Needles Lodge is a warm, welcoming owner-run lodge in the heart of Marloth Park, a private, residential nature reserve on the border of the Kruger National Park, one of the largest and oldest game reserves in the world. Situated between the Malelane and Crocodile Bridge entrances to KNP, easy access into Kruger is assured.
In addition to the sights and sounds of the African bush, there are resident warthogs at Needles Lodge and regular appearances from local giraffe, zebra, kudu, wildebeest and impala who wander around the lodge providing endless opportunities for close-up animal interaction.
With Kruger Park in the `back garden`, Needles Lodge is the perfect launch-pad for your safari trip. Stay a few days, enjoy the hospitality, take a day-trip to discover the diverse attractions in the province of Mpumalanga and, if you`re looking for a peaceful retreat, simply relax by the pool and escape the hustle and bustle of every-day life.
Free Activities for our lodge guests
Walks in Marloth Park and on the banks of The Crocodile River
Dont forget a good pair of walking or jogging shoes! Enjoy a walk or jog in the bush and along the Crocodile River with every chance of spotting the big five, crocodiles, hippopotamus and many other game species. Marloth Park enjoys a 15 kilometre common border with the mighty Crocodile River and the Kruger Park. Explore and learn about the different indigenous trees, grasses and wild flowers growing in Marloth Parks 4300 hectares. Stop and sit with your binoculars at one of the hides and view points and see what strolls by.
Bird Watching
Birdlife reference books are available at the lodge for use of our guests. Sightings of over 300 bird species have been recorded in Marloth Park. Get up real close with your camera and take amazing shots of the many wonderful species that are endemic to this region. Learn the various bird calls and see how many species you can identify.
Self-Drive Safari
Situated between the two main southern entry points to the Kruger National Park, Needles Lodge is located 35kms from Malelane Gate and only 30kms from Crocodile Bridge Gate. This offers quick, easy access to the Park for day trips, with time enough to view a large section of the southern section of the park which is the most popular part of Kruger. Lodge management will be on hand to go over the maps and give advice if required. We will also supply you info on the latest big five sightings as seen by our guides.
Mozambique & Swaziland Trips
Apart from the easy access to the Kruger National Park, Needles Lodge is also ideally situated for day trips to Mozambique and Swaziland. It is also a perfect stopover for travellers leaving these countries for either shopping trips or continued holidays.
Maputo, the Mozambique capital, is also a wonderful experience. Visit the various craft markets and tour the city with its wonderful architecture and history. A trip to Maputo would not be complete without enjoying the finest of Portuguese cuisine that specializes in some of the freshest sea-food and traditional fair on the Costa Dol Sol beachfront.
Swaziland is also just an hour away and this day trip offers a different experience but equally enjoyable. Visit traditional cultural villages, see bushman paintings, visit art and craft centres, and view the beauty of one of Africa's last remaining Kingdoms.
Escorted tours to both Maputo and Swaziland can be arranged on request.
Optional Guided Activities Just ask and we will plan it for you.
Kruger Park Game Drives
With the assistance of lodge management, full day safaris as well as night drives can be arranged and booked into the Kruger National Park. Nature trails and bush walks are also available. These are all conducted by qualified Park Rangers who escort all guests on these activities.
Day Drives
Enjoy a full or half- day safari with a qualified ranger in an open vehicle or an air-conditioned vehicle on special request
Leave Needles at 05h00 in the summer and 05h30 in the winter months. See the first game on the plains with the African sunrise. Perhaps be one of the lucky few and experience predators on the hunt. At approximately 10h00 stop and have a delicious cooked breakfast at a water hole while admiring mighty herds of buffalo, elephant and other game that come to quench their thirst. Spend the whole day discovering the "Big 5" and learning about the wonders of nature in its true form.
The game drives concentrate on the southern region of the Kruger National Park which is internationally recognised as the best game viewing area for the big 5. Visit Skakuza or Lower Sabie the main camps where curio shops are situated. Return to the Lodge at approximately 17h30.
Night Drives
Leave the lodge at +/- 16h00 and drive with a professional guide in the Kruger Park at night to spot the nocturnal animals of Africa. Get a chance of seeing many owl species, genets and other elusive animals that only wonder out after dark. Return to the lodge +/- 21h00 where dinner will be kept warm for your return. These drives are only undertaken by South African National Parks and will be reserved and arranged for you by Needles management.
Golf
Golf can be arranged at the Malelane Country Club, Komatipoort Golf Club, both within a 30-minute drive from Needles Lodge. Guests also have access to a number of golf courses in and around the town of Nelspruit.
Fishing
A new and exciting activity in the area is tiger fishing. By prior arrangement with management, half day or full day fishing trips can be organised at the Tiger Fish "hot spot" - The Komati River is only 30 minutes drive away. For the deep sea fishing enthusiast, full day fishing charters can also be arranged out of Maputo, Mozambique. Visas and picnic baskets can be arranged by management at the lodge.
Panorama Tour
Leave Needles Lodge at 7h00. Visit Longtom Camp. Enjoy breakfast in Sabie at 9h00.
Visit:
Lone Creek Falls.
Mac Mac Falls.
Pilgrim's Rest.
Blyde River Canyon and 3 Rondawels.
Bourke's Luck Potholes.
God's Window.
Enjoy a light lunch at Harry's Pancakes in Graskop. Back at the Lodge at 17h30.
Swaziland Day Tour
Breakfast at Needles Lodge. Leave at 07h30. Enter Swaziland at Matsamo Border Post.
Swaziland is a beautiful country with an amazing atmosphere and local culture. Visit the cultural village at the Matsamo border post and experience the cultural traditions and tribal dancing. Visit Ngwenya glass factory where locals produce wonderful crafts from recycled glass. At the craft markets you can barter for carvings and other African curios. After lunch we drive to Swazi Candles, a factory where you can observe candles of all shapes and sizes being made by locals - this factory is internationally recognised along with the Coral Stevens tapestry factory where mohair products are produced for export the world over.
Visit:
Ngwenya Glass Factory.
Manenga Tapestry.
Swazi Candles and enjoy light lunch.
Local Markets.
Exit Swaziland at Matsamo Border Post. Back at Lodge at 17h30.
Maputo Day Tour
Breakfast at Needles Lodge. Leave Lodge at 08h00. Back at Lodge at 17h30.
Visit the capital of Mozambique and enjoy a day in the city viewing the Portuguese architecture of the Colonial days - visit the Maputo station designed by Gustaf Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower), the waterfront and harbour. Craft markets are abundant, the local Mozambicans use exotic hard woods for different types of carvings and curios, batiks and other fabrics are also available at the markets. Lunch is normally eaten at the Costa do Sol restaurant, a traditional Portuguese sea-food restaurant overlooking the sea, which has become a landmark in Maputo. Enjoy wonderful sea-food dishes and a lively atmosphere all served up at amazingly low prices.
Additional Tours more information on request.
Hiking trails in the Kruger Park on foot with an armed ranger and an opportunity to get up close and personal with the Big 5.
Hot- Air Balloon trips.
Quad bike trails.
Horse Riding in the bush with a guide.
Micro- lite flights.
Needles Lodge is a 4 star luxury lodge bordering the Kruger National Park, one of the worlds largest game reserves. We offer six beautifully appointed suites, each with its own character and atmosphere and all the luxuries to ensure a comfortable stay in the bush.
Every room enjoys air-conditioning and is equipped with ceiling fan; bathroom is en-suite offering an extra- large bath as well as a separate shower. Guest amenities, coffee and tea are complimentary and all rooms are equipped with a hair dryer.
The dcor has been tastefully chosen to ensure that you feel completely relaxed with all the comforts of home.
With the lounge, dining and entertainment area located in the centre of the lodge, the rooms stretch out on either side and are joined by wooden decks that converge on the central deck and patio. Each room has large sliding doors that open out onto a wooden deck and the bush directly before it. From your bed, you can enjoy views out into the bush and the numerous animals that are regular visitors to the lodge.
Children are welcome, and can be accommodated in their own room or share with parents.
From Johannesburg:
Drive on the N4 highway towards the town of Nelspruit.
As you are entering Nelspruit, follow the signage through the town towards Malelane and the Mozambique border.
As you pass through the center of Malelane, continue on the N4 road for about 29km and then turn LEFT at the clearly marked sign for Marloth Park.
Continue on the dirt road for about 5km until you come to the entrance to Marloth Park.
On entering Marloth Park and passing through the gates, travel for another 1,5km and turn right into Soetdoring Ave and following this dirt road for another 300m before veering off to your left into Bush Pig Ave.
Finally, follow Bush Pig Ave for another 200m and you will arrive at Needles on the right hand side of the road.
By air:
For travelers who choose to fly into Johannesburg International Airport, you can connect on a domestic flight to the new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA), where on arrival the lodge can arrange to pick you up.
Car hire is available through most reputable car rentals located at the airport.
