Senior Reservationist

Craven Cottage CC; White River; On-site; ZAR 350,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Craven Cottage CC in White River, South Africa, is seeking an experienced Reservations Manager to handle direct, travel-agent and DMC enquiries from quotation through to booking confirmation. You will maintain accurate rates, availability and guest records, and coordinate with lodge teams to ensure smooth handovers.

The ideal candidate has senior reservations experience, preferably in luxury safari lodges, strong system skills and excellent written communication.

Qualifications

• Senior reservations experience, preferably within luxury safari lodges or related environment.
• Strong reservations-system skills and commercial awareness.
• Excellent written communication and meticulous attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and supervise daily reservations activity.
• Willingness to participate in standby rotation and relocation if needed.

Responsibilities

• Respond to direct, travel-agent and DMC enquiries from quotation to booking confirmation.
• Maintain rates, availability, and guest information accurately.
• Calculate quotations, commissions, deposits, and balances precisely.
• Manage provisional bookings, follow-ups, amendments and cancellations per policy.
• Coordinate with lodge teams for accurate guest handovers.
• Guide reservations team, prioritize workloads, and maintain service standards.
• Provide reporting on booking activity and sales performance.

Skills

Senior reservations experience

Reservations-system proficiency

Commercial awareness

Excellent written communication

Attention to detail

Independent work

Standby rotation

Education

Grade 12

Formal qualification

Job description

Duties

• Manage direct, travel-agent and DMC enquiries from quotation through to booking confirmation.
• Maintain accurate rates, availability, booking records and guest information.
• Calculate quotations, commissions, deposits and outstanding balances accurately.
• Manage provisional bookings, follow-ups, amendments and cancellations within approved policies.
• Coordinate with lodge teams to ensure complete and accurate guest handovers.
• Guide and support the reservations team, prioritise workloads and maintain service standards.
• Provide reporting on booking activity, sales performance and outstanding enquiries.

Requirements

• Grade 12
• A formal qualification
• Proven senior reservations experience, preferably within luxury safari lodges, a lodge collection or a central reservations environment.
• Demonstrate strong reservations-system skills, commercial awareness, excellent written communication and careful attention to detail.
• Comfortable working independently, supervising daily reservations activity and converting enquiries into bookings while maintaining accurate financial and operational records.
• Able to participate in standby rotation
• Candidates relocating should have a clear relocation plan and realistic availability.