Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Lusaka? 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 Lusaka:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Lusaka?
The short-term rental market in Lusaka 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 $566 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,130 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,709+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $226
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Lusaka
The market in Lusaka 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 28% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 53% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 76%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 12%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Lusaka
Daily rates in Lusaka 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 $56 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $84 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $121+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $40
Daily Rate Variations by Month
Get Live Lusaka Market Intelligence 👇
Explore Real-time Analytics
Seasonality patterns in Lusaka
Peak Season (May, April, March)
- Revenue peaks at $936.84 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 39.63%
- Daily rates average $80.33
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $772.81 per month
- Occupancy maintains 34.87%
- Daily rates hold at $76.23
Low Season (July, January, September)
- Revenue drops to $587.20 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 30.65%
- Daily rates adjust to $70.56
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Lusaka in 2025?
Yes! Lusaka demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 35% and monthly revenue averaging $773 and With 296 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 Lusaka
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Lusaka Central Business District | The heart of Lusaka with access to major businesses, government offices, and vibrant markets. Ideal for business travelers and tourists seeking urban amenities. | Independence Market, Government Complex, Lusaka National Museum, Manda Hill Shopping Mall, Zambia National Theatre |
| Mount Makulu | A residential area offering a tranquil environment with beautiful views. Attracts families and expatriates looking for a peaceful suburban lifestyle. | Mount Makulu viewpoint, Local parks, Nature trails, Schools, Community centers |
| Rhodes Park | A popular neighborhood known for its beautiful surroundings and proximity to parks. Ideal for families and those who appreciate green spaces. | Rhodes Park, Lusaka Golf Club, Nature reserves, Local restaurants, Art galleries |
| Woodlands | An upscale neighborhood with modern amenities and a variety of dining and shopping options. Popular among expatriates and affluent locals. | Woodlands Shopping Mall, Restaurants, Health clubs, Local markets, Community events |
| Kabulonga | A sought-after area known for its exclusivity and proximity to international schools and embassies, attracting expatriates and affluent residents. | International schools, Embassy row, High-end restaurants, Shopping malls, Health facilities |
| Chilenje | A vibrant community with a mix of locals and expats, known for its cultural experiences and local markets. Offers an authentic Zambian experience. | Chilenje market, Local food stalls, Cultural festivals, Artisan shops, Community gatherings |
| Lusaka South | A developing area that is attracting both residential and commercial investment due to its affordability and future growth potential. | New developments, Shopping centers, Affordable housing, Outdoor markets, Community initiatives |
| Ibex Hill | A growing residential area known for its spacious properties and family-friendly environment, appealing to both locals and expatriates. | Ibex Hill Shopping Mall, Parks, Family entertainment centers, Schools, Recreational activities |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Lusaka?
We recommend checking directly with Lusaka'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 Lusaka
EMC with a Private PooI|InverterlWifI|Dstv lusaka
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Roma, Lusaka, spacious and comfy, just like home
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stunning 2 Bedroom Flat.
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Tranquil Farm House Sanctuary Outside of Lusaka
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Tranquil Guesthouse (with backup power supply)
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Leopards Hill 2 Bedroom House
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Lusaka
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Lusaka
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 (83.4%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 83.1% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (15.2%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, others, unique stays segments (4.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 296 properties in Lusaka shows that 2 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 38.5% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 68.6% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 2 bedrooms (38.5%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.4%)
- Market concentration: 68.6% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 296 properties in Lusaka reveals that 4 guests properties dominate the market, representing 34.8% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 4 guests and 2 guests make up 64.2% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 4 guests (34.8% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 64.2% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 296 properties in Lusaka, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (62.2% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (34.5% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (62.2%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (34.5%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 86.1%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 14.5%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
156 listings
57.4% of total
2 Nights
82 listings
30.1% of total
3 Nights
13 listings
4.8% of total
4-6 Nights
10 listings
3.7% of total
7-29 Nights
7 listings
2.6% of total
30+ Nights
4 listings
1.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 87.5%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 3.7% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (1.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 92.3% 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
139 listings
59.7% of total
Moderate
55 listings
23.6% of total
Firm
11 listings
4.7% of total
Strict
28 listings
12% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 59.7% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 83.3% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 4.7% 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
- Strict policies are rare - carefully consider the impact on bookings before implementing
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Apr, May, Sep, averaging 38 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Dec, Jan, Jun, averaging 24 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 37 days, while Winter has the shortest at 26 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 37 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Winter to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Dec-Jun when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Lusaka
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Lusaka:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 17.9% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: United States (25.8%) and United Kingdom (24.9%)
- English is the top language at 70.8%, followed by French (12.7%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 2.1%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Lusaka and Harare markets
- Develop localized content for United States 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 Lusaka. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kariba | 24 | $788 | $198.62 | 24% |
How is your STR performing?
Your vacation rental may be amazing, but is it better than your competition? Enjoy the best-in-class AI-powered analytics for free!
Discover Insights