Bela-bela

As of June 2026, Bela-Bela, Modimolle, Pretoria have 307 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 1% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Bela-Bela generates R372K per year. High-performing properties earn R1.0M/year, while low-performing properties earn R118K/year. With supply contracting and revenue growing despite flat 21% occupancy, demand is outpacing the shrinking inventory. However, the nearly 9x gap between high and low performers suggests significant operational variance in a market where differentiation is increasingly valuable as competition tightens.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Bela-Bela. Average annual revenue is R372K with 21% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to R1.0M/year. Declining supply paired with rising revenue suggests tightening market conditions, though the nearly 3x gap between average and top performers indicates significant performance variance within the market.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Bela-Bela is 21%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of R4K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of R851 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Bela-Bela, with annual revenue of R566K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Bela-Bela market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Bela-Bela area. Bela-Bela: Lenient. No specific STR regulations or licensing requirements. Minimal municipal oversight. Enforcement largely non-existent. Modimolle: Lenient. No formal STR permit system. General business registration may apply. Very limited enforcement activity. Pretoria: Moderate. Business registration required, zoning compliance needed. Some municipal oversight but enforcement inconsistent and complaint-driven rather than proactive. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Bela-Bela Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing strong demand growth conditions. Supply has declined 1% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 14%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply. The substantial gap between average revenue ($371,672) and top performers ($1,022,148) suggests significant performance variance, reflecting a market where differentiation drives returns in relatively tight supply conditions.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 4% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (September-May) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Bela-Bela listings include: Kitchen (98%), Bbq (82%), Pool (80%), Tv (77%), Air Conditioning (67%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Pool, Washing Machine, Hot Tub, with Pool properties earning approximately 60% more (R801K/year vs R500K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Bela-Bela over the last 12 months: May: R17K, June: R17K, July: R28K, August: R21K, September: R20K, October: R27K, November: R20K, December: R41K, January: R30K, February: R23K, March: R28K, April: R39K. 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 Bela-Bela is R4K, up 31% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 2-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 3-bedroom properties average R3K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average R7K/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in June.

Guests in Bela-Bela book an average of 33 days in advance, down 9% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 23 days, 2-bedroom: 31 days, 3-bedroom: 29 days, 4+ bedroom: 38 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Bela-Bela Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 1%, revenue per listing increased 14%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 31%, and lead time decreased 9%. Despite flat supply, the 11% occupancy decline suggests demand softened faster than listings exited, while the substantial gap between average revenue ($371,672) and top performers ($1,022,148) indicates significant performance stratification in the market.

In Bela-Bela, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 117% higher occupancy than weekdays.