Chris brook Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 4.52 - Revenue
- $31,691
- Occupancy
- 41.7%
- Daily rate
- $225
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026
The average Airbnb in Bulawayo brought in US$5,355 over the 12 months through September 2026, about 18% less than the national average of $6,540.
The short answer
Bulawayo is priced below the national average. Listings averaged $85 a night, about 19% less than that average of $105, and were booked on 29% of available nights, close to its 30% occupancy.
April, usually the best month, brings in about 85% more per listing than February, usually the slowest.
AirROI tracked 250 active listings in Bulawayo. From a year earlier, the number of active listings grew 17%.
Browse the live Bulawayo Airbnb market
See Every Bulawayo Listing
Revenue
Gross bookings per Bulawayo listing averaged $5,355 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Zimbabwe average: $6,540), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
In a typical year, the average Bulawayo listing brings in $1,120 in April, its best month, and $605 in February, its slowest. August runs within 5% of April, so either can come out on top in a given year. The three strongest months bring in 34% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 4.3 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
April earns about 1.8 times what February does
Average revenue per active listing, by month, September 2024 to August 2026
Each point is one month as recorded, averaged over the listings active in it. The best and slowest months in the text average each calendar month over the past two years, so they can differ from the highest and lowest points here.
Latest 12 months in the September 2026 data. September's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to August.
April 2026 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in August 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | $651 | 30.9% | $85 | $22 | 24 days | 4.7 nights |
| Oct 2025 | $895 | 35.8% | $85 | $29 | 26 days | 4.7 nights |
| Nov 2025 | $615 | 26.2% | $84 | $21 | 23 days | 3.9 nights |
| Dec 2025 | $1,061 | 39.3% | $86 | $34 | 45 days | 5.2 nights |
| Jan 2026 | $697 | 27.8% | $84 | $22 | 32 days | 5 nights |
| Feb 2026 | $617 | 30.2% | $83 | $22 | 26 days | 4.7 nights |
| Mar 2026 | $734 | 29.7% | $85 | $24 | 29 days | 5.2 nights |
| Apr 2026 | $1,151 | 41.7% | $92 | $38 | 51 days | 5.8 nights |
| May 2026 | $715 | 25.3% | $92 | $23 | 22 days | 4.7 nights |
| Jun 2026 | $838 | 30.5% | $94 | $28 | 18 days | 6.3 nights |
| Jul 2026 | $1,013 | 31.9% | $94 | $33 | 29 days | 5.4 nights |
| Aug 2026 | $1,076 | 37.1% | $94 | $35 | 45 days | 4.3 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
Location, size and how a home is run move its income far more than a city average shows. For a range on one Bulawayo address, run it through the Airbnb profit calculator.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Bulawayo Airbnb took in $5,355 in the 12 months to September 2026, an average that counts every active listing, including those open only part of the year. A listing in the top quarter took in about $11,610, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about $720 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | $5,225 | $11,320 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay2% of Bulawayo bookings | $130 | $290 |
| Gross bookings | $5,355 | $11,610 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 13%: 15.5% for the 76% of Bulawayo listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −$670 | −$1,460 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; $0 if you clean yourself | −$130 | −$290 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −$270 | −$580 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −$110 | −$230 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −$160 | −$350 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −$50 | −$50 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −$30 | −$30 |
| Management$0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | $0 | $0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | $0 | $0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | $0 | $0 |
| Total running costsAbout 24% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −$1,420 | −$2,990 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | $3,935about $330 a month | $8,620about $720 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Bulawayo's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Bulawayo home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb income calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about $970 a month, against $450 for the average one.
Occupancy
Bulawayo listings were booked on 29% of the nights they were open over the past year, in line with the Zimbabwe average. In a typical year, occupancy climbs to 41% in December and falls to 25% in May.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about 5.4 times as often as the bottom quarter.
December is usually the busiest month in Bulawayo, May the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month rate of 29% averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Bulawayo, known as ADR (average daily rate), was $85 over the past year, about 19% below the Zimbabwe average of $105. In a typical year, rates peak in April at about $93 and bottom out in February and November at about $83.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about four times the rate of the bottom quarter.
April rates run 12% above November's
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Bulawayo it averaged $24 over the past year, from about $21 in a typical March to about $37 in a typical April.
Per open night, by tier:
April RevPAR is about 1.8 times March's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month RevPAR of $24 averages each listing's whole year, slow months included; each month here counts only the listings booked in it.
Seasonality
Revenue in Bulawayo peaks several times a year, in April, August and December, a moderately seasonal pattern.
Average revenue by month in Bulawayo
Average revenue per active listing, each calendar month averaged over the past two years
| Month | Season | Revenue per listing |
|---|---|---|
| January | Low season | $683 |
| February | Low season | $605 |
| March | Low season | $651 |
| April | High season | $1,120 |
| May | Low season | $675 |
| June | Low season | $699 |
| July | Shoulder season | $848 |
| August | High season | $1,070 |
| September | Low season | $662 |
| October | Shoulder season | $860 |
| November | Low season | $656 |
| December | High season | $1,030 |
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonApril, August, December | $1,070 | 39% | $89 |
| Shoulder seasonJuly, October | $854 | 32% | $87 |
| Low seasonJanuary–March, May–June, September, November | $662 | 28% | $85 |
Guests book Bulawayo stays 33 days ahead on average (about five weeks). April stays are booked furthest out, about 50 days ahead, and June stays closest to arrival, about 19 days. A typical April booking is made in late February.
April stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2024 to August 2026
The 12-month figure of 33 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 250 active listings in Bulawayo display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Bulawayo.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks eight Bulawayo neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by City Centre, Suburbs and Khami Ruins. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| City Centre | The heart of Bulawayo, featuring historical buildings, business districts, and accessible amenities. A great location for business travelers and tourists exploring the city. | Bulawayo Railway Museum, Natural History Museum, Centenary Park, City Hall, Zimbabwe International Trade Fair |
| Suburbs | Quieter residential areas offering a local experience. Attractive to families and long-term stays with easy access to shops and parks. | Parks and recreational areas, Shopping malls, Local markets |
| Khami Ruins | A UNESCO World Heritage Site attracting tourists interested in cultural history and archaeology. Ideal for hosting guests looking to explore ancient ruins. | Khami Ruins National Monument, Historical guided tours |
| Masiyephambili | Up-and-coming residential area with local attractions and accessible amenities. Popular among locals and expatriates alike. | Local shops and restaurants, Parks, Community events |
| Entumbane | Popular residential neighborhood with a vibrant community feel. It attracts visitors wanting to experience local life and culture. | Community markets, Local eateries, Cultural festivals |
| Lobengula | A bustling area featuring a mix of residential and commercial properties. Great for nightlife and local dining experiences. | Nightclubs, Restaurants, Markets |
| Western Areas | Known for its expansive neighborhoods and access to nature, suitable for guests wanting a peaceful retreat close to the city. | Hillside Dams, Nature trails, Botanical gardens |
| Donnington | A charming neighborhood with easy access to the city center and local amenities, ideal for those seeking a balance between urban and suburban living. | Local parks, Shops and cafes, Community activities |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 74% of listings in Bulawayo, but private rooms are a real segment: about one listing in four (26%) rents out a single room. Houses are the most common property type at 60%, about 2.6 times the share of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs (23%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Bulawayo Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 74.0% | 185 |
| Private room | 26.0% | 65 |
Listings by property type
Bulawayo Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| House | 59.6% | 149 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 22.8% | 57 |
| Apartment/Condo | 12.0% | 30 |
| Others | 4.8% | 12 |
| Unique stay | 0.4% | 1 |
| Cabin/Outdoor | 0.4% | 1 |
Most Bulawayo homes are built for groups: 54% of entire homes have three or more bedrooms, and three-bedroom homes are the most common size (34%). Shares are of the 183 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Bulawayo entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 1.6% | 3 |
| 1 bedroom | 25.7% | 47 |
| 2 bedrooms | 18.6% | 34 |
| 3 bedrooms | 33.9% | 62 |
| 4 bedrooms | 9.8% | 18 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 10.4% | 19 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Bulawayo earned $2,500 over the past year, against $7,120 for a home with five or more bedrooms.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 47 | $2,500 | $3,480 | $48 | 30% |
| 2 bedrooms | 34 | $2,430 | $5,100 | $76 | 27% |
| 3 bedrooms | 62 | $5,600 | $8,010 | $96 | 33% |
| 4 bedrooms | 18 | $8,950 | $11,900 | $142 | 34% |
| 5+ bedrooms | 19 | $7,120 | $9,010 | $201 | 23% |
The most common capacity in Bulawayo is two guests (32% of listings), and 47% of listings sleep six or more. Shares are of the 215 listings with a guest capacity on file (86% of the market).
Bulawayo listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 guest | 0.5% | 1 |
| 2 guests | 32.1% | 69 |
| 3 guests | 3.7% | 8 |
| 4 guests | 13.0% | 28 |
| 5 guests | 3.7% | 8 |
| 6 guests | 27.4% | 59 |
| 7 guests | 0.5% | 1 |
| 8+ guests | 19.1% | 41 |
Bulawayo hosts set up an average of 2.9 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. About four in ten listings (40%) show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Free on-site parking is close to standard in Bulawayo: 97% of listings offer it, and 63% have a dedicated workspace.
Share of Bulawayo listings with each common amenity
Listings in Bulawayo with an indoor fireplace earned about twice as much a year, on average, as those without: $8,940 against $4,370. Listings with a pool view show about the same gap. The gap is smaller for outdoor furniture (about 65% more). Bigger, professionally run homes tend to carry more amenities, so these gaps reflect the kind of listing as much as the feature itself.
Revenue gap for Bulawayo listings with each amenity
How much more listings with the amenity earned in a year than those without, and the share of listings that have it
| Amenity | Listings with it | Avg. revenue with | Avg. revenue without | Revenue gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indoor fireplace | 22% | $8,940 | $4,370 | +105% |
| Pool view | 4% | $9,870 | $5,150 | +92% |
| Outdoor furniture | 37% | $7,170 | $4,300 | +67% |
| Free street parking | 10% | $7,880 | $5,060 | +56% |
| Self check-in | 44% | $6,700 | $4,310 | +56% |
| Sun loungers | 6% | $8,030 | $5,200 | +55% |
| Sound system | 6% | $7,610 | $5,200 | +46% |
| Dedicated workspace | 63% | $6,000 | $4,270 | +40% |
| Pool | 35% | $6,490 | $4,740 | +37% |
| Fire pit | 10% | $6,900 | $5,180 | +33% |
Guests
Bulawayo runs on foreign visitors: 71% of guests who left reviews live outside Zimbabwe. The United Kingdom sends the most guests from abroad, with 23% of reviewers, ahead of South Africa at 13%.
71% of Bulawayo guests come from abroad
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Bulawayo guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Harare | 19.4% |
| Bulawayo | 3.1% |
| Johannesburg | 2.6% |
| London | 2.4% |
Where Bulawayo guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Zimbabwe | 28.8% |
| United Kingdom | 23.4% |
| South Africa | 13.4% |
| Australia | 6.6% |
| United States | 5.4% |
Languages spoken by Bulawayo guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 66.7% |
| Zulu | 8.6% |
| French | 7.2% |
| German | 3.2% |
| Spanish | 2.6% |
Bulawayo Airbnbs average 4.73 stars, and 24% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and location is the lowest, at 4.72.
Communication scores highest in Bulawayo; location is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.74 |
| Cleanliness | 4.78 |
| Communication | 4.84 |
| Location | 4.72 |
| Check-in | 4.78 |
| Value | 4.75 |
Booking patterns
More than nine in ten Bulawayo listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 7% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 1 to 30 days a year, covering 45% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Bulawayo listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 74.0% | 185 |
| 181-270 days | 18.8% | 47 |
| 91-180 days | 6.8% | 17 |
| 31-90 days | 0.4% | 1 |
Days a year Bulawayo listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 0.4% | 1 |
| 181-270 days | 6.8% | 17 |
| 91-180 days | 20.0% | 50 |
| 31-90 days | 28.0% | 70 |
| 1-30 days | 44.8% | 112 |
Bookings in Bulawayo average 3.6 to 5.1 nights depending on the month, longest in April and shortest in November. Listings took about 11 bookings each over the year, some 2,780 in all. Nearly half of listings that give a check-in time set it at 2 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Bulawayo
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
Two-year average by calendar month.
94% of listings in Bulawayo accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Bulawayo listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Flexible is the most common cancellation policy in Bulawayo, used by 46% of listings; it refunds guests in full if they cancel at least a day before check-in. Hosts here lean flexible: about seven in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms, against 26% on Firm or stricter ones.
Cancellation policies of Bulawayo listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
More than a third of Bulawayo listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is $9, but a minority of much higher fees lifts the average to $22, so the median is the better guide. Spread over the average stay of about five nights, that adds roughly $2 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 2% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Bulawayo, a five-bedroom home, took in $31,700 over the past year, about 5.9 times the city's average of $5,350.
Chris brook Entire home · 5 bedrooms Rated 4.52
Bluebird’s Nest Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.86
PalmPlace-3bed 3bath Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.89
Josy’s Place Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.82
Peaceful updated farm house in town Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.91
The Residence41 Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 4.92 Mufaro is the top-grossing host in Bulawayo, with $60,800 in bookings across 4 listings over the past year. Hosting here is fragmented: the ten top-grossing hosts run just 12% of the market's 250 listings.
| # | Host | Listings | Gross revenue | Per listing | Avg. rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mufaro | 4 | $60,785 | $15,196 | 4.88/5 | |
| Mandy | 6 | $51,159 | $8,527 | 4.80/5 | |
| Yvonne | 5 | $46,191 | $9,238 | 4.86/5 | |
| 4 | Janelle | 2 | $44,521 | $22,261 | 4.92/5 |
| 5 | Patience | 2 | $38,145 | $19,073 | 4.62/5 |
| 6 | Dzikamayi Geoffrey | 2 | $33,515 | $16,758 | 4.86/5 |
| 7 | Petty | 2 | $32,307 | $16,154 | 4.82/5 |
| 8 | Gail | 1 | $30,839 | $30,839 | 4.86/5 |
| 9 | Trust | 2 | $30,234 | $15,117 | 4.72/5 |
| 10 | Shelta Tabita | 5 | $28,605 | $5,721 | 4.83/5 |
Only 2% of Bulawayo listings are classed as professionally managed, though 32% of listings have a co-host. Superhosts run 36% of listings. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 76% of listings.
Nearby markets
There is no other market with 30 or more active listings within 100 km of Bulawayo to compare it with.
See all 2 Bulawayo Province Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in Zimbabwe with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Bulawayo:
FAQ
An active Bulawayo Airbnb grossed US$5,355 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 250 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in US$1,200 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Bulawayo listings earn between US$279 and US$1,200 in a typical month, and the top tenth US$1,890 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Bulawayo were booked on 29% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 30% for the national average. December is usually the busiest month.
The average booked night in Bulawayo cost US$85 before fees. Half of listings charge between US$44 and US$110, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Bulawayo listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Bulawayo Airbnb grossed US$5,355 in the 12 months to September 2026, 18% below the national average of US$6,540, counting listings open only part of the year. A listing at the top-quarter mark, run by its owner with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, has about US$720 a month left before the mortgage or rent, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit. Check a specific home in the Airbnb estimator.
April usually pays best, averaging US$1,120 per active listing over the past two years, and February usually pays least. The month-by-month table above shows how the latest 12 months played out.
Each night a Bulawayo listing was open to book earned US$24 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made US$49 or more.
Bulawayo stays were booked 33 days (about five weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Bulawayo Airbnb stay lasts about five nights. A listing took 11 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Bulawayo Airbnbs 4.73 out of 5 on average. Guests score communication highest and location lowest.
City Centre, Suburbs and Khami Ruins draw the most short-term rental interest in Bulawayo. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 250 active Airbnb listings in Bulawayo as of September 2026.
In Bulawayo, more than a third of listings add a cleaning fee. The median fee is US$9, but a minority of much higher fees lifts the average to US$22, so the median is the better guide.
Method
Figures on this page cover 250 active Airbnb listings in Bulawayo from October 2025 to September 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. Money figures are in U.S. dollars. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.