Zero Commission Vacation Rentals in Africa
On Airbnb, hosts pay up to 20%. On Booking.com, 15–25%. On Cabana, hosts pay nothing. This is how zero-commission vacation rental actually works — and why it changes everything for African hosts.
What zero commission actually means
When a platform says "zero commission," it should mean exactly that — the price the guest pays is the price the host receives. No percentage cut, no booking fee, no "host service charge." The host sets a price. The guest pays that price. The host gets that price. Full stop.
This is what Cabana offers. It is not a promotional period. It is not "zero commission on your first 10 bookings." It is the permanent, unconditional model — zero commission on every booking, forever.
This is in stark contrast to every other major platform:
- Airbnb: 3% host-only fee (sounds small) but also a 14–16% guest service fee. On a ₦150,000/night Lagos apartment, the host receives ₦145,500 but the guest pays ₦174,000–₦174,000. Total platform take: ₦28,500.
- Booking.com: 15–25% commission from the host. On the same ₦150,000/night property, the host receives ₦112,500–₦127,500. Platform takes ₦22,500–₦37,500.
- Cabana: Host lists at ₦150,000. Guest pays ₦150,000. Host receives ₦150,000. Platform takes ₦0.
How much commission costs African hosts — the real numbers
| Property / Night Rate | Airbnb host gets | Booking.com host gets | Cabana host gets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nairobi apartment KES 5,000 | KES 4,850 | KES 3,750–4,250 | KES 5,000 |
| Lagos apartment ₦150,000 | ₦145,500 | ₦112,500–127,500 | ₦150,000 |
| Accra apartment GHS 500 | GHS 485 | GHS 375–425 | GHS 500 |
| Cape Town ZAR 1,500 | ZAR 1,455 | ZAR 1,125–1,275 | ZAR 1,500 |
Over 30 nights/month at those rates, a Lagos host on Booking.com loses ₦675,000–₦1,125,000 per month in commission. On Cabana: ₦0.
Why can Cabana charge nothing?
Most platforms use commission as their primary — or only — revenue stream. Cabana is building toward a different model: platform revenue from premium services (data, advertising to verified businesses, premium host tools) rather than taking a cut of every transaction. This lets the core booking service remain free for both hosts and guests.
Cabana's pledge is permanent: zero commission on bookings, forever. It is built into the brand's founding architecture, not a promotional tool.
How to list on Cabana — step by step
- Go to the partner pageVisit apatmento.space/become-partner and click "List your property."
- Create your free host accountName, email, phone (M-Pesa number for Kenya). Takes 2 minutes.
- Add your propertyLocation, type (apartment, villa, cottage, safari camp, etc.), number of rooms, amenities, photos (minimum 5 recommended). Cabana's AI listing assistant can help optimise your description.
- Set your priceYou set exactly what you want per night. No Cabana restrictions. No minimum. No maximum. Your price, your property, your call.
- Go liveYour listing is reviewed (typically within 24 hours) and goes live to Cabana's growing guest base across Africa and internationally. Zero cost to list. Zero cost per booking. Always.
Which African cities does Cabana cover?
Cabana is currently live across:
- Kenya: Nairobi (all suburbs), Mombasa, Diani Beach, Malindi, Watamu, Lamu, Nakuru, Naivasha, Nanyuki
- Nigeria: Lagos (VI, Lekki, Ikoyi, Ikeja), Abuja, Port Harcourt
- Ghana: Accra (East Legon, Airport Residential, Cantonments, Osu), Kumasi, Cape Coast
- Tanzania: Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, Arusha
- Rwanda: Kigali
- Uganda: Kampala
- Ethiopia: Addis Ababa
- South Africa: Cape Town, Johannesburg
- Egypt: Cairo
- Morocco: Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez
Expanding to all 54 African nations. Any African host can list today — go to apatmento.space/become-partner.
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.
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