre, Kigali Heights Shopping Mall, Local eateries, Amahoro National Stadium, Cultural performances |
| Musanze | Located just outside Kigali, it's the gateway to the Volcanoes National Park, attracting those who are interested in gorilla trekking and nature tourism. | Volcanoes National Park, Gorilla trekking, Kandinina Waterfall, Musanze Caves, Local village tours |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Kigali?
We recommend checking directly with Kigali'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 Kigali
Free Yourself
Private Room • 3 bedrooms
High Ground Villa: 14-Bedrooms 11 bathrooms VILLA
Entire Place • 14 bedrooms
Kigali Golf View Apartment Flat 2
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Luxe suite ac x 4 pool gym steam rm steps to golf
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
IZA serene city apartment/ 3 bedroom
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Blue Hill Luxury home in Kigali
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Kigali
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bode | 6 | $116,043 | 108 | 4.06/5.0 |
| Gabriella | 6 | $81,109 | 38 | 4.42/5.0 |
| Dot | 2 | $70,991 | 77 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Jeanne | 6 | $68,963 | 160 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Jean Claude | 4 | $66,730 | 145 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Lambert | 2 | $65,721 | 34 | 4.71/5.0 |
| Uwacu | 5 | $65,107 | 111 | 3.83/5.0 |
| Kathrin & Alphonse | 5 | $61,438 | 195 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Ishimwe | 11 | $52,153 | 105 | 3.38/5.0 |
| Tanya | 2 | $41,914 | 64 | 4.90/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Kigali
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 (72.5%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 91.1% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (2.6% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 345 properties in Kigali shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 33% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 58.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (33%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.5%)
- Market concentration: 58.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 345 properties in Kigali reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 32.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.1 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 55.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (32.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (3.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 55.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 345 properties in Kigali, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (62% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (33% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (62%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (33%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 82.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 18.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
181 listings
60.1% of total
2 Nights
69 listings
22.9% of total
3 Nights
31 listings
10.3% of total
4-6 Nights
8 listings
2.7% of total
7-29 Nights
9 listings
3% of total
30+ Nights
3 listings
1% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 83.0%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 2.7% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (1%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 93.3% 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
108 listings
44.4% of total
Moderate
60 listings
24.7% of total
Firm
36 listings
14.8% of total
Strict
39 listings
16% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 44.4% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 69.1% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 14.8% 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 Jul, May, Aug, averaging 41 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jun, Nov, Dec, averaging 25 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 36 days, while Fall has the shortest at 29 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 36 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jun-Dec when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Kigali
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Kigali:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 7.6% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Rwanda (15.6%) and Germany (15.4%)
- English is the top language at 55.2%, followed by French (22.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Kigali and Nairobi markets
- Develop localized content for Rwanda and Germany
- Prioritize English and French 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 Kigali. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kinyinya | 27 | $782 | $90.84 | 42% |
| Gisozi | 45 | $541 | $68.80 | 36% |
| Kimihurura | 89 | $463 | $53.14 | 35% |
| Gisenyi | 14 | $406 | $98.71 | 24% |
| Muhoza | 24 | $348 | $65.91 | 30% |
| Kagarama | 22 | $330 | $53.28 | 29% |
| Gatsata / Karuruma | 18 | $312 | $47.70 | 28% |
| Kicukiro | 33 | $209 | $45.91 | 27% |
| Mbarara City | 15 | $177 | $60.73 | 29% |
| Murindi | 17 | $89 | $29.63 | 28% |
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