About Mackay Africa
Mackay Africa is a boutique safari company creating bespoke, high-end journeys across East Africa. Founded by Piper Mackay, whose experience spans African wildlife and cultural travel, the company is known for personal attention, thoughtful itineraries and care for guests from first conversation to the end of their safari. Its business is built on lasting relationships, repeat guests and referrals.
The opportunity
We are looking for an accomplished Sales Manager who understands luxury African travel and sees possibilities others may miss. This is a new position at the heart of Mackay Africa’s growth. You will turn enquiries into confirmed bookings, develop business with clients and international partners and bring fresh thinking to the way the company finds and serves its guests. Working directly with Piper, you will have the freedom to propose ideas, solve problems and build relationships that last well beyond one safari. An experienced reservations team will support the delivery of the journeys you sell.
What you will do
• Own the sales pipeline from first enquiry to confirmed booking, following up consistently across long planning cycles and meeting agreed sales targets.
• Build relationships with direct clients, past guests, international travel advisers, agents, tour leaders and referral partners; spot opportunities for repeat business and referrals before they are missed.
• Listen closely to each client and create imaginative, tailor-made itineraries that balance their interests and budget with sound logistics; prepare and check costings and present persuasive proposals.
• Work with the reservations team on accurate handovers after deposit while retaining the client relationship and checking that commitments are delivered.
• Welcome guests at the start of their safari, remain responsive during travel and seek feedback at the end whenever possible.
• Think one step ahead: identify promising markets, suggest creative campaigns with the in-house content team and turn trade-event introductions into business.
Experience and Qualifications
You have a minimum of five years of relevant sales experience in a similar position in luxury African safaris, a DMC or high-end travel and you hold a university degree. You can show how you have converted enquiries, developed new business and earned repeat clients. You know the premium East African safari market, particularly Kenya, and are familiar with Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda. Relationships with international travel advisers are an advantage.
Character matters enormously. You are exceptionally trustworthy, ethical, accountable and extremely well presented. Warm and confident with people, you start conversations naturally and make clients feel understood. You are creative and solution-focused: when something changes, you find a way forward, think outside the box and stay one step ahead. You follow through without being chased, notice the details and take responsibility for your decisions. You enjoy sharing ideas, welcome direct feedback and have a genuine interest in wildlife, conservation and African cultures and are happy to work in a boutique, growing business. You have the maturity and judgement to work largely without supervision, take ownership of decisions and help lead Mackay Africa’s growth.