COUPLE ROLE: Hospitality Manager & Senior Field Guide (Full Trails / Back‑Up Trails)

Location: Eastern Cape Environment: Luxury Big 5 Lodge Start Date: ASAP Package: Competitive salary (DOE) + tips + accommodation + meals on duty

Role Overview

A luxury Big 5 lodge in the Eastern Cape is seeking an experienced Couple to fulfil two critical roles:

1. Hospitality Manager – overseeing guest experience, lodge operations, and hospitality teams.
2. Senior Field Guide – delivering exceptional safari experiences with Full Trails or Back‑Up Trails qualification.

This couple will work closely with lodge management to uphold world‑class service standards, ensure guest satisfaction, and contribute to conservation‑aligned operations.

PARTNER 1: Hospitality Manager

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver and maintain a world‑class guest experience across the lodge.
• Lead, mentor, and manage hospitality teams (FOH, service, hosting).
• Oversee daily operations, service quality, and SOP compliance.
• Manage FOH and beverage budgets, stock control, and supplier relations.
• Drive interdepartmental communication and collaboration.
• Ensure personalised guest engagement and seamless hosting.
• Uphold sustainability values aligned with The Long Run’s 4Cs.
• Support lodge administration, reporting, and operational planning.

Minimum Requirements

• 5+ years in hospitality, including 2+ years in a managerial role at a 5‑star lodge/hotel.
• Strong leadership, communication, and guest‑service skills.
• Financial and operational acumen; confident managing budgets.
• Proficient in hospitality systems & Microsoft Office.
• Calm, solutions‑driven, detail‑oriented, and professional.

PARTNER 2: Senior Field Guide (Full Trails or Back‑Up Trails)

Key Responsibilities

(Grounded in verified industry standards from HotelJobs field‑guide adverts)

• Conduct high‑quality Big 5 game drives and guided bush walks.
• Provide engaging, educational interpretation of wildlife, ecology, and conservation.
• Ensure guest safety during all activities, following strict safety protocols.
• Maintain safari vehicles, rifles, and guiding equipment in excellent condition.
• Promote responsible tourism and conservation ethics.
• Assist with lodge operations when not guiding (hosting, guest assistance).
• Participate in wildlife monitoring, conservation initiatives, and reserve management tasks.
• Conduct safety briefings and administer First Aid when required.

Minimum Requirements

• FGASA NQF2 / Level 1 or higher.
• Full Trails Guide or Back‑Up Trails qualification.
• VPDA, SAPS Rifle Competency, ARH.
• Valid PDP and First Aid.
• Experience guiding in a Big 5 reserve.
• Strong communication, guest‑service orientation, and situational awareness.
• Physically fit, professional, and passionate about conservation.

Couple Requirements

• Previous experience working together in a lodge environment (advantageous).
• Strong teamwork, communication, and compatibility under pressure.
• Ability to live and work in a remote Big 5 environment.
• High integrity, reliability, and professional presentation.

Package

• Competitive salary.
• Excellent tips (international clientele).
• Live‑in accommodation.
• Meals while on duty.
• Uniform and training opportunities.
• Work cycle as per lodge roster.

Company Overview Our client is an Exclusive Safari Lodge, luxury retreat situated in the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Famous for its incredible wildlife viewing and unpretentious yet deeply caring hospitality, they transform dining into a central, storytelling element of the broader safari adventure. Position Overview The Culinary Host & Food Journey Consultant acts as the crucial, front-facing link between the lodge's kitchen operations and the guest. This is not a traditional back-of-house Kitchen Manager role. Instead, it focuses heavily on hosting the evening dining experience, engaging directly with luxury travelers, and sharing the unique story, heritage, and regional inspiration behind every meal. The successful candidate will leverage deep technical culinary knowledge to support kitchen operations, ensure strict hygiene standards, and guarantee that guest expectations are perfectly translated into exceptional plate executions. Key Performance Areas (KPAs)

1. Guest Hosting & Experience Management

• Host and oversee the nightly dinner service to guarantee a seamless, engaging, and premium atmosphere.
• Share the narrative and cultural context behind the evening’s menu concepts to enrich the overall safari immersion.
• Proactively engage with international and local guests to gather immediate, constructive feedback.
• Bridge communication gaps by channeling guest insights, culinary compliments, and dietary concerns directly to the kitchen and lodge management.

2. Kitchen Support & Operations

• Liaise regularly with the Lodge Chef Consultant and Food & Beverage (F&B) Manager to roll out innovative menu variations and uphold visual standards.
• Support the back-of-house team dynamically, using personal kitchen experience to help staff master and replicate standard recipes.
• Provide practical, hands-on guidance during busy prep and service hours to build team confidence and maintain steady workflow patterns.

3. Quality Assurance & Compliance

• Enforce and monitor stringent Kitchen Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations.
• Audit hygiene practices, cleanliness, and storage protocols across all food preparation spaces.
• Ensure consistent plate execution so that dishes exiting the pass match the lodge's premium standards.

  Candidate Requirements Skills and Attributes

• Charismatic, polished host personality with an innate passion for front-of-house client interaction.
• Excellent verbal communication skills capable of captivating diverse, high-net-worth audiences.
• Strong technical culinary foundation paired with deep respect for kitchen mechanics and menu design.
• Meticulous attention to detail concerning plating presentation, environment layout, and safety procedures.
• Collaborative attitude equipped to build cross-departmental trust between serving staff, managers, and line cooks.

 Experience & Qualifications

• Proven track record working in a premium professional kitchen, food production environment, or high-end lodge setting.
• Demonstrated experience in public-facing hospitality, fine dining service, or premium lodge hosting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of standard food safety regulations (HACCP / OHS guidelines).
• Previous luxury safari lodge experience is required

  To apply, forward full comprehensive CV, all supporting documentation as well as portfolio and email details of all references to ronel@cedar-wood.co.za Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview, if you don’t get contacted within 7 day’s please regard your CV as not shortlisted.

We are looking for an Assistant Manager for a luxury lodge based in the Manyoni Private Game Reserve, Kwazulu-Natal, to join their team.

Meals while on duty as well as a variety of groceries for while off duty, live in position as well as a compulsory provident fund. Requirements for assistant manager: Valid Drivers license Valid first aid level 1 - Preferred 1 year previous working experience in similar role Salary R13000 Neg depending on experience The assistant manager should be able to handle in-camp issues and use initiative and work alone and well under pressure. To apply please send your full updated cv with contactable references, head and shoulder photo, copy of all qualifications and drivers license and notice period to admin1@cedar-woods.co.za

Sous Chef   Key Responsibilities

• Assisting the Head Chef and Sous Chef in a busy lodge kitchen
• Hands-on food preparation and kitchen operations
• Conducting stock takes and placing orders
• Managing kitchen administration, including menus, recipes, and stock systems
• Maintaining stock rotation procedures
• Adapting to guest dietary requirements and preferences
• Interacting confidently with guests when required

  Requirements

• Outgoing, friendly, and guest-focused personality
• Strong organisational and administration skills
• Computer literacy
• Experience with stock control and ordering
• Ability to work well under pressure in a busy kitchen environment
• Adaptable and flexible
• Own reliable transport

  Package

• Live-in position
• 6 weeks on / 2 weeks off roster
• Salary: R12,000 to R14,000 per month

To apply forward CV and all supporting documentation as well as email details of contactable reference to Ronel@cedar-wood.co.za   Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted