Bulawayo
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Overview
Annual Rev
$8.7k
12 mo avg
↓3%
from prior 12 mo
Occupancy rate
🔒 2•%
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Avg daily rate
🔒 $9•
12 mo avg
••.•%
from prior 12 mo
Lead time
16 days
12 mo avg
↓7 days
from prior 12 mo
Revpar
$19
12 mo avg
↓19%
from prior 12 mo
Methodology note: Figures reflect Bulawayo market data as of June 2026. Data covers Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com listings. Values are seasonally influenced; rounding applied for readability.
Revenue per listing by bedroom
Bedroom count:
0
1
2
3
4+
Short-term rental supply growth
Performance metrics by bedroom
Bedrooms
Annual Rev
Supply
Revenue boost by amenity
| Amenity | Listings With | Revenue Boost | Revenue With | Revenue Without |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washing Machine | 52 (68%) | +$2,824 (+19%) | $17,664 | $14,840 |
| 🔒 Amenity | 🔒 5• (••%) | 🔒 +$5••• (+••%) | 🔒 $7•••• | 🔒 $7•••• |
Nightly rate by day of week
Occupancy rate by day of week
Listings by channel
Listings by rental type
Listings by amenities
Listings by size
4+ bedrooms (0%)
Listings by availability
Length of stay by bedroom
3 bedrooms (13.3 nights)
1 bedroom (5.5 nights)
2 bedrooms (5.3 nights)
Studio (5.2 nights)
4+ bedrooms (3.6 nights)
Cleaning fee by bedroom
3 bedrooms ($19)
2 bedrooms ($8)
1 bedroom ($7)
Studio ($0)
4+ bedrooms ($0)
Professional host share
Independent hosts (51%)
Professionally managed (49%)
As of June 2026, Bulawayo has 395 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 10% increase from the previous year.
The average Airbnb or VRBO in Bulawayo generates $5K per year. High-performing properties earn $17K/year, while low-performing properties earn $1K/year. The massive delta between top and bottom earners suggests that market success is heavily bifurcated, with a small segment of listings capturing the majority of demand despite stagnant supply growth.
Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Bulawayo. Average annual revenue is $5K with 14% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to $17K/year. This low average occupancy indicates a saturated market where top performers likely benefit from specific niche appeal or operational advantages that allow them to outperform the broader, underutilized supply.
The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Bulawayo is 14%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of $94, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of $11 per day.
3-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Bulawayo, with annual revenue of $7K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Bulawayo market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.
Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Bulawayo area. I don't have reliable current data on short-term rental regulations specific to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The regulatory framework for STRs in Zimbabwe is still developing, and enforcement information for Bulawayo specifically is not well-documented in available sources. I recommend contacting Bulawayo City Council directly or consulting a local legal advisor for accurate, current requirements and enforcement practices. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.
The Bulawayo Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing increasingly competitive conditions. Supply has grown 10% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 15%. This indicates growing competition requiring strong operations. The inverse relationship between supply expansion and revenue contraction signals a dilution of booking opportunities across the existing host base.
Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak spring season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 59% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (January-February) when gaining traction is harder.
The most common amenities in Bulawayo listings include: Kitchen (93%), Tv (90%), Washing Machine (72%), Bbq (64%), Private Yard (62%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Air Conditioning, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 13% more ($16K/year vs $15K/year).
Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Bulawayo over the last 12 months: May: $214, June: $225, July: $306, August: $376, September: $281, October: $342, November: $265, December: $509, January: $226, February: $186, March: $264, April: $866. 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 Bulawayo is $94, up 12% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average $53/night, 2-bedroom properties average $95/night, 3-bedroom properties average $110/night, 4+ bedroom properties average $158/night. Rates peak in April and are lowest in September.
Guests in Bulawayo book an average of 16 days in advance, down 32% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 14 days, 2-bedroom: 16 days, 3-bedroom: 17 days, 4+ bedroom: 18 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.
Over the past year, the Bulawayo Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply grew 10%, revenue per listing decreased 15%, occupancy fell 12%, average nightly rates increased 12%, and lead time decreased 32%. Rising nightly rates alongside falling occupancy and shorter lead times suggest a market struggling to absorb new inventory, leading to erratic booking patterns.
In Bulawayo, Friday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Friday and are lowest on Wednesday. Weekends show 30% higher occupancy than weekdays.