Lusaka Airbnb Market Analysis 2025: Short Term Rental Data & Vacation Rental Statistics in Lusaka Province, Zambia

Source: AirROI
Last updated: 2025-03-31

Is Airbnb profitable in Lusaka in 2025? Explore comprehensive Airbnb analytics for Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia to uncover income potential. This 2025 STR market report for Lusaka, based on AirROI data from April 2024 to March 2025, reveals key trends in the market of 294 active listings.

Whether you're considering an Airbnb investment in Lusaka, optimizing your existing vacation rental, or exploring rental arbitrage opportunities, understanding the Lusaka Airbnb data is crucial. Leveraging the low regulation environment is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Let's dive into the specifics.

Key Lusaka Airbnb Performance Metrics Overview

Avg. Daily Rate (ADR)(?)
$73
The average rental revenue earned for an occupied room per day in Lusaka.
Occupancy Rate(?)
32.4%
Moderate demand with booking opportunities.
Median Annual Revenue(?)
$4,840
Typical annual income for an Airbnb listing in Lusaka. Factors like property type, size, and location influence actual earnings.
Revenue Growth YoY(?)
22.3%
Strong growth (22.3%) vs. last year.
Peak Revenue Month(?)
May
The month with the highest average earnings, indicating peak season in Lusaka.
Lowest Revenue Month(?)
February
The month with the lowest average earnings, indicating the low season in Lusaka.
STR Regulation Level(?)
Low
Fewer regulations, offering more operational flexibility.
Active Airbnb Listings(?)
294
Total number of active short-term rentals listed.

Monthly Airbnb Revenue Variations & Income Potential in Lusaka (2025)

Understanding the monthly revenue variations for Airbnb listings in Lusaka is key to maximizing your short term rental income potential. Seasonality significantly impacts earnings. Our analysis, based on data from the past 12 months, shows that the peak revenue month for STRs in Lusaka is typically May, while February often presents the lowest earnings, highlighting opportunities for strategic pricing adjustments during shoulder and low seasons. Explore the typical Airbnb income in Lusaka across different performance tiers:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve $1,609+ monthly, often utilizing dynamic pricing and superior guest experiences.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) earn $1,035 or more, indicating effective management and desirable locations/amenities.
  • Typical properties (Median) generate around $532 per month, representing the average market performance.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) see earnings around $223, often with potential for optimization.

Average Monthly Airbnb Earnings Trend in Lusaka

Lusaka Airbnb Occupancy Rate Trends (2025)

Maximize your bookings by understanding the Lusaka STR occupancy trends. Seasonal demand shifts significantly influence how often properties are booked. Typically, Julysees the highest demand (peak season occupancy), while June experiences the lowest (low season). Effective strategies, like adjusting minimum stays or offering promotions, can boost occupancy during slower periods. Here's how different property tiers perform in Lusaka:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) achieve 76%+ occupancy, indicating high desirability and potentially optimized availability.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) maintain 52% or higher occupancy, suggesting good market fit and guest satisfaction.
  • Typical properties (Median) have an occupancy rate around 28%.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) average 12% occupancy, potentially facing higher vacancy.

Average Monthly Occupancy Rate Trend in Lusaka

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Airbnb Trends in Lusaka (2025)

Effective short term rental pricing strategy in Lusaka involves understanding monthly ADR fluctuations. The Average Daily Rate (ADR) for Airbnb in Lusaka typically peaks in October and dips lowest during January. Leveraging Airbnb dynamic pricing tools or strategies based on this seasonality can significantly boost revenue. Here's a look at the typical nightly rates achieved:

  • Best-in-class properties (Top 10%) command rates of $124+ per night, often due to premium features or locations.
  • Strong performing properties (Top 25%) achieve nightly rates of $86 or more.
  • Typical properties (Median) charge around $56 per night.
  • Entry-level properties (Bottom 25%) earn around $39 per night.

Average Daily Rate (ADR) Trend by Month in Lusaka

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Airbnb Seasonality Analysis & Trends in Lusaka (2025)

Peak Season (May, April, June)
  • Revenue averages $932 per month
  • Occupancy rates average 33.3%
  • Daily rates average $79
Shoulder Season
  • Revenue averages $704 per month
  • Occupancy maintains around 36.6%
  • Daily rates hold near $75
Low Season (February, March, September)
  • Revenue drops to average $563 per month
  • Occupancy decreases to average 32.9%
  • Daily rates adjust to average $74

Seasonality Insights for Lusaka

  • The Airbnb seasonality in Lusaka shows highly seasonal trends requiring careful strategy. While the sections above show seasonal averages, it's also insightful to look at the extremes:
  • During the high season, the absolute peak month showcases Lusaka's highest earning potential, with monthly revenues capable of climbing to $1,013, occupancy reaching a high of 38.7%, and ADRs peaking at $80.
  • Conversely, the slowest single month of the year, typically falling within the low season, marks the market's lowest point. In this month, revenue might dip to $501, occupancy could drop to 30.7%, and ADRs may adjust down to $70.
  • Understanding both the seasonal averages and these monthly peaks and troughs in revenue, occupancy, and ADR is crucial for maximizing your Airbnb profit potential in Lusaka.

Seasonal Strategies for Maximizing Profit

  • Peak Season: Maximize revenue through premium pricing and potentially longer minimum stays. Ensure high availability.
  • Low Season: Offer competitive pricing, special promotions (e.g., extended stay discounts), and flexible cancellation policies. Target off-season travelers like remote workers or budget-conscious guests.
  • Shoulder Seasons: Implement dynamic pricing that balances peak and low rates. Target weekend travelers or specific events. Offer slightly more flexible terms than peak season.
  • Regularly analyze your own performance against these Lusaka seasonality benchmarks and adjust your pricing and availability strategy accordingly.

Best Areas for Airbnb Investment in Lusaka (2025)

Exploring the top neighborhoods for short-term rentals in Lusaka? This section highlights key areas, outlining why they are attractive for hosts and guests, along with notable local attractions. Consider these locations based on your target guest profile and investment strategy.

Neighborhood / AreaWhy Host Here? (Target Guests & Appeal)Key Attractions & Landmarks
Lusaka Central
The bustling heart of Lusaka, perfect for both business and leisure travelers. Close to government offices, shopping districts, and cultural attractions.
National Museum of Zambia, Kabwe Road Shopping Mall, Cairo Road, Independence Avenue, Lusaka Playhouse
Woodlands
A suburban area popular with families and expatriates, offering a mix of residential comfort and access to amenities.
Woodlands mall, Shamwari Lodge, Manda Hill Mall, Woodlands Theatre
New Makambako
A rapidly developing area with modern housing and amenities, attracting both locals and expatriates looking for comfortable living.
New Makambako Park, Local markets, Development projects, Community centers
Kamwala
A vibrant area known for its local markets and lively atmosphere; attracts budget travelers and those looking for an authentic Zambian experience.
Kamwala Market, Local eateries, Zambia National Football Stadium
Chilenje
A well-established residential area with a rich cultural vibe and close-knit community; offers affordable stays for long-term guests.
Chilenje market, Local community centers, Art galleries, Cafes and restaurants
Ibex Hill
A tranquil suburb with more spacious accommodations and proximity to nature, favored by families and longer-stay visitors.
Ibex Hill Nature Reserve, Local parks, Family-friendly restaurants
Kabulonga
An affluent suburb known for its luxurious properties and expatriate community, a prime area for high-end Airbnb rentals.
Kabulonga Shopping Mall, Fine dining restaurants, International schools
Matero
A traditional Zambian neighborhood that offers a glimpse into local life, popular among travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience.
Matero Market, Local music venues, Community events

Understanding Airbnb License Requirements & STR Laws in Lusaka (2025)

While Lusaka, Lusaka Province, Zambia currently shows low STR regulations, specific Airbnb license requirements might still exist or change. Always verify the latest short term rental regulations and Airbnb license requirements directly with local government authorities for Lusaka to ensure full compliance before hosting.

(Source: AirROI data, 2025, finding no licensed listings among those analyzed)

Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Lusaka (2025)

Benchmark your potential! Explore examples of top-performing Airbnb properties in Lusakabased on Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) revenue. Analyze their characteristics, revenue, occupancy rate, and ADR to understand what drives success in this market.

iYula TownHouse - Bespoke Comfort

iYula TownHouse - Bespoke Comfort

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$32,567
Revenue
68.8%
Occupancy
$114.09
Daily Rate
EMC with a Private PooI|InverterlWifI|Dstv lusaka

EMC with a Private PooI|InverterlWifI|Dstv lusaka

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$27,117
Revenue
60.5%
Occupancy
$110.68
Daily Rate
Roma, Lusaka, spacious and comfy, just like home

Roma, Lusaka, spacious and comfy, just like home

Entire Place • 3 bedrooms

$20,487
Revenue
67.2%
Occupancy
$74.32
Daily Rate
Zano serviced  Apartments A

Zano serviced Apartments A

Entire Place • 4 bedrooms

$18,826
Revenue
46.6%
Occupancy
$121.81
Daily Rate
Tranquil Guesthouse (with backup power supply)

Tranquil Guesthouse (with backup power supply)

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$18,366
Revenue
49.3%
Occupancy
$80.67
Daily Rate
Stunning 2 Bedroom Flat.

Stunning 2 Bedroom Flat.

Entire Place • 2 bedrooms

$18,189
Revenue
63.4%
Occupancy
$71.42
Daily Rate

Note: Performance varies based on location, size, amenities, seasonality, and management quality. Data reflects the past 12 months.

Top Performing Airbnb Hosts in Lusaka (2025)

Learn from the best! This table showcases top-performing Airbnb hosts in Lusaka based on the number of properties managed and estimated total revenue over the past year. Analyze their scale and performance metrics.

Host NamePropertiesGrossing RevenueStay ReviewsAvg Rating
Cynthia11$65,679413.02/5.0
Marjolein9$59,8083864.84/5.0
Musonda3$39,839454.80/5.0
Peter3$39,114334.60/5.0
Namwayi2$35,230324.46/5.0
Diana5$34,3571174.87/5.0
Mary2$31,1442704.96/5.0
Mwenya2$29,368564.78/5.0
Judy3$28,6701394.87/5.0
Emma1$27,117224.68/5.0

Analyzing the strategies of top hosts, such as their property selection, pricing, and guest communication, can offer valuable lessons for optimizing your own Airbnb operations in Lusaka.

Dive Deeper: Advanced Lusaka STR Market Data (2025)

Ready to unlock more insights? AirROI provides access to advanced metrics and comprehensive Airbnb data for Lusaka. Explore detailed analytics beyond this report to refine your investment strategy, optimize pricing, and maximize your vacation rental profits.

Explore Advanced Metrics

Lusaka Short-Term Rental Market Composition (2025): Property & Room Types

Room Type Distribution

Property Type Distribution

Market Composition Insights for Lusaka

  • The Lusaka Airbnb market composition is heavily skewed towards Entire Home/Apt listings, which make up 84.4% of the 294 active rentals. This indicates strong guest preference for privacy and space.
  • Looking at the property type distribution in Lusaka, Apartment/Condo properties are the most common (49.7%), reflecting the local real estate landscape.
  • Houses represent a significant 33.3% portion, catering likely to families or larger groups.
  • The presence of 12.9% Hotel/Boutique listings indicates integration with traditional hospitality.
  • Smaller segments like outdoor/unique, others, unique stays (combined 4.0%) offer potential for unique stay experiences.

Lusaka Airbnb Room Capacity Analysis (2025): Bedroom Distribution

Distribution of Listings by Number of Bedrooms

Room Capacity Insights for Lusaka

  • The dominant room capacity in Lusaka is 2 bedrooms listings, making up 38.4% of the market. This suggests a strong demand for properties suitable for couples or solo travelers.
  • Together, 2 bedrooms and 1 bedroom properties represent 67.7% of the active Airbnb listings in Lusaka, indicating a high concentration in these sizes.
  • A significant 24.5% of listings offer 3+ bedrooms, catering to larger groups and families seeking more space in Lusaka.

Lusaka Vacation Rental Guest Capacity Trends (2025)

Distribution of Listings by Guest Capacity

Guest Capacity Insights for Lusaka

  • The most common guest capacity trend in Lusaka vacation rentals is listings accommodating 4 guests (33.7%). This suggests the primary traveler segment is likely small families or groups.
  • Properties designed for 4 guests and 2 guests dominate the Lusaka STR market, accounting for 63.0% of listings.
  • 19.4% of properties accommodate 6+ guests, serving the market segment for larger families or group travel in Lusaka.
  • On average, properties in Lusaka are equipped to host 3.5 guests.

Lusaka Airbnb Booking Patterns (2025): Available vs. Booked Days

Available Days Distribution

Booked Days Distribution

Booking Pattern Insights for Lusaka

  • The most common availability pattern in Lusaka falls within the 271-366 days range, representing 61.9% of listings. This suggests many properties have significant open periods on their calendars.
  • Approximately 89.5% of listings show high availability (181+ days open annually), indicating potential for increased bookings or specific owner usage patterns.
  • For booked days, the 1-30 days range is most frequent in Lusaka (34.7%), reflecting common guest stay durations or potential owner blocking patterns.
  • A notable 11.3% of properties secure long booking periods (181+ days booked per year), highlighting successful long-term rental strategies or significant owner usage.

Lusaka Airbnb Minimum Stay Requirements Analysis

Distribution of Listings by Minimum Night Requirement

1 Night (56%)

1 Night

158 listings

56% of total

2 Nights (28%)

2 Nights

79 listings

28% of total

3 Nights (5.7%)

3 Nights

16 listings

5.7% of total

4-6 Nights (2.8%)

4-6 Nights

8 listings

2.8% of total

7-29 Nights (2.8%)

7-29 Nights

8 listings

2.8% of total

30+ Nights (4.6%)

30+ Nights

13 listings

4.6% of total

Key Insights

  • The most prevalent minimum stay requirement in Lusaka is 1 Night, adopted by 56% of listings. This highlights the market's preference for shorter, flexible bookings.
  • A strong majority (84.0%) of the Lusaka Airbnb data shows acceptance of very short stays (1-2 nights), indicating a dynamic, high-turnover market.

Recommendations

  • Align with the market by considering a 1 Night minimum stay, as 56% of Lusaka hosts use this setting.
  • Adjust minimum nights based on seasonality – potentially shorter during low season and longer during peak demand periods in Lusaka.

Lusaka Airbnb Cancellation Policy Trends Analysis (2025)

Flexible (59%)

Flexible

138 listings

59% of total

Moderate (24.4%)

Moderate

57 listings

24.4% of total

Firm

11 listings

4.7% of total

Strict (12%)

Strict

28 listings

12% of total

Cancellation Policy Insights for Lusaka

  • The prevailing Airbnb cancellation policy trend in Lusaka is Flexible, used by 59% of listings.
  • The market strongly favors guest-friendly terms, with 83.4% of listings offering Flexible or Moderate policies. This suggests guests in Lusaka may expect booking flexibility.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Consider adopting a Flexible policy to align with the 59% market standard in Lusaka.
  • Given the high prevalence of Flexible policies (59%), offering this can enhance booking appeal, especially during shoulder seasons.
  • Using a Strict policy might deter some guests, as only 12% of listings use it. Evaluate if potential revenue protection outweighs possible lower booking rates.
  • Regularly review your cancellation policy against competitors and market demand shifts in Lusaka.

Lusaka STR Booking Lead Time Analysis (2025)

Average Booking Lead Time by Month

Booking Lead Time Insights for Lusaka

  • The overall average booking lead time for vacation rentals in Lusaka is 24 days.
  • Guests book furthest in advance for stays during April (average 40 days), likely coinciding with peak travel demand or local events.
  • The shortest booking windows occur for stays in February (average 19 days), indicating more last-minute travel plans during this time.
  • Seasonally, Spring (35 days avg.) sees the longest lead times, while Winter (24 days avg.) has the shortest, reflecting typical travel planning cycles.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Use the overall average lead time (24 days) as a baseline for your pricing and availability strategy in Lusaka.
  • For April stays, consider implementing length-of-stay discounts or slightly higher rates for bookings made less than 40 days out to capitalize on advance planning.
  • Target marketing efforts for the Spring season well in advance (at least 35 days) to capture early planners.
  • Monitor your own booking lead times against these Lusaka averages to identify opportunities for dynamic pricing adjustments.

Popular & Essential Airbnb Amenities in Lusaka (2025)

Amenity Prevalence

Amenity Insights for Lusaka

  • Essential amenities in Lusaka that guests expect include: Free parking on premises, TV, Wifi, Kitchen. Lacking these (any) could significantly impact bookings.
  • Popular amenities like Hot water, Essentials, Refrigerator are common but not universal. Offering these can provide a competitive edge.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Ensure your listing includes all essential amenities for Lusaka: Free parking on premises, TV, Wifi, Kitchen.
  • Prioritize adding missing essentials: Free parking on premises, TV, Wifi, Kitchen.
  • Consider adding popular differentiators like Hot water or Essentials to increase appeal.
  • Highlight unique or less common amenities you offer (e.g., hot tub, dedicated workspace, EV charger) in your listing description and photos.
  • Regularly check competitor amenities in Lusaka to stay competitive.

Lusaka Airbnb Guest Demographics & Profile Analysis (2025)

Guest Origin: Domestic vs. International
Top 5 Cities of Origin
Top 5 Countries of Origin
Top 5 Languages Spoken
Guest Age Distribution (Birth Decade)

Guest Profile Summary for Lusaka

  • The typical guest profile for Airbnb in Lusaka consists of predominantly international visitors (84%), with top international origins including Zambia, typically belonging to the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group (50%), primarily speaking English or French.
  • Domestic travelers account for 16.4% of guests.
  • Key international markets include United Kingdom (17%) and Zambia (16.4%).
  • Top languages spoken are English (55.8%) followed by French (10.4%).
  • A significant demographic segment is the Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) group, representing 50% of guests.

Recommendations for Hosts

  • Focus marketing internationally, particularly towards travelers from Zambia.
  • Tailor amenities and listing descriptions to appeal to the dominant Post-2000s (Gen Z/Alpha) demographic (e.g., highlight fast WiFi, smart home features, local guides).
  • Highlight unique local experiences or amenities relevant to the primary guest profile.
  • Consider seasonal promotions aligned with peak travel times for key origin markets.

Nearby Short-Term Rental Market Comparison

How does the Lusaka Airbnb market stack up against its neighbors? Compare key performance metrics like average monthly revenue, ADR, and occupancy rates in surrounding areas to understand the broader regional STR landscape.

MarketActive PropertiesMonthly RevenueDaily RateAvg. Occupancy
Kariba22$807$211.1723%

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