Background:

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 24 protected areas in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

AP-X is a strategic donor retention, ​engagement and development program within the African Parks Network. It is a full access, behind-the-scenes, bespoke experience that takes place in any park across our portfolio. Designed to both strengthen and create strategic funding relationships for APN, in addition to helping provide quality revenue streams into the park where the experience takes place.

It is not available to the main safari or travel trade and will always be accompanied by either an AP senior staff member, fundraising account manager or an ​approved private guide.

Job purpose:

The AP-X travel manager will be responsible for itinerary planning, execution and delivery of the travel experience taking place in conjunction with the responsible account manager or private guide and park management teams, in addition to providing administrative and operational support to the AP-X project manager.

Key responsibilities: (included but not limited to the following)

1. Travel Design -
   • Liaising with global fundraising teams to create bespoke itineraries for their donors in their regions
   • Quoting on travel at cost and building of itineraries on Safari Portal
   • Managing reservations, booking process and itineraries once the booking is confirmed
   • Liaising with ground handlers and preferred AP-X suppliers
   • Updating parks accordingly with detailed guest information
2. Administration -
   • Managing of AP-X specialist camp reservations and allocations
   • Guest invoicing and payment allocations (ResRequest)
   • Supplier invoices and payments to secure services for travel
   • Financial reconciliations in conjunction with the AP-X travel designer (guest invoices, supplier invoices, proof of payments, credit notes and other documentation relating to the final reconciliation to the finance team)
   • Following up with suppliers and ground handlers
   • Monthly reporting on experiences and revenue
   • Research and assistance on guest profiles
   • Updating of Safari Portal content pages in conjunction with Marketing and Comms
   • Assisting with implementing and maintaining the standard operating procedures
   • Assisting with managing supplier SLA’s and NDA’s
3. Operational -
   • Support the AP-X project manager as and when required with experiences, operational requirements or ad-hoc requirements
   • Stand in for the AP-X project manager when AP-X project manager is not available
   • Assist AP-X travel designer as and when required with travel and / or administration
   • Communication on travel WhatsApp groups
   • Assistance and management of the work phone and being on standby during the week and over weekends when travel takes place
   • Travel to the parks may be required

Requirements for the role:

• Tertiary qualifications (proof will be required once shortlisted)
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in the high-end luxury safari industry and proven track record – both in operations and reservations (will require three contactable references once shortlisted)
• Proven track record with suppliers and agents (will require two contactable references once shortlisted)
• Experience in using ResRequest and Safari Portal – or similar reservation and itinerary building tools (proof will be required once shortlisted)
• Basic booking keeping skills, financial acumen and business management
• Travel knowledge of Angola, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique advantageous
• Professional, fun, creative, team player who is willing to share ideas and learnings with others
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated
• Ability to take initiative, with excellent planning and organizational skills
• Attention to detail with a high level of accuracy
• Comfortable with multitasking on executing various experiences simultaneously
• Formidable communication skills, both written and verbal (non-negotiable)
• Computer literate with Microsoft Office 365 (Outlook, Share Point, Word, Excel, Power Point)
• Ability to build and manage relationships with a wide variety of people and cultures
• The position is not commission based, however there is opportunity to travel and be a part of the conservation initiatives across the various parks when operationally possible

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To apply, please email your salary expectation, CV and cover letter to [email protected] by the 8^th of April 2026.