Operations & Administrative Assistant (Custom African Safaris)

RecruitMyMom; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 223,000 - 312,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Flexible core hours

Job summary

Zohorecruit, based in Cape Town, seeks an experienced Operations & Administrative Assistant to support safari consultants and management. The role offers a full-time permanent position with flexible core hours (08h00–17h00) and a hybrid setup (3 days in-office, 2 days remote; onboarding in-office).

You will handle itinerary and sales admin, supplier payments, invoicing, and day-to-day bookkeeping, plus office coordination to ensure smooth operations and accurate records.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years of operational or administrative experience in travel/safari industry.
• Fluent written and verbal English with strong client communication.
• Proficient in MS Excel and MS Word; familiarity with Safari Portal or Xero is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Itinerary & Sales Administration: prepare client quotes, draft itineraries, make flight/hotel reservations, manage client files and pre-departure communications.
• Financial & Bookkeeping Management: prepare supplier payments, audit invoices, manage accounts payable, track financials in MS Excel with migration to Xero.
• Office & Operations Coordination: oversee general office admin and liaise with IT/vendors to support consultants.
• In-Destination Support & File Management: update client databases, handle schedule changes, respond to queries in real time.
• Workflow & General Support: assist with ad hoc operational tasks to ensure smooth company operations.

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Team player

Problem-solving

Tools

MS Excel

MS Word

Safari Portal

Xero

Job description

Operations & Administrative Assistant (Custom African Safaris)

CBD, Cape Town, South Africa |

• Location Type Hybrid (Part office, Part remote)
• Job Type Permanent
• Salary R20 000 - R28 000 negotiable based on experience
• Remuneration Term Per Month
• Date Opened 08/10/2026
• Please note We know how much effort goes into every application. While we would love to respond to every one, the volume we receive makes this difficult. Our highest placement success is with candidates who have 3+ years of relevant experience. Parenting breaks don’t count against you. If you have not heard from us within 21 days, we have been unable to move forward with your application for this role.
• State/Province Western Cape
• City/Town CBD, Cape Town
• Country South Africa

Job Description

A well-established boutique travel agency specialising in high-end, custom African safaris is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Operations & Administrative Assistant. Backed by an international clientele and a supportive team culture, this is a full-time, permanent role offering flexible core working hours (08h00 - 17h00, Monday to Friday) and a hybrid work setup (3 days in-office, 2 days remote; with the first month in-office for onboarding).

The role focuses on providing essential operational, sales, bookkeeping, and administrative support to consultants and company management, ensuring smooth itinerary execution and accurate financial tracking.

Responsibilities:

• Itinerary & Sales Administration: Assist safari specialists by preparing client quotes, drafting itineraries via Safari Portal, making flight / hotel reservations, and managing client files and pre-departure communications.
• Financial & Bookkeeping Management: Prepare supplier payments, audit incoming invoices against quoted rates, manage day-to-day accounts payable, and track financial records in MS Excel with upcoming migration to Xero.
• Office & Operations Coordination: Oversee general office admin (purchasing supplies, liaising with IT and telecom vendors) and act as a central hub to free up consultants' time.
• In-Destination Support & File Management: Handle real-time schedule adjustments or client queries as needed and keep client database records accurate and up to date.
• Workflow & General Support: Proactively assist with general operational tasks as required to ensure the smooth, uninterrupted running of the company.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 2 to 3 years of operational or administrative experience in the travel / safari industry (non-negotiable, knowledge of East/Southern Africa rate structures and flight bookings is advantageous).
• Culture & Mindset: Grounded, warm, and proactive team player with high attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and a genuine care for delivering exceptional client experiences.
• Communication & Judgement: Flawless written and verbal English skills with strong confidence to communicate effectively with clients, suppliers, and internal teams.
• Technical Aptitude: Proficient in MS Excel (formulas and basic calculations) and MS Word; prior experience with Safari Portal or Xero is advantageous.
• Location & Mobility: Based in Cape Town within commuting distance of the central CBD office (3 days in-office, 2 days remote; first month fully in-office for onboarding).
• Basic Salary: R20 000 - R28 000 per month (negotiable based on experience).
• Work Flexibility: Flexible core working hours (08h00 - 17h00 Monday to Friday) to accommodate traffic and personal responsibilities.
• Work Environment: Supportive, inclusive, and relaxed culture and a welcoming environment.