Luxury Coastal Cabin • Ocean Views, Wilderness Entire home · 1 bedroom Rated 5.00 - Revenue
- R 851,546
- Occupancy
- 61.7%
- Daily rate
- R 5,160
Airbnb market data · 202612 months to September 2026
The average Airbnb in Wilderness brought in R 160,362 over the 12 months through September 2026, about 43% less than the Western Cape average of R 279,702.
The short answer
Rates and bookings both trail the Western Cape average. Listings averaged R 2,530 a night and were booked on 35% of available nights, against R 2,920 and 39% for the Western Cape average.
Timing matters: in December, the best month, the average listing earned about 3.5 times as much as in May, the slowest.
With 97 active listings, Wilderness is the 32nd-largest of 65 Western Cape markets AirROI tracks.
Browse the live Wilderness Airbnb market See Every Wilderness ListingRevenue
Gross bookings per Wilderness listing averaged R 160,362 over the 12 months to September 2026 (Western Cape average: R 279,702), before cleaning, platform and management costs and taxes.
The average Wilderness listing brought in R 47,900 in December, its best month, and R 13,500 in May, its slowest. The three strongest months bring in 35% of a full year's revenue, where an even calendar would give any three months 25%.
In a typical month, a top-quarter listing earns at least 3.7 times as much as a bottom-quarter one.
These are monthly figures for listings active in each month. The annual average above also counts listings that operated for only part of the year, so it runs below twelve times these figures.
December earned about 3.5 times what May did
Average revenue per active listing, by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, R 25,200.
Latest 12 months in the September 2026 data. September's figures are still coming in, so the rows run to August.
December 2025 led on revenue and bookings; nightly rates peaked in August 2026.
| Month | Avg. Revenue | Occupancy | Avg. Nightly Rate | RevPAR | Booking Lead Time | Avg. Length of Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | R 17,190 | 21.0% | R 2,554 | R 573 | 19 days | 4.2 nights |
| Oct 2025 | R 27,192 | 34.1% | R 2,562 | R 877 | 44 days | 4.3 nights |
| Nov 2025 | R 28,964 | 32.9% | R 2,558 | R 965 | 41 days | 2.4 nights |
| Dec 2025 | R 47,873 | 56.8% | R 2,608 | R 1,544 | 26 days | 8.1 nights |
| Jan 2026 | R 29,723 | 38.7% | R 2,556 | R 959 | 35 days | 5.2 nights |
| Feb 2026 | R 29,440 | 45.8% | R 2,488 | R 1,051 | 31 days | 5.9 nights |
| Mar 2026 | R 26,706 | 40.6% | R 2,472 | R 861 | 32 days | 3.8 nights |
| Apr 2026 | R 21,354 | 33.6% | R 2,464 | R 712 | 38 days | 2.6 nights |
| May 2026 | R 13,516 | 23.1% | R 2,532 | R 436 | 31 days | 3.5 nights |
| Jun 2026 | R 18,272 | 30.5% | R 2,621 | R 609 | 45 days | 3.2 nights |
| Jul 2026 | R 23,398 | 31.3% | R 2,657 | R 755 | 43 days | 4.1 nights |
| Aug 2026 | R 18,932 | 26.4% | R 2,699 | R 611 | 31 days | 2.8 nights |
Averages per active listing in each month. Highlighted: the highest-revenue month of the 12. RevPAR is the month's revenue spread over its nights, booked or not. Booking lead time is the days between booking and check-in, and length of stay the nights per booking, for stays in that month.
For a figure on one home rather than the whole Wilderness market, enter its address and size in the Airbnb estimator, which compares it with similar listings nearby.
Profit
Yes, when it's run well. The average Wilderness Airbnb took in R 160,362 in the 12 months to September 2026, and run by its owner at everyday costs, about R 9,700 a month of that is left after running costs, so a home that costs less than that to own or rent makes money. A listing in the top quarter leaves about R 17,200 a month.
Cleaning it yourself keeps the R 4,500 a year guests pay in cleaning fees, for about R 10,100 a month. Handing the listing to a co-host at about 10% of nightly bookings still leaves about R 8,400 a month.
These amounts come before housing costs. Where the mortgage or rent is less each month, the difference is profit; a home owned outright keeps it all after property tax, home insurance and any building or condo fees.
| Line | Average listing | Top-quarter listing |
|---|---|---|
| Money in | ||
| Nightly bookings | R 155,862 | R 273,100 |
| Cleaning fees guests pay3% of Wilderness bookings | R 4,500 | R 7,900 |
| Gross bookings | R 160,362 | R 281,000 |
| Running costs | ||
| Airbnb's feeAbout 13%: 15.5% for the 78% of Wilderness listings on Simplified Pricing, 3% for the rest | −R 20,500 | −R 36,000 |
| Cleaning and laundryPaid for by the cleaning fee; R 0 if you clean yourself | −R 4,500 | −R 7,900 |
| Utilities and internetAbout 5% of bookings | −R 8,000 | −R 14,100 |
| Guest suppliesToiletries, coffee, paper goods: about 2% | −R 3,200 | −R 5,600 |
| Repairs and upkeepIncluding linens and small replacements: about 3% | −R 4,800 | −R 8,400 |
| Short-term rental insuranceOne policy, on top of Airbnb's free AirCover | −R 1,600 | −R 1,600 |
| Permit and registrationWhere one is required | −R 800 | −R 800 |
| ManagementR 0 when you run it; co-hosts charge from about 10% of nightly bookings | R 0 | R 0 |
| Pricing and messaging toolsOptional; Airbnb's own tools are free | R 0 | R 0 |
| Lodging taxesAdded to the guest's bill and passed on | R 0 | R 0 |
| Total running costsAbout 24% of bookings, plus cleaning paid for by the cleaning fee | −R 43,400 | −R 74,400 |
| Left for housing costs, then profit | R 116,962about R 9,700 a month | R 206,600about R 17,200 a month |
| Housing costs | ||
| Mortgage or rent, property tax, home insurance, building or condo fees | Depend on the home | |
The estimate starts from Wilderness's average listing, run by its owner. Change how the listing performs, who runs it and who cleans to see what is left for the mortgage or rent.
To work out the profit on one Wilderness home, with its price, its mortgage or rent and your own costs, use the Airbnb profit calculator. It starts from the comparable listings around the address.
What a listing keeps comes down to the figures this page measures: nightly rate, nights booked and the months it's open. A listing at the top-quarter mark takes in about R 23,400 a month, against R 13,400 for the average one.
Occupancy
Wilderness listings were booked on 35% of the nights they were open over the past year, 4 percentage points below the Western Cape average (39%) and in line with the South Africa average. Occupancy swings from 21% in September to 57% in December.
The busiest tenth of listings are booked about four times as often as the bottom quarter.
December was the busiest month in Wilderness, September the quietest
Share of open nights booked, by month, September 2025 to August 2026
Nightly rates
The average nightly rate in Wilderness, known as ADR (average daily rate), was R 2,530 over the past year, about 13% below the Western Cape average of R 2,920 and about the same as the South Africa average (R 2,425). Rates barely change through the year, staying between about R 2,465 and R 2,700.
Prices span a wide range: the top 10% charge about 3.5 times the rate of the bottom quarter.
Average nightly rate by month in Wilderness
Average nightly rate (ADR), by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, R 2,560.
RevPAR, or revenue per available night, divides a listing's income by every night it was open to book, so it rises with both price and bookings. In Wilderness it averaged R 853 over the past year, from about R 436 in May to about R 1,540 in December.
Per open night, by tier:
December RevPAR was about 3.5 times May's
Revenue per open night (RevPAR), by month, September 2025 to August 2026
The dashed line is the average of the months shown, R 830.
Seasonality
Wilderness has one high season, November through February, which makes it a moderately seasonal market. Business is slowest from April to June and slows again in August and September. A listing earns about 77% more a month in December through February than in June through August.
| Season | Revenue per month | Occupancy | Nightly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| High seasonNovember–February | R 34,000 | 44% | R 2,552 |
| Shoulder seasonMarch, July, October | R 25,800 | 35% | R 2,563 |
| Low seasonApril–June, August–September | R 17,900 | 27% | R 2,574 |
Guests book Wilderness stays 29 days ahead on average (about four weeks). June stays are booked furthest out, about 45 days ahead, and September stays closest to arrival, about 19 days. A typical June booking is made in early May.
June stays are booked furthest ahead
Average days between booking and check-in, by month of stay, September 2025 to August 2026
The 12-month figure of 29 days averages each listing's year as a whole; each month here averages only the listings with stays in it.
Permits
None of the 97 active listings in Wilderness display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply: some places don't ask hosts to show a number on the listing, and listing data doesn't capture every scheme.
Registration, permit, zoning and tourist-tax rules vary by address and change often, so confirm them with the local authority before buying or listing in Wilderness.
Neighborhoods
AirROI's area guide picks six Wilderness neighborhoods that draw short-term rental guests, led by Wilderness Beach, Wilderness Village and Victoria Bay. The picks reflect guest appeal, not earnings data or permit eligibility, so check local permit rules for a specific address before buying.
| Area | Who it suits | Landmarks nearby |
|---|---|---|
| Wilderness Beach | A stunning beach area known for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere. Ideal for vacationers seeking relaxation and outdoor activities such as hiking and water sports. | Wilderness National Park, Wilderness Beach, Dolphin Point, Map of Africa Viewpoint, Lagoon Trail |
| Wilderness Village | A charming village atmosphere with easy access to local shops and restaurants. Great for tourists who want a cozy stay close to nature and amenities. | Wilderness Village Market, Local art galleries, Goukamma Nature Reserve, Nearby lagoons and rivers |
| Victoria Bay | A small picturesque beach just a short drive from Wilderness, known for its great surfing and stunning views, attracting beach lovers and surfers alike. | Victoria Bay Beach, Surfing spots, Scenic viewpoints, Hiking trails |
| Map of Africa | An iconic viewpoint overlooking the confluence of rivers, this area draws visitors for its breathtaking scenery and hiking opportunities. Perfect for nature enthusiasts. | Map of Africa Viewpoint, Hiking trails, Birdwatching opportunities |
| Birds of Eden | Located a little inland, this area features the world's largest free-flight aviary and is perfect for those interested in wildlife and nature. | Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Nature walks, Animal encounters |
| Goukamma Nature Reserve | Ideal for nature lovers looking for outdoor adventures including wildlife, hiking, and beautiful coastal scenery. A must-visit for eco-tourism. | Goukamma Beach, Hiking trails, Birdwatching, Fishing spots |
Area descriptions are AI-assisted from public sources and are not checked against zoning.
Listings
Entire homes make up 80% of listings in Wilderness, alongside 19 private-room listings (20%). Houses are the most common property type at 41%, ahead of apartments and condos (31%).
Mostly entire homes, with a private-room segment
Wilderness Airbnb listings by room type
| Room type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| Entire home | 80.4% | 78 |
| Private room | 19.6% | 19 |
Listings by property type
Wilderness Airbnb listings by property type
| Property type | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| House | 41.2% | 40 |
| Apartment/Condo | 30.9% | 30 |
| Hotel/Boutique | 14.4% | 14 |
| Cabin/Outdoor | 7.2% | 7 |
| Others | 6.2% | 6 |
One-bedroom homes are the most common size in Wilderness (41% of entire homes), followed by two-bedroom homes (31%). Shares are of the 78 entire homes that give a bedroom count; rented rooms are left out.
Wilderness entire homes by number of bedrooms
Entire homes with each number of bedrooms, of those with a bedroom count on file
| Bedrooms | Share of entire homes with a bedroom count | Entire homes |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | 2.6% | 2 |
| 1 bedroom | 41.0% | 32 |
| 2 bedrooms | 30.8% | 24 |
| 3 bedrooms | 12.8% | 10 |
| 4 bedrooms | 10.3% | 8 |
| 5+ bedrooms | 2.6% | 2 |
A typical one-bedroom home in Wilderness earned R 60,400 over the past year, against R 158,000 for a three-bedroom home.
| Home size | Listings | Typical annual revenue (median) | Average annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | 32 | R 60,400 | R 122,000 | R 1,538 | 37% |
| 2 bedrooms | 24 | R 134,000 | R 187,000 | R 2,062 | 42% |
| 3 bedrooms | 10 | R 158,000 | R 226,000 | R 3,434 | 34% |
Most Wilderness listings are sized for couples and small families: 74% sleep four guests or fewer, and just 10% take eight or more. Shares are of the 89 listings with a guest capacity on file (92% of the market).
Wilderness listings by guest capacity
Share of listings by the number of guests they sleep, of those with a capacity on file
| Guest capacity | Share of listings with a capacity on file | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | 43.8% | 39 |
| 3 guests | 5.6% | 5 |
| 4 guests | 24.7% | 22 |
| 5 guests | 1.1% | 1 |
| 6 guests | 13.5% | 12 |
| 7 guests | 1.1% | 1 |
| 8+ guests | 10.1% | 9 |
Wilderness hosts set up an average of 2.4 beds per listing, close to one bed per bedroom. Only 46% of listings show their exact location on the listing map; the rest show an approximate area.
Beach access is common in Wilderness: 41% of listings offer it, and 90% offer free parking on site. Air conditioning is the exception rather than the rule: only 20% of listings have it.
Share of Wilderness listings with each common amenity
Guests
Wilderness splits its demand between home and abroad: 61% of guests who left reviews live outside South Africa, led by visitors from Germany and the United Kingdom. Guests speak a mix of languages: English leads at 48%, followed by German and Afrikaans.
61% of Wilderness guests come from abroad
Where guests who left reviews live
Where Wilderness guests come from: top cities
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin city | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| Cape Town | 13.6% |
| Pretoria | 3.6% |
| Johannesburg | 3.2% |
| London | 2.9% |
| Munich | 2.7% |
Where Wilderness guests come from: top countries
Share of guests who left reviews
| Origin country | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| South Africa | 38.8% |
| Germany | 22.6% |
| United Kingdom | 8.6% |
| Netherlands | 5.2% |
| Switzerland | 3.7% |
Languages spoken by Wilderness guests
Share of guests who left reviews
| Language | Share of guests |
|---|---|
| English | 47.9% |
| German | 16.2% |
| Afrikaans | 9.3% |
| French | 7.1% |
| Spanish | 5.5% |
Wilderness Airbnbs average 4.85 stars, and 38% of listings hold Airbnb's Guest Favorite badge. The category scores are tightly bunched, and value for money is the lowest, at 4.82.
Cleanliness and communication score highest in Wilderness; value is lowest
Average guest rating out of 5 by category; the bars start at 4.0
| Category | Average rating (out of 5) |
|---|---|
| Accuracy | 4.87 |
| Cleanliness | 4.91 |
| Communication | 4.91 |
| Location | 4.84 |
| Check-in | 4.89 |
| Value | 4.82 |
Booking patterns
Nearly all Wilderness listings are open to guests more than 180 days a year, but only 5% are booked or blocked that many days. The most common booked-or-blocked total is 31 to 90 days a year, covering 46% of listings; blocked nights include any the host closes off.
Days a year Wilderness listings are open to guests
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 271-366 days | 73.2% | 71 |
| 181-270 days | 24.7% | 24 |
| 91-180 days | 2.1% | 2 |
Days a year Wilderness listings are booked or blocked
Share of listings by days a year
| Days a year | Share of listings | Listings |
|---|---|---|
| 181-270 days | 5.2% | 5 |
| 91-180 days | 22.7% | 22 |
| 31-90 days | 46.4% | 45 |
| 1-30 days | 25.8% | 25 |
The average Wilderness booking lasts 5 nights, longest in December and shortest in November. Listings took about 14 bookings each over the year, some 1,400 in all. 54% of listings that give a check-in time set it at 2 p.m., with check-out usually at 10 a.m.
Average length of stay by month in Wilderness
Average nights per booking, by month of stay
85% of listings in Wilderness accept stays of one or two nights.
Minimum stay set by Wilderness listings
Share of listings by the shortest stay they accept, from one night to 30 or more
Firm is the most common cancellation policy in Wilderness, used by 45% of listings; it refunds guests in full only if they cancel at least 30 days before check-in. About four in ten listings offer Flexible or Moderate terms and 46% use Firm or stricter ones, so neither camp dominates.
Cancellation policies of Wilderness listings, from most to least flexible
Share of listings by the policy they use
About half of Wilderness listings charge a cleaning fee. The typical fee is about R 298. Spread over the average stay of 5 nights, that adds roughly R 60 a night to what guests pay. For listings that charge one, cleaning fees make up about 3% of gross revenue.
Top earners
The top-grossing Airbnb in Wilderness, a one-bedroom unit, took in R 852,000 over the past year, about 5.3 times the city's average of R 160,000.
Luxury Coastal Cabin • Ocean Views, Wilderness Entire home · 1 bedroom Rated 5.00
Oppi See - Beach front house Entire home · 4 bedrooms Rated 4.81
The Village Apartment Entire home · 3 bedrooms Rated 5.00
The Block Mansion Entire home · 5 bedrooms
Secret Sands - Saltwood Private room
Upstairs at Lexi's Entire home · 2 bedrooms Rated 4.91 Only 9% of Wilderness listings are classed as professionally managed, though 29% of listings have a co-host. Superhosts run 48% of listings. Airbnb's Simplified Pricing, where the host pays the whole service fee and guests see one price with no separate Airbnb charge, covers 78% of listings.
Nearby markets
Of the eight nearby markets in the table, all within 70 km, Plettenberg Bay (70 km away) earned the most per listing, about 31% more than Wilderness.
| Market | Listings | Avg. annual revenue | Avg. nightly rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden Route District Municipality 2 km | 38 | R 109,443 | R 1,702 | 29% |
| George 5 km | 4,750 | R 199,177 | R 2,574 | 31% |
| Sedgefield 19 km | 48 | R 149,027 | R 2,246 | 36% |
| Groot Brakrivier 33 km | 37 | R 126,734 | R 2,534 | 28% |
| Knysna 41 km | 204 | R 186,623 | R 2,759 | 35% |
| Mossel Bay 50 km | 196 | R 141,292 | R 2,067 | 32% |
| Oudtshoorn 59 km | 31 | R 71,168 | R 1,270 | 25% |
| Plettenberg Bay 70 km | 237 | R 209,628 | R 3,413 | 35% |
See all 65 Western Cape Airbnb markets
Markets elsewhere in South Africa with a similar nightly rate and occupancy to Wilderness:
FAQ
An active Wilderness Airbnb grossed R 160,362 on average in the 12 months to September 2026, according to AirROI's tracking of 97 active listings. That is before cleaning, management, taxes and financing. Busier, better-run listings do far better: the top quarter took in R 33,900 or more in a typical month.
It depends most on the home's size, location and how it's run. The middle half of Wilderness listings earn between R 9,000 and R 33,900 in a typical month, and the top tenth R 51,800 or more. For one home, enter its address and bedroom count in the Airbnb income calculator: it compares the home with similar listings nearby.
Listings in Wilderness were booked on 35% of available nights over the past year. That compares with 39% for the Western Cape average. December was the busiest month.
The average booked night in Wilderness cost R 2,530 before fees. Half of listings charge between R 1,310 and R 2,870, so bedroom count and location move the price more than the average suggests.
None of the active Wilderness listings display a registration, permit or license number. That doesn't mean no rules apply, so confirm registration, permit and tourist-tax rules with the local authority before buying.
Yes, when it's run well. The average Wilderness Airbnb grossed R 160,362 in the 12 months to September 2026, 43% below the Western Cape average of R 279,702. Run by its owner, with the cleaning fee covering the cleaner and everyday costs for Airbnb's fee, utilities, supplies, upkeep and insurance, R 116,962 a year (about R 9,700 a month) is left before the mortgage or rent. A home that costs less than that to own or rent makes a profit, and a listing at the top-quarter mark leaves about R 17,200 a month. Check a specific home in the Airbnb calculator.
December paid best over the past year, at R 47,900 per active listing, and May paid least. The month-by-month table above shows how rates and bookings each move.
Each night a Wilderness listing was open to book earned R 853 on average over the past year, booked or not. That figure, revenue per available night (RevPAR), folds price and occupancy into one number; the top 10% of listings made R 1,440 or more.
Wilderness stays were booked 29 days (about four weeks) before arrival on average over the past year, so most of a month is booked well before it starts.
The average Wilderness Airbnb stay lasted 5 nights over the past year. A listing took 14 reservations over the year on average.
Guests rate Wilderness Airbnbs 4.85 out of 5 on average. Guests score communication highest and value lowest.
Wilderness Beach, Wilderness Village and Victoria Bay draw the most short-term rental interest in Wilderness. The neighborhood guide explains what brings guests to each.
AirROI counted 97 active Airbnb listings in Wilderness as of September 2026. The closest tracked market is Garden Route District Municipality, 2 km away.
In Wilderness, about half of listings add a cleaning fee, and the typical fee is about R 298.
Method
Figures on this page cover 97 active Airbnb listings in Wilderness from October 2025 to September 2026 (trailing twelve months). AirROI refreshes them monthly from listing-level booking and calendar data covering 20+ million properties worldwide. AirROI measures bookings in US dollars; this page shows them in South African rand at R 16.6 per US$, the typical rate from October 2025 to September 2026. Annual revenue averages every listing active during the period, including those listed for only part of it; monthly figures average the listings active in each month; the tier lists show the spread. Neighborhood descriptions are AI-assisted. See the methodology for definitions.
Need this programmatically? The same metrics are available through the AirROI Airbnb Data API and bulk downloads in the data portal.