Shinta Mani Wild and HMD Asia are pleased to announce the appointment of South African hospitality executive Jacky Collett-Stevens as General Manager, effective 1 August 2026. She brings more than 20 years of international luxury hospitality experience across some of Africa’s most celebrated safari lodges, boutique hotels and eco-luxury resorts.
Jacky joins the award-winning luxury tented camp at an exciting time as Shinta Mani Wild continues to build on its international reputation for conservation-led luxury travel while expanding its community and environmental initiatives in Cambodia’s Southern Cardamom National Park.
An accomplished hospitality leader with an extensive background in luxury lodge operations, Jacky has built her career managing award-winning properties throughout Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Botswana, Mozambique and, most recently, Rwanda. Widely respected for her people-first leadership style, she combines strategic vision with meticulous operational standards, creating exceptional guest experiences while developing high-performing teams and fostering meaningful connections with local communities.
Prior to joining Shinta Mani Wild, Jacky served as Acting General Manager at The Pinnacle Kigali, where she played a pivotal role in the successful pre-opening of the ultra-luxury boutique hotel. She oversaw operational readiness across all Rooms Division functions, recruited and trained the opening team, implemented luxury service standards and helped position the property among Africa’s leading new hotels.
Previously, as Group Guest Experience and Training Manager for Green Safaris in Zambia and Malawi, Jacky led quality assurance, brand standards and staff development across the company’s collection of award-winning safari camps, introducing innovative guest experiences while strengthening service excellence throughout the group.
She also spent more than five years with the renowned Tongabezi and Sindabezi Island lodges in Zambia, progressing from Lodges Manager to General Manager, where she oversaw all aspects of lodge operations while championing sustainable tourism, authentic hospitality and community engagement.
Her career has been defined by a passion for creating meaningful guest experiences that are deeply connected to nature, wildlife and local culture, making her an ideal fit for Shinta Mani Wild’s philosophy of adventure with purpose.
Jacky holds qualifications in Hospitality and Service Management, Tourism Management and Lodge Management, and has further certifications in tourism guiding, holistic nutrition and wine studies. She has also served on the Board of Governors of the Tongabezi Trust School in Zambia and has long championed partnerships with local communities, suppliers and conservation organisations as an integral part of responsible tourism.
