Needles Lodge: Where the Kruger Comes to You

SATSA Member: Needles Lodge - 2385

Product: Wholesale Safari Packages

Target Markets: Groups, International

Website: www.needleslodge.com

Tucked away in the tranquil Marloth Park conservancy on the southern boundary of the Kruger National Park, Needles Lodge is a boutique safari retreat where the line between nature and comfort disappears. Here, guests are immersed in the rhythms of the bushveld from the moment they arrive — with zebra, kudu, warthogs, and even giraffe visiting the property daily.

Needles Lodge offers authentic, affordable safari experiences without compromising on comfort or quality. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, with a focus on personalised service that quickly makes guests feel at home — many of whom return again and again, calling Needles their “home in the bush.”

Food is a central part of the experience. Guests are treated to fresh, healthy, and varied meals, crafted with locally sourced ingredients and a generous emphasis on vegetables. Meals are shared around a long communal table, often under the stars — where stories, laughter, and connection are always on the menu.

The lodge features spacious, en-suite rooms, thoughtfully designed for both comfort and privacy, and nestled among indigenous trees filled with birdsong. A newly completed composite deck — part of recent upgrades — provides the perfect setting for al fresco dining, wildlife viewing, or simply enjoying a sundowner.

For those eager to explore, the lodge offers daily game drives into Kruger National Park in its own open safari vehicles, led by experienced guides. Guests can also join SANParks-operated morning walks and sunset drives, offering new perspectives of the bush. Needles Lodge also provides private transfers to and from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) via its Quantum bus for added guest convenience.

To enhance the guest experience, a Digital Guest Guide is now available — a mobile-friendly tool that agents can easily share with clients ahead of their visit. It includes check-in information, dietary forms, activity details, safety tips, and travel planning resources. Guests can even arrange travel insurance directly through the platform.

Sustainability and community involvement are core to the lodge’s ethos. Needles Lodge supports local suppliers, participates in conservation efforts, and actively contributes to animal welfare and crime prevention initiatives in Marloth Park.