Reservations Manager

Department: Reservations / Rooms Division / Sales Support

Location: Kruger Gate Hotel, Skukuza, Mpumalanga

Employment Type: Full-time

Experience Required: Minimum 5 years in the same or similar Reservations Manager role

Position Overview:

Kruger Gate Hotel is looking for an experienced, guest-focused, and commercially minded Reservations Manager to lead our reservations function and uphold the high service standards expected of a world-class safari hotel experience. Situated at the iconic Paul Kruger Gate, our hotel welcomes local and international guests seeking warm South African hospitality, seamless booking support, and an unforgettable Kruger safari stay.

About the Role

• Lead and manage the Reservations Department, ensuring efficient daily operations and consistently high service standards.
• Oversee all FIT, group, corporate, leisure and travel trade reservations from enquiry through to confirmation and pre-arrival communication.
• Maximise occupancy, average daily rate and room revenue through effective inventory control, upselling, booking conversion and yield awareness.
• Ensure all reservations are accurately captured, updated and maintained in the property management system.
• Maintain strong working relationships with tour operators, travel agents, corporate clients, online platforms and internal hotel departments.
• Communicate guest requirements, VIP arrivals, special occasions, safari arrangements and group details clearly to Front Office, Housekeeping, F&B, Sales, Finance and Operations.
• Monitor booking trends, pick-up reports, cancellations, no-shows and forecast information to support revenue and operational planning.
• Train, coach and support the reservations team to deliver professional, accurate and guest-centered service.
• Ensure compliance with hotel policies relating to deposits, payments, guarantees, cancellation terms, rate codes and data accuracy.
• Represent the Kruger Gate Hotel standard through warm communication, attention to detail, urgency, accountability and pride in service delivery.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in the same or a similar Reservations Manager position within a hotel, lodge or luxury hospitality environment.
• Strong knowledge of hotel reservations, room inventory management, rate structures, distribution channels and guest booking journeys.
• Previous experience working with PMS and reservations systems such as Opera, Fidelio or similar platforms.
• Proven ability to lead a team, manage workflows and maintain accuracy under pressure.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; additional South African languages will be advantageous.
• Hospitality Management qualification or relevant tertiary qualification preferred.
• Strong computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and reporting tools.

The Ideal Candidate

• Passionate about delivering exceptional guest service from the first point of contact.
• Highly organised, detail-driven and accurate with reservation information.
• Commercially aware, with a strong focus on occupancy, revenue and conversion.
• Calm and professional when handling pressure, guest concerns or last-minute changes.
• Able to collaborate effectively with Sales, Front Office, Finance, Housekeeping, Food & Beverage and Operations.
• A natural leader who can motivate, guide and develop a reservations team.
• Understands the expectations of local and international guests travelling to a premium safari destination.

The ideal candidate should be from the Belfast Trust and surrounding area, high desire to learn new skills, be able to work independently as well as part of a team and enjoy high stress production environments.

Apply in confidence to: recruitment@krugergatehotel.com with your comprehensive CV inclusive of a Police Clearance.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to contact all applicants. Should your application be deemed eligible, we will contact you within 05 days after the closing date.