Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Kampala, Central Region, Uganda
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Kampala? 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 Kampala:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Kampala?
The short-term rental market in Kampala 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 $505 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $941 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,509+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $200
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Kampala
The market in Kampala 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 29% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 55% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 77%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 13%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Kampala
Daily rates in Kampala 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 $39 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $57 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $91+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $27
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Kampala
Peak Season (May, April, June)
- Revenue peaks at $825.95 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 39.55%
- Daily rates average $55.24
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $676.70 per month
- Occupancy maintains 35.98%
- Daily rates hold at $51.53
Low Season (July, January, September)
- Revenue drops to $498.90 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 30.95%
- Daily rates adjust to $47.11
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Kampala in 2025?
Yes! Kampala demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 36% and monthly revenue averaging $677 and As a mature market with 785 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. 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 Kampala
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Kampala City Center | The bustling heart of Uganda’s capital, featuring a mix of business, tourism, and residential areas. It attracts both locals and tourists and offers easy access to major attractions. | Uganda National Museum, Crafts Village, Owino Market, Gaddafi National Mosque, Kampala's nightlife, Shopping malls like Oasis and Garden City |
| Kololo | An upscale neighborhood with beautiful views and a serene environment. Popular among expatriates and wealthy locals, it offers a variety of accommodations and amenities. | Kololo Hill, St. John's Church, Kampala International School, Various embassies, Relaxation spots and cafes |
| Entebbe | Located on the shores of Lake Victoria, it's known for its peaceful atmosphere and proximity to the airport. A great spot for those looking to combine leisure and travel. | Entebbe Botanical Gardens, Wildlife Education Centre, Lake Victoria beaches, Entebbe Airport, Aero Beach |
| Makindye | A vibrant suburb known for its lively atmosphere and a mix of local and expatriate communities. Offers a variety of local experiences and foods. | Makindye Market, Local restaurants and bars, Kibuli Mosque, Nearby hills and viewpoints, Cultural experiences |
| Kawempe | A rapidly developing area attracting younger crowds and families. Affordable accommodation options and local culture make it appealing for various guests. | Kawempe Market, Local parks, Churches and schools, Community events, Transportation links |
| Mengo | A historic area close to central Kampala, known for its traditional vibe and cultural significance. It offers many attractions for history enthusiasts. | Rubaga Cathedral, Mengo Palace, Historical tours, Local crafts and markets, Proximity to downtown |
| Ntinda | A growing residential and commercial suburb known for its youthful vibe. Popular among students and young professionals. | Ntinda Shopping Center, Local eateries and cafes, Transport hubs, Community events, Cultural landmarks |
| Jinja Road | A main road leading to various tourist destinations and with a steady flow of traffic. It's a strategic location for attracting both business and leisure travelers. | Cultural institutions, Access to bus terminals, Local restaurants, Proximity to attractions like Jinja for white-water rafting, Various hotels and guesthouses |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Kampala?
We recommend checking directly with Kampala'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 Kampala
On the shores of Lake Victoria
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Modern 2BR Apt In Kololo Near Acacia Mall
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Amaka Ada, Luxury Stay in Kampala
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
2 bed/bath condo in the sky with stunning views
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Vintage Charm 2 Bedroom loft
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Luxury Home in an Artist's Garden on Lake Victoria
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Kampala
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angella And Renske | 28 | $105,954 | 963 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Diana | 3 | $68,379 | 121 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Herman | 3 | $62,764 | 159 | 4.93/5.0 |
| Shreena | 8 | $51,833 | 237 | 4.66/5.0 |
| Lena | 4 | $49,367 | 92 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Hajarah | 6 | $47,408 | 157 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Ms Happy | 2 | $40,470 | 82 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Phazirah | 3 | $32,768 | 36 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Nsaale | 9 | $32,442 | 48 | 2.41/5.0 |
| Richard | 5 | $32,332 | 161 | 2.83/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Kampala
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 (80.5%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 92.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, unique stays segments (1.1% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 785 properties in Kampala shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 44.3% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 73.2% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (44.3%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (2.5%)
- Market concentration: 73.2% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 785 properties in Kampala reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 42.3% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.1 guests, with a clear trend towards smaller guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 64.6% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (42.3% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 64.6% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly smaller guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 785 properties in Kampala, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (67.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (35% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (67.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (35%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 88.8%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 12.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
379 listings
53.5% of total
2 Nights
199 listings
28.1% of total
3 Nights
72 listings
10.2% of total
4-6 Nights
35 listings
4.9% of total
7-29 Nights
14 listings
2% of total
30+ Nights
10 listings
1.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 81.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 4.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (1.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 91.8% 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
301 listings
53.8% of total
Moderate
108 listings
19.3% of total
Firm
54 listings
9.7% of total
Strict
96 listings
17.2% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 53.8% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 73.1% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 9.7% 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, Sep, Aug, averaging 35 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jun, Oct, Mar, averaging 26 days
- Summer shows the longest average booking window at 33 days, while Spring has the shortest at 27 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Summer bookings at least 33 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Spring to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jun-Mar when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Kampala
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Kampala:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 14.9% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: Uganda (22.9%) and United Kingdom (20.3%)
- English is the top language at 65.9%, followed by French (12.2%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Kampala and Nairobi markets
- Develop localized content for Uganda and United Kingdom
- 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 Kampala. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jinja | 78 | $463 | $67.39 | 25% |
| Kyaliwajala B | 11 | $372 | $61.21 | 38% |
| Naalya Estate | 26 | $288 | $36.91 | 35% |
| Entebbe City | 165 | $278 | $53.17 | 30% |
| Naalya Estate Village | 13 | $263 | $48.29 | 37% |
| Najeera Bulabira | 18 | $220 | $32.99 | 39% |
| Kira | 37 | $209 | $37.49 | 35% |
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