Dar Es Salaam

As of June 2026, Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar City have 1,165 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 2% increase from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Dar es Salaam generates TZS9.4M per year. High-performing properties earn TZS36.4M/year, while low-performing properties earn TZS2.6M/year. This massive variance suggests that market success is heavily concentrated, indicating that top-tier listings are capturing a disproportionate share of limited demand while the majority struggle to gain traction.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Dar es Salaam. Average annual revenue is TZS9.4M with 16% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to TZS36.4M/year. The low average occupancy reflects a highly competitive environment where revenue is driven by niche performance rather than broad market demand.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Dar es Salaam is 16%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of TZS200K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of TZS20K per day.

3-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Dar es Salaam, with annual revenue of TZS14.7M. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Dar es Salaam market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Dar es Salaam area. Dar es Salaam: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or licensing requirements. General business registration advised but rarely enforced. Minimal government oversight of short-term rentals. Zanzibar City: Lenient. Tourism licensing through Zanzibar Commission for Tourism exists but enforcement is inconsistent. Many hosts operate informally without permits. Light oversight in practice. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Dar es Salaam Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has grown 2% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 41%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. While supply growth remains stagnant, the sharp decline in revenue per listing suggests that existing demand is struggling to sustain current inventory levels.

Launch around May, 2-3 months before peak winter season (August peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -29% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (March-February) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Dar es Salaam listings include: Kitchen (99%), Air Conditioning (97%), Tv (94%), Washing Machine (75%), Balcony (48%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Pool, Air Conditioning, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 94% more (TZS42.3M/year vs TZS21.8M/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Dar es Salaam over the last 12 months: May: TZS619K, June: TZS778K, July: TZS830K, August: TZS836K, September: TZS677K, October: TZS612K, November: TZS432K, December: TZS668K, January: TZS582K, February: TZS346K, March: TZS483K, April: TZS627K. 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 Dar es Salaam is TZS200K, up 15% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average TZS139K/night, 2-bedroom properties average TZS201K/night, 3-bedroom properties average TZS308K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average TZS566K/night. Rates peak in June and are lowest in November.

Guests in Dar es Salaam book an average of 13 days in advance, down 39% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 11 days, 2-bedroom: 12 days, 3-bedroom: 16 days, 4+ bedroom: 20 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Dar es Salaam Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 2%, revenue per listing decreased 41%, occupancy fell 30%, average nightly rates increased 15%, and lead time decreased 39%. These metrics highlight a market shift toward shorter booking windows and higher pricing friction, forcing hosts to adapt to rapidly changing consumer behavior.

In Dar es Salaam, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Monday. Weekends show 5% higher occupancy than weekdays.