Senior Guide & General Manager Couple

Location: Mkuze

An intimate, conservation-led safari lodge set within a private game reserve in Kwa Zulu-Natal is looking for a capable couple to take on two connected roles: a GENERAL MANAGER and a SENIOR FIELD GUIDE.

This is a wonderful opportunity for a pair who between them bring strong operational leadership and top-tier guiding experience to a small property where guest immersion in the wild and genuine conservation values sit at the heart of everything.

Role 1 | General Manager

Core Criteria:

• Proven senior management experience in luxury hospitality or lodge operations
• Strong financial acumen, with experience in budget control and revenue management
• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, with the ability to build, mentor, and retain a team
• Track record of raising guest satisfaction and service standards
• Solid operational knowledge across Rooms Division, Food & Beverage, Maintenance, and Guest Experience
• High emotional intelligence, resilience, and adaptability in a remote, fast-changing environment
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Genuine commitment to sustainability, conservation, and community values

Candidate Responsibilities:

• Deliver a seamless, high-touch guest journey in line with luxury hospitality standards
• Act as a visible host and ambassador for the lodge, building authentic guest relationships
• Continuously look for ways to improve and elevate service delivery
• Oversee daily operations across all departments
• Put systems in place for efficiency, cost control, and quality assurance
• Maintain consistency in presentation, housekeeping, and food and beverage standards
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting
• Optimise revenue streams and track key performance indicators
• Align day-to-day operations with the lodge's longer-term business goals
• Lead, coach, and develop the management team and wider staff
• Drive succession planning and staff training initiatives
• Build and protect a positive, stable workplace culture
• Oversee property maintenance and asset care
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental standards
• Uphold the lodge's conservation and sustainability principles

Role 2 | Senior Guide

Core Criteria:

• Minimum 3-5 years' experience guiding in a luxury safari lodge environment
• FGASA Level 2 (NQF
  4) qualification
• FGASA Assessor/Mentor strongly beneficial
• DEAT / NDT registration
• Valid First Aid certificate
• Valid PDP license
• Advanced Rifle Handling (ARH) qualification
• Strong birding knowledge and interpretive guiding ability
• Proven off-road driving and vehicle management experience
• Clear criminal record, with all legal requirements in place

Candidate Responsibilities:

• Conduct twice-daily game drives and/or guided walks tailored to guest interests
• Deliver engaging, interpretive experiences covering the Big 5, large predators, general game, and the reserve's 400+ bird species
• Share knowledge on endangered species such as black rhino, cheetah, and pangolin
• Bring strong storytelling and interpretive skills to every guest interaction
• Host guests during meals and lodge activities at a luxury standard
• Maintain strict adherence to guest safety and guiding protocols

• Work closely with lodge management and the farm manager to keep daily operations running smoothly
• Maintain safari vehicles, equipment, and guiding standards
• Assist with basic lodge and farm maintenance when needed
• Support collaboration across departments and help uphold service standards

• Oversee day-to-day lodge operations and staff coordination
• Ensure a consistently strong guest experience across every touchpoint
• Act as the primary on-site host and problem solver
• Handle guest queries, special requests, and service recovery
• Supervise housekeeping, maintenance, and guiding teams
• Assist with basic admin, stock control, and operational reporting
• Maintain a calm, professional leadership presence at all times

This is a live-in position