Arusha

As of June 2026, Arusha, Moshi, Karatu have 799 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Arusha generates TZS6.1M per year. High-performing properties earn TZS36.2M/year, while low-performing properties earn TZS1.7M/year. The massive performance gap highlights a bifurcated market where top-tier assets capture the bulk of available demand, leaving the vast majority of listings to struggle with limited utilization.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Arusha. Average annual revenue is TZS6.1M with 10% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to TZS36.2M/year. This variance suggests that revenue potential is highly localized or asset-specific, as the low average occupancy indicates that most inventory is not effectively capturing the market's travel cycles.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Arusha is 10%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of TZS225K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of TZS14K per day.

3-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Arusha, with annual revenue of TZS8.2M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Arusha market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Arusha area. I don't have reliable data on short-term rental regulations or enforcement practices for Arusha, Moshi, or Karatu in Tanzania. These smaller Tanzanian cities lack well-documented STR regulatory frameworks comparable to major international cities. Local tourism licensing through Tanzania Tourism Board may apply, but specific municipal STR rules, enforcement levels, and host compliance patterns are not publicly available. I recommend contacting local municipal offices or tourism authorities directly for current requirements. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Arusha Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 39%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. Despite stable inventory growth, the sharp decline in RevPAR suggests that existing listings are facing significant downward pressure on pricing power or booking frequency.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -25% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (November-September) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Arusha listings include: Kitchen (97%), Tv (73%), Private Yard (64%), Washing Machine (58%), Balcony (48%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Bbq, Air Conditioning, with Pool properties earning approximately 74% more (TZS49.8M/year vs TZS28.6M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Arusha over the last 12 months: May: TZS395K, June: TZS397K, July: TZS460K, August: TZS483K, September: TZS360K, October: TZS454K, November: TZS388K, December: TZS674K, January: TZS435K, February: TZS364K, March: TZS494K, April: TZS394K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Arusha is TZS225K, up 6% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average TZS197K/night, 2-bedroom properties average TZS200K/night, 3-bedroom properties average TZS254K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average TZS312K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in July.

Guests in Arusha book an average of 19 days in advance, down 26% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 18 days, 2-bedroom: 21 days, 3-bedroom: 20 days, 4+ bedroom: 19 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Arusha Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 1%, revenue per listing decreased 39%, occupancy fell 26%, average nightly rates increased 6%, and lead time decreased 26%. Shorter lead times and lower occupancy point to a shift toward last-minute booking behaviors, complicating revenue stabilization for operators.

In Arusha, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Sunday. Weekends show 12% higher occupancy than weekdays.