Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Bulawayo, Bulawayo Province, Zimbabwe
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Bulawayo? 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 Bulawayo:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Bulawayo?
The short-term rental market in Bulawayo 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 $731 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,403 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $2,222+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $290
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Bulawayo
The market in Bulawayo 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 26% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 49% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 70%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 13%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Bulawayo
Daily rates in Bulawayo 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 $66 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $103 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $151+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $43
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Bulawayo
Peak Season (February, March, May)
- Revenue peaks at $1353.82 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 42.56%
- Daily rates average $88.59
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $1021.35 per month
- Occupancy maintains 33.02%
- Daily rates hold at $85.37
Low Season (July, January, September)
- Revenue drops to $714.34 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 21.37%
- Daily rates adjust to $81.03
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Bulawayo in 2025?
Yes! Bulawayo demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 33% and monthly revenue averaging $1021 and With 255 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 Bulawayo
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| City Centre | The commercial heart of Bulawayo, with a mix of business, shopping, and dining options. A great location for both business and leisure travelers who want easy access to the city's amenities. | Bulawayo Railway Museum, Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, Centenary Park, The Bulawayo Club, Christmas Pass |
| Nsuma | A tranquil suburban area close to the city, offering a residential feel and green spaces. Ideal for families and those looking for a peaceful retreat away from the bustle of the city. | Matobo National Park, Chipangali Wildlife Orphanage, Makahane Hill, Baba Jukwa's Home, Local markets |
| Pumula | A cozy neighborhood with a local vibe, appealing to travelers interested in experiencing the everyday life of Bulawayo's residents. It’s well connected and has various local eateries. | Pumula Shopping Centre, Local food stalls, Community events, Pumula South Park, Artisan craft markets |
| Montrose | An affluent suburb known for its beautiful homes and proximity to amenities. It’s popular among expatriates and offers a peaceful environment with easy access to attractions. | Bulawayo Golf Club, Shopping centres, Local art galleries, Parks and walking trails, Sports facilities |
| Entumbane | A vibrant community with a rich cultural heritage. Best for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the local culture and history of Bulawayo. | Entumbane Shopping Centre, Cultural festivals, Historical sites, Local cuisine experiences, Artisan craft shops |
| Dumbuchi | A lesser-known area that offers great opportunities for unique experiences in Bulawayo. Suitable for those looking to explore off the beaten path. | Local farms, Nature trails, Community gatherings, Outdoor sports, Farmer's markets |
| Magwegwe | A lively neighborhood with a blend of commercial and residential areas. Attracts both locals and tourists, providing a taste of everyday Bulawayo life. | Magwegwe Shopping Centre, Street vendors, Community events, Public parks, Local festivals |
| Highlands | A serene area characterized by its natural beauty and recreational options. Perfect for those who prefer a calm and picturesque environment. | Highlands Park, Nature hikes, Picnic areas, Views of the surrounding landscape, Birdwatching spots |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Bulawayo?
We recommend checking directly with Bulawayo'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 Bulawayo
Peaceful updated farm house in town
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
At home
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
The Homestead- Private Villa for families
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
The Main Residence at Lake View
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
Sensational Villa style home
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
PalmPlace-3bed 3bath
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Bulawayo
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Janelle | 2 | $66,653 | 269 | 4.91/5.0 |
| Mandy | 5 | $61,682 | 273 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Alice | 7 | $56,555 | 155 | 3.39/5.0 |
| Nomvuyo | 3 | $51,894 | 85 | 4.84/5.0 |
| Shelta Tabita | 4 | $50,971 | 69 | 3.68/5.0 |
| Trust | 2 | $49,023 | 131 | 4.61/5.0 |
| Mufaro | 2 | $35,939 | 197 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Yvonne | 4 | $35,536 | 305 | 4.85/5.0 |
| Petty | 2 | $35,111 | 64 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Sharon | 1 | $32,134 | 3 | 5.00/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Bulawayo
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 (73.3%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 79.3% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (27.5%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile segments (0.4% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 255 properties in Bulawayo shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 34.1% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 3 bedrooms together representing 60.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (34.1%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (6.3%)
- Market concentration: 60.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 255 properties in Bulawayo reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 29.8% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.2 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 6 guests make up 54.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (29.8% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (0.4% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.2 guests per property
- Market concentration: 54.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 255 properties in Bulawayo, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (66.3% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (36.9% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (66.3%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (36.9%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 86.7%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 13.7%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
158 listings
67.2% of total
2 Nights
49 listings
20.9% of total
3 Nights
10 listings
4.3% of total
4-6 Nights
2 listings
0.9% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
0.4% of total
30+ Nights
15 listings
6.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 88.1%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.9% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (6.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 92.4% 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
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
88 listings
48.9% of total
Moderate
39 listings
21.7% of total
Firm
24 listings
13.3% of total
Strict
29 listings
16.1% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 48.9% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 70.6% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 13.3% 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 Apr, Aug, Dec, averaging 49 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Nov, Jul, Sep, averaging 27 days
- Spring shows the longest average booking window at 45 days, while Fall has the shortest at 30 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Spring bookings at least 45 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Fall to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Nov-Sep when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Bulawayo
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Bulawayo:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 35.8% of total guests, indicating a moderate local market presence.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (28.8%) and South Africa (17%)
- English is the top language at 76.6%, followed by Zulu (9.9%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 2.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Harare and Bulawayo markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and South Africa
- Prioritize English and Zulu 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 Bulawayo. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gweru | 27 | $532 | $96.26 | 21% |
| Francistown | 13 | $343 | $59.28 | 26% |
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