Management Couple

Bushwise; Vaalwater; On-site; ZAR 457,000 - 547,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Food allowance

Live-in accommodation

Job summary

Vaalwater, South Africa-based Bushwise is seeking a live-in management couple to oversee a premier luxury safari lodge. You will lead guest experiences, manage shareholder communications, and control annual occupancy calendars while coordinating with a chef and a small staff.

Strong guiding credentials and hands-on maintenance are essential for this remote bush environment. The role combines hospitality leadership, administration, and field guiding across a high-end property in Welgevonden.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing a luxury safari lodge as a couple.
• FGASA Level 2 (NQF4) qualification and DEAT/NDDT registration.
• PrDP and backup trails guide tracking.
• Strong administrative and financial tracking skills.
• Excellent communication with shareholders and board members.

Responsibilities

• Greet guests, tailor lodge setup to shareholder preferences, and maintain top service standards.
• Draw up annual occupancy calendar, manage expenses, and oversee procurement.
• Lead bi-daily game drives and guided bush walks with guiding partner.
• Direct a small team, coordinate with a chef, and supervise casual staff.
• Maintain lodge buildings and grounds, ensure safety, and manage maintenance vendors.
• Source stand-in ranger for scheduled weeks off.

Skills

Leadership

Guest hosting

Communication

Team management

Mechanical maintenance

Education

FGASA Level 2 (NQF4) qualification

DEAT/NDDT registration

PrDP (Professional Driving Permit)

Job description

Vaalwater, South Africa | Posted on 09/14/2026

Position Type: Full-time, Live-in

Remuneration: R45,000+ per month (Dependent on experience and qualifications) + Food Allowance

About the Property:

We are an established, exclusive 10-bed syndicated luxury lodge situated in the spectacular, The lodge caters specifically to shareholders and their private guests, delivering a highly personalised and intimate five-star wilderness experience. We are seeking a passionate, dynamic, and experienced live-in Management Couple to assume full responsibility for this premier property and ensure it is meticulously prepared according to our shareholders’ individual requirements.

The Role & Reporting Structure:

This all-encompassing role requires a multi-skilled couple who possess strong leadership abilities, exceptional hospitality standards, and sound administrative and maintenance capabilities. The management couple will report directly to the Chairman and the Board of Directors, serving as the primary point of contact for all shareholder communications.

Key Responsibilities:

• Hospitality & Shareholder Relations: Warmly meet and greet guests upon arrival. Maintain excellent, professional communication with shareholders. Tailor the lodge setup to individual shareholder preferences for each stay.
  
• Administration & Finance: Draw up the annual shareholder occupancy calendar. Manage lodge operational expenses, process invoicing post-stay, and oversee the procurement of groceries, consumables, lodge equipment, and assets.
  
• Field Guiding & Guest Activities: Conduct professional, twice-daily game drives and guided bush walks (one partner must hold the required guiding qualifications).
  
• Staff Leadership: Manage and motivate an intimate permanent team of three, coordinate with a professional chef (brought in as required by shareholders), and supervise part-time workers. Draw up staff rosters and allocate daily duties, including the oversight of the in-house laundry.
  
• Maintenance & Asset Care: Hands-on maintenance of the lodge buildings, grounds, and all on-site equipment to keep the property in tip-top condition. Oversee the upkeep and servicing of the game-viewer and secondary lodge vehicle. Conduct regular site inspections to ensure full compliance with Welgevonden Game Reserve regulations. Source and manage specialist technicians for large-scale repairs.
  
• Operational Continuity: Source and appoint a suitable, qualified stand-in ranger to manage the property during your scheduled weeks off.
  

Requirements & Qualifications:

• Proven experience successfully managing a luxury safari lodge or high-end boutique hospitality property as a couple.
  
• Guiding Partner: Minimum FGASA Level 2 (NQF4) qualification, valid DEAT/NDDT registration, backup trails guide tracking, and a valid professional driving permit (PrDP).
  
• Hospitality/Admin Partner: Strong administrative acumen, financial tracking skills, and exceptional guest hosting capabilities.
  
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to interface confidently with corporate board members and high-net-worth shareholders.
  
• Hands-on mechanical and property maintenance skills (essential for the remote bush environment).
  
• Strong team leadership skills with a fair, motivating management style.
  

What We Offer:

• A competitive salary package starting at R45,000+ per month (negotiable based on expertise).
  
• A dedicated monthly food allowance.
  
• Comfortable, live-in management accommodation.