Other: Reservations Manager – Adventure Safari Company – Botswana | Lb posted by HotelJobs

Reservations Manager Adventure Safari Company | Botswana
Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience

Kendrick Recruitment is currently seeking an experienced Reservations Manager to join a well-established adventure safari company based in Botswana. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in reservations management, excellent leadership skills, and a keen eye for operational efficiency across both lodge and mobile safari bookings.

This position reports directly to the General Manager and plays a strategic role in maximising yield, maintaining service standards, and leading a busy and diverse reservations department.

Key Responsibilities

Reservations Management

• Respond to enquiries with information and quotes
  

• Follow up on enquiries and convert to confirmed bookings
  

• Handle all private safari requests including itineraries and costings
  

• Update weekly and daily availability to agents
  

• Monitor team performance and allocate workload effectively
  

• Monthly bookings updates across all departments
  

Sales & Reservations Supervision

• Supervise and train reservations team for lodges and safaris
  

• Develop training plans and review staff progress
  

• Ensure adherence to company standards and SOPs
  

• Manage relationships and bookings with third-party suppliers
  

• Maintain quality control on all outgoing communication
  

Marketing Support

• Assist Marketing Manager with agent portfolios and performance analysis
  

• Identify new business opportunities and prepare agent productivity reports
  

• Contribute to trade show planning and preparations
  

Collateral and Templates

• Ensure all reservations templates and materials are current and correctly formatted
  

• Coordinate translations of materials into French and German
  

• Maintain an organised and structured reservations data system
  

Agent Relations

• Build and maintain strong agent relationships
  

• Participate in familiarisation trips and agent training
  

• Monitor agent performance and review commission rates as required
  

• Address agent and guest feedback
  

Bookings and Systems Management

• Update and maintain all booking schedules and reservation systems
  

• Ensure accurate data entry for bookings and guest information
  

• Prepare and manage tourism statistics for reporting
  

ResRequest Oversight

• Ensure efficient operation of ResRequest system
  

• Monitor standardised entry of reservations and rate codes
  

• Review provisionals, waitlists, and close outs for maintenance
  

Invoicing and Payments

• Generate invoices via QuickBooks/ResRequest for direct and agent bookings
  

• Monitor and follow up on outstanding payments
  

• Reconcile payments and verify third-party invoicing
  

• Manage payment links and reporting for upcoming invoices
  

Trip Documentation

• Issue and cross-check trip notes, manifests, vouchers, and related materials
  

• Oversee work permit applications and documentation timelines
  

• Coordinate with operations on last-minute changes
  

Guest & Booking Info Management

• Collate and manage guest preferences and special requirements
  

• Liaise with internal teams and suppliers to ensure accurate execution
  

• Monitor and process third-party bookings within cancellation windows
  

Budgeting & Financial Oversight

• Conduct sales analysis and create annual budgets
  

• Review agent and consultant performance
  

• Compile competitor analysis and create future rate structures
  

• Identify new opportunities for growth
  

Yield Management

• Maximise occupancy and revenue through proactive yield management
  

• Open/close safaris in consultation with management
  

• Drive sales during periods of limited availability
  

Staff Management

• Recruit, train, and appraise reservations staff
  

• Monitor performance and support professional development
  

• Plan and manage leave schedules and disciplinary processes
  

• Ensure cross-training and support across departments
  

Duty Management

• Participate in the senior management weekly duty roster
  

• Provide support to all departments as needed
  

Reporting

• Provide regular reports to General Manager and Directors
  

• Analyse departmental results and track against targets
  

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 4 years’ experience in a supervisory reservations role
  

• Preferably within the mobile safari or adventure travel industry
  

• University degree or diploma in hospitality or related field
  

• Strong command of ResRequest and advanced Excel skills
  

• Knowledge of the Botswana tourism sector
  

• Confident leader with a data-driven approach and high attention to detail
  

• Proven experience in budgeting, analysis, and rate development
  

This is a rewarding opportunity for an organised, people-focused individual to take on a vital role in a fast-paced and exciting safari environment.