Zanzibar is attracting a new wave of travellers, from honeymooners to safari-goers finishing their trips on the beach. With tourism numbers rising fast (July 2025 saw over 106,000 international visitors, a 55% increase year-on-year), rental demand is strong, especially for villas in the north of the island.

If you already own a property here, or you’re thinking about buying one, the right strategies can turn it into a consistent income generator. Below are simple, practical tips based on local data, trends and what we see performing well at Sandbank Villas.

1. Pick a Location Guests Actively Look For

Where your property sits on the island plays a major role in how often it gets booked.

North Zanzibar (Nungwi & Kendwa) = highest demand.

These beaches stay swimmable all year, have calm water, and attract the largest share of long-stay luxury travellers. This is why many new high-end projects, including Sandbank Villas, are based here.

What guests pay more for:

Direct beach access or elevated ocean views
Proximity to dining, beach clubs, diving and sandbanks
Good road access to the airport (~80–90 minutes)

If you can’t change your location, you can still strengthen performance by upgrading views, access, and amenities - but a strong location builds demand naturally.

One of the reasons Sandbank Villas performs so well is its position above the Nungwi sandbanks and its connection to Zubea, the upcoming five-star resort. Owners benefit from a premium location and a full resort environment, which is something many standalone villas on the island can’t offer.

Find out more about Zanzibar as an investment destination.

2. Offer the Amenities Luxury Travellers Expect

High nightly rates come from offering things guests can’t easily get elsewhere on the island.

Based on villa performance across Zanzibar, these features consistently increase your Average Daily Rate (ADR):

Private pool
Outdoor dining or BBQ area (very popular with families and groups)
Fast WiFi for remote workers
Modern kitchen and well-designed living areas
Cinema room or entertainment space (common in Sandbank Villas units)
Air conditioning in all bedrooms
High-quality linens and mattresses

Our villas, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, private pools, and shaded outdoor spaces, typically achieve rates in excess of $1,400 per night for comparable luxury projects on the island.

3. Use Professional Management Instead of Going Solo

Managing a villa yourself may seem tempting, but in Zanzibar’s tropical climate (and with demanding luxury guests) it can quickly become overwhelming.

A professional hospitality team can really add value through:

Dynamic pricing (adjusted daily for demand)
Quality housekeeping that keeps ratings high
Fast guest communication
24/7 on-island support for maintenance
Hotel-style standards that justify premium rates

Hard Launch Hospitality (who manage Sandbank Villas) already handles some of the island’s top-performing properties, with nightly rates starting at $1,000. That expertise has a big impact on occupancy and reviews.

If your villa is in a managed resort environment, your rental income tends to be steadier because you benefit from:

Shared marketing
Brand consistency
Security
Resort amenities (gym, spa, restaurants)

4. Join a Rental Pool for More Predictable Income

If your development offers a rental pool, it’s usually the smartest route for long-term returns.

A rental pool:

Distributes income across all participating owners
Avoids price undercutting between villas
Ensures consistent quality
Funds strong marketing and guest services
Reduces risk - you don’t suffer from occasional low-occupancy weeks

Revenue at Sandbank Villas is shared pro-rata, with higher-performing units naturally earning more. Owners also get up to 30 days of personal use each year without losing management benefits.

Curious to learn more? Read more about investing in Sankbank villas.

5. Price Smartly Across Seasons

Zanzibar has a clear rhythm to demand. Pricing your property as “one rate all year” leaves income on the table.

Here’s a simple breakdown of what typically works:

Peak Season:

July–September, Christmas, New Year, Easter
Highest ADR and longest average stays
Minimum nights of 4–7 often acceptable

High Season:

December, late January–March
Families, honeymooners, safari extensions

Shoulder Season:

October–November
Still high occupancy, often driven by European travellers

Low Season:

Late April–June
Shorter stays and lower ADR
Ideal time for maintenance and upgrades

Our management team always uses real occupancy data, global holiday calendars and airline route changes (34+ direct flights as of 2024) to adjust rates daily.

6. Invest in Strong Photography and Video

High-quality visuals drastically improve your booking rate.

What converts best:

Golden-hour photography
Drone shots of your pool, beach, or elevation
Close-ups of interior details (natural materials, textures)
Floor plans and virtual tours
A short lifestyle video of the villa

Sandbank Villas’ virtual walkthroughs and guided video tours show how much this helps guests picture themselves living there.

If guests can imagine the experience, they’re willing to pay more and book longer stays.

7. Upgrade the Guest Experience - It Directly Impacts Reviews

Great reviews increase both occupancy and rate. A villa with a consistent rating of 4.8+ can earn 20–30% more than a similar villa with lower ratings.

Popular add-ons:

Welcome basket with fresh fruit and local snacks
Smooth check-in with a WhatsApp concierge
Pre-arrival grocery shopping
Private chef or seafood BBQ night
Spa treatments arranged at the villa
Help organising dhow sails, snorkelling, or sandbank excursions

Hard Launch Hospitality, for example, offers a unique experience that guests love. Small gestures create memorable moments, and chargeable extras.

8. Keep Maintenance Proactive, Not Reactive

Zanzibar’s salt air, humidity and sun can wear down homes faster than in cooler climates. Preventing problems saves money in the long run.

Focus on:

Regular AC servicing
Pool pump checks
Deep cleaning of outdoor areas
Proper storage for linens and electronics
Regular painting or sealing of wood and stone
Pest control (especially in coastal areas)

Because we use professional teams, these tasks are already built into weekly, monthly and annual schedules - something individual owners often underestimate.

9. Highlight What Makes Your Property Unique

Travellers choose villas for different reasons. Make your strengths obvious in your listing and marketing.

Possible selling points:

“Walk to the sandbanks in minutes”
“Private pool overlooking the ocean”
“Family-friendly layout with two master suites”
“Cinema room for movie nights”
“Close to dive centres and turtle conservation sites”
“Part of a five-star resort with gym and spa access”

10. Work with a Brand Guests Already Trust

This is where resort-backed villas perform better than standalone homes.

A known development:

Attracts higher-spending guests
Benefits from global press coverage (e.g., Luxury Lifestyle Awards, International Property Awards)
Has a consistent service standard
Is easier to market internationally
Enjoys repeat guests and referrals

For example, Sandbank Villas recently won two global awards, and the demand for its Oceanview Villas has accelerated as a result. Investors benefit directly from that credibility.

11. Keep Your Listing Fresh

Whether you’re listed on booking platforms, with agents, or within a resort structure:

Refresh your listing every 2–3 months by:

Updating photos seasonally
Adding new experiences
Adjusting descriptions based on guest feedback
Highlighting new amenities or improvements
Sharing recent reviews
Including nearby openings (e.g., new restaurants, direct flights, new resorts like Four Seasons coming to Zanzibar)

A small update can bump your listing higher in search results.

12. Think Long-Term: Capital Appreciation Matters Too

Rental income is only part of the return. Property values in Zanzibar are rising as the island goes through the same growth curve Mauritius experienced a decade ago.

Some buyers at Sandbank Villas see the combination of strong rental yield and long-term price growth as the real win.

If you maintain your villa well and keep it aligned with modern tastes, your exit value can increase significantly.

Explore Sandbank Villas

If you’re looking for a villa that performs from day one, Sandbank Villas combines:

Strong rental income through a managed rental pool
Award-winning architecture
A five-star resort (Zubea) for guests and owners
Hotel-grade service through Hard Launch Hospitality
A prime position above Nungwi’s famous sandbanks

You can discover available villas, view the masterplan, or speak with the team here: sandbankvillas.com

How To Maximize Rental Income & Returns on Your Zanzibar Property