Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Durban? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Durban:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Durban?
The short-term rental market in Durban shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $622 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $1,199 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,985+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $275
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Durban
The market in Durban shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 28% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 49% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 71%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 14%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Durban
Daily rates in Durban vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $58 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $96 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $160+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $37
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Durban
Peak Season (December, March, June)
- Revenue peaks at $1327.57 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 42.90%
- Daily rates average $91.25
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $918.23 per month
- Occupancy maintains 33.72%
- Daily rates hold at $79.76
Low Season (January, July, August)
- Revenue drops to $689.71 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 28.47%
- Daily rates adjust to $75.32
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Durban in 2025?
Yes! Durban demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 34% and monthly revenue averaging $918 and As a mature market with 679 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Durban
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Umhlanga Rocks | Upscale coastal suburb known for its beautiful beaches and luxurious hotels. Attracts families and vacationers looking for a relaxing getaway with beach access and a vibrant promenade. | Umhlanga Lighthouse, Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Umhlanga Beach, Oceans Mall, Kings Park, Shark Park |
| Durban North | Family-friendly area with a mix of residential and commercial properties. Close to the beach and a variety of attractions, ideal for those seeking a quieter stay near the coast. | Durban North Beach, Virginia Beach, Durban North Bowl, Bruce Berry Park, Amatikulu Nature Reserve |
| City Centre | The vibrant heart of Durban, home to many attractions, restaurants, and nightlife. Great for urban explorers and those who want to be in the center of it all. | uShaka Marine World, Durban Botanical Gardens, Moses Mabhida Stadium, Victoria Street Market, Durban ICC |
| Glenwood | Trendy neighborhood known for its artistic vibe, cafes, and proximity to the city. Popular with young professionals and creative individuals looking for a unique urban experience. | Glenwood Village, Glenwood Park, 2nd Avenue Durban, The Observatory, Durban Art Gallery |
| Ballito | Popular coastal town just north of Durban, known for its stunning beaches and family-friendly atmosphere. Ideal for those wanting to escape the city while still being close to attractions. | Ballito Beach, Willard Beach, Turtle Tours, Thompson's Bay, Ballito Junction |
| Westville | Suburban area with a peaceful environment, good schools, and parks. Attracts families and those seeking a calm retreat not far from the city. | Westville Mall, Palmiet Nature Reserve, Hillary Nature Reserve, Westville Country Club, Hillside Golf Club |
| eThekwini | Region encompassing Durban City and surrounding areas, offering a mix of urban and natural attractions. Perfect for diverse visitor experiences ranging from culture to nature. | Durban City Hall, The Golden Mile, Cato Manor Heritage Centre, The Lighthouse, Pavilion Shopping Centre |
| Zimbali | Luxury estate known for its stunning homes and proximity to the beach. Attracts high-end tourists and vacationers looking for exclusivity and beautiful landscapes. | Zimbali Beach, Zimbali Coastal Resort, Zimbali Country Club, Sibaya Casino, The Fig Tree |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Durban?
We recommend checking directly with Durban's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Durban
Spectacular Sea view Durban Presidential Penthouse
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
One Two Five on Penzance
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Stay at the Point - Peaceful Plentiful Penthouse
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Seas of Ships Guest House
Entire Place • 7 bedrooms
Luxurious Waterfront Penthouse with Views
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Harbour View House
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Durban
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jason | 24 | $456,174 | 2638 | 4.57/5.0 |
| Kale | 34 | $370,275 | 945 | 4.62/5.0 |
| Dustin | 7 | $210,640 | 305 | 4.58/5.0 |
| Joeleen | 13 | $135,780 | 78 | 3.37/5.0 |
| Keshav And Nishthal | 6 | $100,530 | 382 | 4.89/5.0 |
| Maria | 6 | $87,920 | 1024 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Sthandiwe | 3 | $71,363 | 68 | 4.86/5.0 |
| Busisiwe | 6 | $60,889 | 345 | 4.60/5.0 |
| Philippa | 4 | $58,814 | 197 | 3.50/5.0 |
| Joan | 4 | $55,307 | 38 | 3.67/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Durban
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (77.6%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 76.0% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (18.2%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (0.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 679 properties in Durban shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 43.6% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 68.5% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (43.6%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (4.9%)
- Market concentration: 68.5% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 679 properties in Durban reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 35.1% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.5 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 58.3% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (35.1% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (1.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.5 guests per property
- Market concentration: 58.3% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 679 properties in Durban, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (56.4% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (31.2% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (56.4%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (31.2%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 81.9%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 19.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
262 listings
42.1% of total
2 Nights
213 listings
34.2% of total
3 Nights
47 listings
7.6% of total
4-6 Nights
50 listings
8% of total
7-29 Nights
10 listings
1.6% of total
30+ Nights
40 listings
6.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 76.3%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 8% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (6.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 83.9% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 30 Days
4 listings
0.7% of total
Non-refundable
28 listings
5% of total
Refundable
22 listings
4% of total
Flexible
138 listings
24.9% of total
Moderate
95 listings
17.1% of total
Firm
79 listings
14.2% of total
Strict
189 listings
34.1% of total
Key Insights
- Strict is the preferred policy at 34.1% of listings
- The market shows a balanced distribution between guest-friendly (42.0%) and strict (48.3%) policies
- Strong market consensus around Strict policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 0.7% of listings
Recommendations
- Market supports various policies - choose based on your property type and target guests
- Strong market preference for Strict policies suggests this should be your baseline
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Jun, Dec, Apr, averaging 56 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jul, Feb, Aug, averaging 34 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 46 days, while Summer has the shortest at 43 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 46 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jul-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Durban
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Durban:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 82.3% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (4.4%) and United Kingdom (2.7%)
- English is the top language at 61.6%, followed by Zulu (20%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.7%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Johannesburg and Durban markets
- Develop localized content for United States and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and Zulu language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Durban. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KwaDukuza Local Municipality | 1,426 | $1,199 | $173.24 | 32% |
| Umhlanga Rocks | 693 | $1,153 | $129.22 | 36% |
| Umdloti / eMdloti | 319 | $994 | $112.07 | 36% |
| Westbrook | 36 | $910 | $135.98 | 31% |
| uMgeni Local Municipality | 431 | $829 | $95.15 | 30% |
| Umkomaas | 17 | $701 | $74.97 | 36% |
| La Mercy | 24 | $669 | $99.36 | 26% |
| uMshwathi Local Municipality | 10 | $626 | $62.78 | 24% |
| uMdoni Local Municipality | 158 | $623 | $101.04 | 27% |
| Amanzimtoti | 13 | $545 | $72.70 | 30% |
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