Umema

Beautiful homes.
Shared with family.

umema — "to invite" in Zulu & Xhosa

Umema helps South African families manage and share their holiday homes — from the wild coast to the Karoo, the Berg to the Bush.

Your family home, fairly shared

Managing a shared holiday home between family members can be complicated — who's going when, who has priority, what it costs. Umema brings everyone onto the same page with a shared calendar, transparent booking costs, and clear records for every stay.

Members can check availability, make bookings and see the full picture — no more family group chats trying to coordinate the December holidays.

Shared calendar

Everyone sees availability at a glance

Family members

Roles for organisers and members

Cost tracking

Transparent rates and expenses

Booking history

Full records for every stay

"South Africa has some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world — mountain retreats, wild coastlines, bushveld escapes. Umema makes it easier for more people to experience them."

Open the doors to paying guests

When the family isn't using the home, why let it sit empty? Umema lets home organisers open bookings to paying guests, helping to offset running costs and share those incredible locations with more people.

Guest rates, commission tracking, and booking status are all managed in one place — keeping the finances clear for everyone involved.

Rooted in local communities

Umema is built around the people who know these places best — local booking agents embedded in the communities around each home.

Local knowledge

Agents live in and around the areas where homes are located. They know the roads, the seasons, and the people — and can give guests a genuine welcome.

The connecting link

Agents bridge the gap between families with beautiful homes and guests looking for unforgettable experiences — creating bookings and building relationships in their communities.

Fair commission

Agents earn a transparent commission on every guest booking they make, tracked automatically in the platform — a sustainable income for people doing meaningful work in their communities.

Ready to get started?

Browse available homes, or create an account to manage your own.

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