Answers guest enquiries
Replies to emails and WhatsApps about rates, availability and directions from your approved answers.
Lodges and guest houses
AI reservations help for lodges and guest houses
Guest enquiries come in at all hours. Your AI employee answers them on WhatsApp and email, and the voice receptionist picks up the phone – so no booking slips away.
Who it's for
- Lodges and game reserves
- Guest houses and B&Bs
- Self-catering and small hotels
What it does for you
Sends quotes
Prepares quotes from your rate sheet for you to approve and send.
Follows up bookings
Chases unpaid deposits and unanswered quotes at the times you set.
Answers the phone
The voice receptionist takes calls 24/7 and books call-backs.
Pre-arrival messages
Sends directions, check-in times and what to bring before guests arrive.
WhatsApp example (illustrative)
New enquiry: family of four, 12–14 December, asking about the family chalet and game drives.
I've drafted a quote from the December rate sheet. Reply YES to send.
YES
Sent. I'll follow up on Friday if they haven't paid the deposit.
Voice Receptionist
R2,950/month launch pricing
300 minutes included (about 150 calls). Setup R2,500. All prices prepaid.
See Voice pricingCompare
How WorkForge compares
Monthly cost
- WorkForge
- From R2,950
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- About R1,000–R2,000
- Outsourced answering service
- About R2,500–R10,000, by call volume
- Hiring a receptionist
- About R8,000 salary; R10,000–R15,000 with UIF, leave and admin
Who sets it up
- WorkForge
- Live in 48 hours for standard set-ups
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- You build and train it
- Outsourced answering service
- The provider
- Hiring a receptionist
- You recruit and train
Answers 24/7, incl. weekends and load-shedding
- WorkForge
- Yes
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- Usually
- Outsourced answering service
- Often extra for after-hours
- Hiring a receptionist
- Office hours only
Makes outbound calls (follow-ups, reminders, specials)
- WorkForge
- Yes
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- Rarely
- Outsourced answering service
- Sometimes, charged per call
- Hiring a receptionist
- Yes, between other work
South African voices that say local names properly
- WorkForge
- Yes
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- Varies
- Outsourced answering service
- Yes
- Hiring a receptionist
- Yes
Recording, transcript and summary after every call
- WorkForge
- Yes
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- Varies
- Outsourced answering service
- Message only
- Hiring a receptionist
- No
Contract
- WorkForge
- No lock-in – cancel any time
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- Usually month to month
- Outsourced answering service
- Varies
- Hiring a receptionist
- Employment contract and notice period
Human support in South Africa
- WorkForge
- Yes
- Typical DIY AI receptionist app
- Varies
- Outsourced answering service
- Yes
- Hiring a receptionist
- Not applicable
Not the cheapest – the most complete. DIY apps cost less because you do the work. A receptionist costs about three times more and goes home at five.
Comparison based on publicly listed South African prices and features in October 2026. Figures for other options are typical ranges, not quotes from any specific provider.
Questions
Yes, where we connect your booking system. Otherwise it works from the availability you share and checks with you before confirming.
Only within the rules you set. Quotes and confirmations can wait for your approval.
Our assistants introduce themselves by name and your business, mention call recording, and never pretend to be human if asked.
Your next employee is one WhatsApp away.
Live in 48 hours for standard set-ups. You get your time back.
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Founding offer for our first 20 clients: launch prices locked for 6 months and 50% off setup.