Lodge Manager & Field Guide Couple

MORE Family Collection; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading hospitality brand in Limpopo is seeking a hospitality couple for Lodge Manager and Field Guide positions. Candidates should have 5-star safari experience, strong communication skills, and a passion for guest delight in a unique mountain lodge setting. The role demands both leadership in guest services and guiding guests through nature, making it an exciting opportunity for those who love hospitality and the outdoors.

Benefits

Live and work in a unique natural setting

Competitive compensation

Training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in a senior lodge management role.
• Proven track record in delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• High level of professionalism, emotional maturity, and flexibility.
• Solid knowledge of lodge operations and luxury guest expectations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure exceptional guest interaction and seamless stay.
• Lead guest services team and oversee lodge operations.
• Maintain cleanliness and presentation of the lodge.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Guest service

Planning

Education

FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF4)

First Aid Level 1

Valid driver's license

Job description

N.B. To apply as a Couple, please either submit your CVs combined into 1 document. Alternatively upload the other CV under Supporting Documents

Marataba Mountain Lodge — a place where bold mountain landscapes meet silent luxury and soul-stirring wilderness — is searching for an exceptional hospitality couple to lead and guide the guest experience at this remarkable, off-the-beaten-track destination.

As part of the MORE Family Collection, Marataba Mountain Lodge offers a rare opportunity to live and work in an extraordinary setting: five private eco-suites nestled into the cliffs of a malaria-free Big Five reserve. With views stretching across the Waterberg mountains and the Marakele plains, this is not just a lodge — it’s an escape into raw beauty, elevated comfort, and deeply personal connection.

Lodge Manager Position Summary

The Lodge Manager is responsible for the total oversight of the guest experience at the lodge, ensuring exceptional guest interaction and creating a welcoming, authentic, and seamless stay. This includes hands-on leadership of the guest services team, proactive communication, issue resolution, and continuous training and development of all lodge team members to maintain the highest standards of luxury service and hospitality.

Key Responsibilities

Guest Experience & Service

• Be a visible and hands-on host, meeting and engaging with guests daily to ensure a personalized and unforgettable stay.
• Maintain the established standards of guest care, guest delight, and guest feedback management, always turning guest comments into opportunities for improvement.
• Respond promptly and graciously to all guest queries, complaints, and special requests; use all feedback as a learning platform.
• Act as the primary contact for high-profile guests, VIPs, travel agents, and media visits as required.
• Conduct regular guest briefings and ensure all activities and experiences run seamlessly.

Lodge Operations

• Take full responsibility for all lodge operations in the absence of the General Manager.
• Ensure consistent communication and alignment with all other lodge departments — food & beverage, housekeeping, guiding, guest relations, and maintenance — to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Ensure departmental procedures and service standards are current and in line with company SOPs and guest expectations.
• Maintain cleanliness, orderliness, and presentation of the lodge at all times.

Staff Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and motivate the guest services team, setting clear goals, and performance expectations.
• Develop and support talent, including identifying and training team members for career growth.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive culture amongst the team at the lodge.

Financial & Stock Controls

• Support accurate financial processes including daily expenditure control, stock control, ordering, and stock-take processes.
• Monitor guest services costs and recommend efficiencies without compromising guest satisfaction.
• Adhere to par stock levels and manage supplier relations for guest service products.

Compliance & Standards

• Maintain adherence to all company health, safety, and sustainability policies — including fire, hygiene, and HACCP.
• Ensure full team compliance with the company’s sustainability initiatives around water, waste, energy, and local partnerships.
• Implement and follow all HR policies and procedures including roster management, leave, overtime, and discipline.

Communication & Reporting

• Attend regular management meetings to report on guest feedback, lodge service performance, and staff development.
• Prepare timely and accurate reports for the General Manager and MORE Family Collection support office as required.
  
  

Field Guide Position Summary

The Field Guide will embody the spirit of Marataba’s wilderness — engaging guests with exceptional guiding, ecological storytelling, and tailored safari experiences. This role is more than a job — it's a calling to share nature’s wonder with insight and humility.

• Follow all procedures for maintaining the overall operation of the Guides and Safari department, including individual, family and kids’ safari experiences, safety, excellent guest and staff relations, hosting of guests, and all equipment, vehicles and assets.
  
  
• Perform all Field Guide functions according to the standards of FGASA and the MORE Guiding culture, including guest introductory and safety orientations, guided game drives and interpretive bush walks, tracking, identification of spoor, delivering informative lectures on relevant ecological topics, and drinks stops and other bush events.
  
  
• Be available for all game drives, back-up drives, and stand-by duties as directed.
  
  
• Practice proficient and safe weapon handling as directed.
  
  
• Contribute to the lodge social media platforms, ensuring consistent delivery of relevant and appealing information with the broad aim of increasing knowledge of the Wildlife and operating area.
  
  
• Assist with incident handling in the event of emergency / evacuation, including medical emergencies, fire, and flood.
  
  

Lodge Manager Required Skills & Experience

• Minimum of 3-5 years’ experience in a senior lodge management or guest services role in a 5-star safari or boutique hotel environment.
• Proven track record in delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills — a natural motivator and team player.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• High level of professionalism, emotional maturity, and flexibility.
• Organized, with exceptional attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Solid knowledge of lodge operations and luxury guest expectations.
• Valid driver’s license and own transport essential.
• Computer literate (MS Office Suite) and familiar with property management systems.

Field Guide Required Skills and Experience

• FGASA Nature Site Guide (NQF4 and Trails Guide qualification)
• ARH and Rifle Proficiency, First Aid Level 1, Driver’s License and Pr-DP.
• Previous experience as Field Guide at a Luxury Safari Lodge
• Knowledge on the applicable / relevant property and company procedures for the department, according to the standards of FGASA and the MORE Guiding culture.

What We’re Looking For in You (Couple Requirements)

• A dynamic, mature couple with 5-star safari lodge experience
• A shared passion for guest delight, hospitality excellence, and nature
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High emotional intelligence, adaptability, and problem-solving capabilities
• Both roles must hold valid driver’s licenses and appropriate certifications

MAXIMIZING YOUR IMPACT AS A MEMBER OF THE MORE FAMILY COLLECTION

• Excellent attention to detail.
• Guest focus philosophy, living the MORE brand and driving the MORE experience.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal), practicing honest communication.
• Team player with positive attitude, enthusiasm, and emotional control.
• Excellent time management and self-discipline, interpersonal & solution seeking skills.
• Proactive, use initiative and creative flair when required.
• Committed and loyal, adaptable, and flexible.
• Must work accurately under pressure.
• People skills – tolerance, patience, and care, ability to receive constructive feedback openly.

We create opportunities and experiences for people to enrich their lives.

Our values guide our behaviours and how we act, and they help us find the right partnerships for growth:

Be AWARE (the “thoughtful” value)

Eyes and ears open

Arrive ready

Be human

Respond GENEROUSLY (the “more” value)Always respond

Give more, do more

Have a mindset of abundance

Strength in DIVERSITY (the “family” value)Act in harmony

Work together

Act inclusively

Make it BETTER (the “continuous improvement” value)

Positively influence

Keep learning

Own it