Durban

As of May 2026, Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth have 2,038 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 4% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Durban generates R219K per year. High-performing properties earn R516K/year, while low-performing properties earn R70K/year. The massive delta between high and low performers suggests that revenue potential is heavily concentrated among top-tier assets, likely driven by premium positioning in a supply-constrained environment.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Durban. Average annual revenue is R219K with 33% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to R516K/year. With a 33% occupancy baseline, the market performance indicates that revenue growth is currently being driven by ADR appreciation rather than volume-based utilization.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Durban is 33%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of R2K, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of R474 per day.

3-bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Durban, with annual revenue of R368K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Durban market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Durban area. Durban: Lenient. No specific STR regulations, general business licensing may apply. Minimal enforcement, hosts operate freely. Cape Town: Moderate. Zoning compliance required, some areas restrict STRs, guest house license needed for 5+ rooms. Inconsistent enforcement, many unlicensed operators. Johannesburg: Lenient. No citywide STR framework, zoning rules vary by suburb. Light enforcement, widespread informal operation. Port Elizabeth: Lenient. Basic business registration, minimal STR-specific rules. Very limited enforcement. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Durban Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced with strong demand conditions. Supply has declined 4% year-over-year, while RevPAR has increased 5%. This indicates healthy demand growth outpacing supply. A contracting supply base alongside rising RevPAR suggests a tightening market where remaining hosts benefit from decreased direct competition.

Launch around September, 2-3 months before peak winter season (December peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is 15% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (August-November) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Durban listings include: Kitchen (98%), Tv (97%), Air Conditioning (77%), Balcony (64%), Washing Machine (60%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Tv, Pool, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 48% more (R365K/year vs R246K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Durban over the last 12 months: May: R12K, June: R12K, July: R16K, August: R11K, September: R12K, October: R14K, November: R9K, December: R29K, January: R17K, February: R10K, March: R13K, April: R18K. 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 Durban is R2K, up 19% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average R1K/night, 2-bedroom properties average R2K/night, 3-bedroom properties average R3K/night, 4+ bedroom properties average R5K/night. Rates peak in December and are lowest in May.

Guests in Durban book an average of 22 days in advance, down 15% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 20 days, 2-bedroom: 23 days, 3-bedroom: 26 days, 4+ bedroom: 30 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Durban Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 4%, revenue per listing increased 5%, occupancy fell 4%, average nightly rates increased 19%, and lead time decreased 15%. These metrics reflect a shift toward a high-margin, short-cycle booking environment where increased pricing power offsets lower occupancy levels.

In Durban, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 49% higher occupancy than weekdays.