Moving to East Africa — Complete Rental Guide
Whether you're relocating for work, returning home after years abroad, or exploring East Africa as a digital nomad, finding the right rental home is one of your most important first steps. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about renting in Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda.
Before You Move
Visa and Residency
Tanzania:
- Tourist visa: Available on arrival or online ($50 USD, 90 days)
- Business visa: Apply through embassy ($250 USD, multiple entry)
- Residence permit: Required for stays over 90 days. Class A (employment), Class B (business), Class C (other)
- Work permit: Must be sponsored by an employer, processed through Immigration
Kenya:
- eVisa: Apply online at ecitizen.go.ke ($51 USD single entry, $101 multiple)
- Work permit: Classes A-M depending on category, applied through eFNS system
- Digital nomad visa: Not officially available (use tourist visa + extensions)
Uganda:
- Tourist visa: Available on arrival or online ($50 USD, 90 days)
- Special pass: For short-term work (3 months, renewable)
- Work permit: Class G (most common for employees), applied through immigration directorate
Banking and Money
Tanzania: Open a bank account at CRDB, NMB, or Equity Bank (requires passport, visa, and local reference). Mobile money (M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money) is essential — most landlords accept rent via mobile money.
Kenya: More developed banking sector. Open at Equity, KCB, or Co-operative Bank. M-Pesa is ubiquitous for rent payments.
Uganda: MTN Mobile Money and Airtel Money are widely used. Banks include Stanbic, Centenary, and DFCU.
Pro Tip: Set up mobile money immediately upon arrival. In Tanzania, register at any Vodacom (M-Pesa), Tigo, or Airtel shop with your passport and local SIM card. Many landlords prefer mobile money over bank transfers.
Finding a Rental Home
Step 1: Research Online
Before arriving, browse Makazi to understand the market:
- Filter by city, budget, and property type
- Study neighborhood descriptions and photos
- Note price ranges for your target areas
- Save listings you're interested in
Step 2: Choose Your City
For Business/Corporate:
- Dar es Salaam — East Africa's commercial hub. Best for business, finance, trade
- Nairobi — Regional headquarters for multinationals, NGOs, tech companies
- Kampala — Growing business hub, especially for startups and NGOs
For Lifestyle/Remote Work:
- Zanzibar — Island living, beaches, growing digital nomad scene
- Arusha — Cool climate, near national parks, expat community
- Entebbe — Quiet lakeside town near Kampala airport
For Budget/Students:
- Dodoma — Tanzania's capital, lower cost of living
- Moshi — Affordable, Kilimanjaro views, volunteer community
- Kisumu — Laid-back lakeside city, affordable
Step 3: Set Your Budget
A good rule of thumb for East Africa: your rent should be 25-40% of your income.
Budget Examples (Monthly):
Tanzania (TZS):
- Entry level: 200,000 - 400,000 (single room/bedsitter)
- Mid-range: 500,000 - 1,000,000 (1-2 bedroom apartment)
- Comfortable: 1,000,000 - 2,000,000 (2-3 bedroom, good area)
- Premium: 2,000,000+ (furnished, premium location)
Kenya (KES):
- Entry level: 10,000 - 20,000
- Mid-range: 25,000 - 50,000
- Comfortable: 50,000 - 100,000
- Premium: 100,000+
Uganda (UGX):
- Entry level: 300,000 - 600,000
- Mid-range: 800,000 - 1,500,000
- Comfortable: 1,500,000 - 3,000,000
- Premium: 3,000,000+
Step 4: Understand the Costs
Beyond monthly rent, budget for:
Deposit: Typically 1-3 months' rent upfront. In Tanzania, the standard is 3 months advance + 1 month deposit (4 months total upfront). In Kenya, it's usually 1-2 months deposit. In Uganda, 2-3 months is common.
Utilities: Electricity (TANESCO in Tanzania, Kenya Power in Kenya, UMEME in Uganda), water, internet (Tigo, Vodacom, Safaricom), gas for cooking. Budget 100,000-300,000 TZS/month in Tanzania for a 2-bedroom.
Broker Fees: If using a traditional broker (dalali), expect to pay 1-3 months' rent as commission. Using Makazi eliminates this cost entirely.
Step 5: Visit and Inspect
When viewing properties:
Check:
- Water pressure and availability (turn on all taps)
- Electricity (check meter, ask about power cuts and generators)
- Security (guards, gates, CCTV, neighborhood safety)
- Cell signal strength (test in every room)
- Internet availability (ask neighbors about providers and speeds)
- Noise levels at different times of day
- Road access and distance to main roads
- Proximity to markets, hospitals, schools
Ask:
- Total monthly cost including service charges
- What's included in the rent (parking, water, security)
- Lease duration and renewal terms
- Rules about visitors, pets, modifications
- Who handles maintenance and how quickly
- Payment methods accepted
Step 6: Sign the Agreement
Always get a written rental agreement. It should include:
- Full names of landlord and tenant
- Property address and description
- Monthly rent amount and payment date
- Deposit amount and return conditions
- Lease duration (typically 1 year, renewable)
- Notice period for termination (usually 1-3 months)
- Maintenance responsibilities
- Utility payment responsibilities
In Tanzania: Rental agreements should be witnessed and can optionally be registered at the local ward office. Keep copies of all receipts (especially mobile money screenshots).
In Kenya: The Rent Restriction Act governs tenancies. Written agreements are legally binding. Stamp duty applies to leases over 1 year.
In Uganda: The Landlord and Tenant Act governs rental relationships. Written agreements are strongly recommended.
Country-Specific Tips
Moving to Tanzania
- Language: Learn basic Swahili greetings — it opens doors. "Habari" (how are you), "Asante" (thank you), "Naomba" (please/I'd like)
- Time: "African time" is real but businesses generally operate on schedule. Allow extra time for administrative tasks.
- Power: Load-shedding (rationing) can occur. Ask about generator or solar backup.
- Internet: Fiber optic is expanding rapidly in Dar es Salaam. Providers include Raha, TTCL, Smile, and Tigo. 4G is good in cities.
- Transport: BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) in Dar is excellent. Daladala (minibuses) are cheap but crowded. Bajaji (three-wheelers) and bodaboda (motorcycle taxis) for last-mile transport. Uber and Bolt operate in Dar and Arusha.
Moving to Kenya
- Language: English is widely spoken in business. Swahili is common in daily life. Learn "Sawa" (okay), "Poa" (cool), "Maze" (friend)
- Traffic: Nairobi traffic is legendary. Choose your home location based on your workplace commute.
- M-Pesa: Not optional — it's how Kenya works. Set up immediately.
- Security: Nairobi requires security awareness. Gated communities are popular for a reason. Ask about neighborhood safety.
Moving to Uganda
- Language: English is the official language, widely spoken. Luganda is the local language in Kampala.
- Hospitality: Ugandans are renowned for their friendliness and hospitality.
- Roads: Kampala's roads can be challenging, especially during rain. Choose housing close to your workplace if possible.
- Cost of Living: Generally lower than Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, making it attractive for remote workers.
Digital Nomad Guide
If you're a remote worker considering East Africa:
Best Cities:
- 1Zanzibar — Beachside co-working, reliable internet in Fumba and Stone Town, growing nomad community
- 2Nairobi — Best co-working infrastructure (Nairobi Garage, iHub, Workstyle), fastest internet
- 3Arusha — Cool climate, affordable, quiet for focused work
- 4Kampala — Affordable, friendly, several co-working spaces (The Innovation Village, Design Hub)
Internet Speeds: Expect 10-50 Mbps on fiber in major cities. Mobile 4G averages 15-30 Mbps. Always test internet before signing a lease.
Furnished Options: Search for "furnished apartments" on Makazi — many landlords offer fully furnished options for 20-40% premium over unfurnished.
Start Your Search Today
Ready to find your home in East Africa? Makazi makes it simple:
- 5Search — Browse verified listings across Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda
- 6Filter — Narrow by price, bedrooms, location, and amenities
- 7Connect — Message verified landlords directly
- 8Move In — Sign your agreement and start your East African adventure
No brokers. No scams. No hidden fees. Just you and your next home.