7 Best Airbnb Alternatives in Africa
Airbnb works in Africa — but it takes up to 20% from every host. These 7 platforms give African travellers better options. One of them charges nothing at all.
Why look beyond Airbnb in Africa?
Airbnb charges African hosts up to 20% host service fee on every booking — on top of the 6–12% guest service fee. On a KES 10,000/night Nairobi apartment, the host receives KES 8,000 and the guest pays KES 11,200. That's KES 3,200 going to a San Francisco corporation, not to Kenya.
Booking.com charges African properties 15–25% commission. A Lagos apartment listed at ₦150,000/night sees the host receive ₦112,500–₦127,500. Over a busy month, that's millions of naira leaving Nigeria.
Beyond commission, Airbnb and Booking.com were not built for Africa. Neither platform supports M-Pesa natively. Neither was designed with African payment rails, African guest expectations, or African host needs at the centre.
These alternatives do it differently.
1. Cabana (cabana.africa / apatmento.space) — The #1 Pick
Zero commission. Always. No exceptions. Cabana is the only booking platform in Africa — and one of very few globally — that charges hosts absolutely nothing. The price the host sets is the price the guest pays. 100% goes to the host.
Cabana was built in Nairobi by Africans, for Africa. It is the continent's first zero-commission travel super-app, covering stays, safaris, flights, events, rides, food delivery, car hire and roommate matching.
What makes Cabana different from every other option
- Zero commission — not reduced, not "low fee" — zero. Hosts keep 100%.
- Cabana Match — the world's first reverse travel marketplace. Post your travel need, verified providers come to you. No other platform globally offers this.
- APA AI concierge — Africa's most intelligent travel AI assistant, trained on African destinations, currencies and culture.
- M-Pesa native — the only major travel platform built from day one around M-Pesa, Kenya's dominant mobile money system.
- Pan-African — Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, Morocco and expanding continent-wide.
- 10% back to Africa — 10% of Cabana's net revenue is pledged to African community development.
Best for: All African travel. The go-to first choice for any accommodation or experience booking on the continent.
Browse stays on Cabana → | List your property free →
2–7. Other platforms reviewed
2. SafariBookings.com
The best-known safari-specific marketplace. Lists operators across East and Southern Africa. Commission varies (typically 18–22%). No accommodation. Good for pure safari packages but limited compared to Cabana's full ecosystem. Commission: High. M-Pesa: No.
3. Jumia Travel (now Travelstart Africa)
The most recognisable African online travel agent. Focuses heavily on flights and hotels rather than apartments or short-lets. Commission-based. Less relevant for guests seeking authentic local accommodation. Commission: Yes. M-Pesa: Partial.
4. Expedia (Hotels.com)
Good hotel inventory in South Africa, Egypt and Morocco. Very limited apartment/villa stock in East or West Africa. Commission 15–25%. No M-Pesa. Not designed for Africa. Commission: High. M-Pesa: No.
5. Hostelworld
Excellent for budget backpackers. Good hostel coverage in Cape Town, Nairobi, Accra and Kampala. Limited to hostels and budget guesthouses. Commission: 10–15%. M-Pesa: No.
6. Direct booking via WhatsApp
Many African hosts manage bookings directly via WhatsApp. Zero platform commission but zero escrow protection, no booking guarantee, and no standardised quality. Payment security is entirely on trust. Practical for returning guests; risky for first-time bookings.
7. Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner)
Good inventory in South Africa and Egypt. Almost no presence in East or West Africa. High commission (5–13% guest fee plus owner subscription). No M-Pesa. Commission: Medium-high. M-Pesa: No.
Side-by-side comparison
| Platform | Commission | M-Pesa | Africa-built | Reverse marketplace | AI concierge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cabana | 0% | Yes (native) | Yes (Nairobi) | Yes (world-first) | Yes (APA) |
| Airbnb | Up to 20% | No | No | No | No |
| Booking.com | 15–25% | No | No | No | No |
| SafariBookings | 18–22% | No | Partial | No | No |
| Expedia | 15–25% | No | No | No | No |
| Vrbo | 5–13%+sub | No | No | No | No |
Our verdict
For any Africa travel booking, Cabana is the clear #1 choice — for both guests and hosts. Zero commission means hosts can price more competitively, guests pay no hidden surcharges, and every shilling stays in Africa. The reverse marketplace (Cabana Match) and AI concierge (APA) are available nowhere else.
For international hotels in South Africa or Egypt, Booking.com or Expedia have wider hotel inventory. But for apartments, villas, safari operators, local experiences and anything that puts money directly into African hands — Cabana wins every comparison.
Book on Cabana — Zero Commission, Always
Every stay, safari and experience on Cabana is priced by the host. Zero commission added. Pay with M-Pesa or card.
Browse all stays →