Needles Lodge Hot

Needles Lodge is located within Marloth Park, on the edge of Kruger Park, Mpumalanga, and being only 10 km from the South African/Mozambican border means just a 1h30-2h transfer from Maputo, 4 hour from Johannesburg or a short flight. The Kruger Park gate is at only 10 km by gravelled road.

Inside Marloth Park houses are not fenced and game moves freely, it’s very easy to approach them on foot. There’s an enclosure with lions, rhinos, buffalos and even simple walks along the Crocodile river, which borders with Kruger may offer, sometimes, the opportunity of spotting the “Big Five”.

There are around 12 small lodges inside Marloth Park. We do offer different styles of accommodations in different lodges, but mainly Needles Lodge.

Needles Lodge is a warm and friendly family lodge, the decor has been carefully chosen to ensure that you are totally relaxed in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere with nothing but the sights and sounds of the bush, and numerous guest appearances from resident kudu, zebra, giraffe, warthog, wildebeest and impala to remind you exactly where you are…Africa.

Needles has six beautifully yet simply decorated rooms, each with its own character, its own atmosphere, all in a luxurious bush setting. Each room has double or twin beds, air conditioning as well as a ceiling fan and the en suite bathrooms have bathtubs and separate showers. Large sliding doors that open out onto a wooden deck with the bush directly before it. From your bed, you can enjoy and the numerous game that regularly frequents the area.

The central living and dining area has a large living room with couches and chairs, the lodge provides cable TV, an extensive library of magazines, novels, historic and safari coffee table books and games, CDs, and DVDs. Outside there is another communal area with a large wooden deck surrounding the trunk of a giant Marula tree, here you can sit and relax enjoying the views and the sounds of the bush, or take a dip in the outdoor pool.

Other facilities available at the lodge include an honesty bar, fax, telephone, internet/email access and a laundry service, if needed you can even get a hairdryer.

From Mozambique transfer is by road from Maputo and takes up to 2 hours, from Johannesburg a shuttle service is available and takes around 4 hours, you can also fly from Johannesburg or Durban to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport with a shorter road transfer.

South Africa is most famed for its enjoyment of fine food and wine. The area of Mpumalanga has access to the some of the freshest seafood caught in neighbouring Mozambique such as prawns, crayfish, clams and freshly caught line fish. The area is also famous for its beef so you will also savour some of the best "braais" and roasts in the country.

The Needles owner, Gary, will be happy to cater to your specific weaknesses so be sure to place your order in advance for some of the most excellent seafood and meat dishes, a fond lover of wine, Gary also has a wide selection of some of the Capes best wines. The honesty bar is available for all guests to choose from a full selection of beers, spirits and soft drinks.

Dinner is served daily and you can also enjoy lunch or breakfast if not taking a game drive (prepared and served with prior notice) either in the open plan dining room or alternatively, outside on the deck under the shade of the giant Marula tree.

Just in case the “Big 5” aren’t enough for you a selection of tours are available if you’re not taking a game drive such as a Swaziland Day Tour, Maputo Day Tour, Fishing, Golf and cultural visits to local craft markets, please ask for further details and prices.

The game drives in Kruger Park are on a full day basis in an open 4x4 vehicle with an English speaking professional guide.

Breakfast and lunch will be taken at Kruger Park camp.

A full day’s Game Drive itinerary is roughly as follows:

05:15 : Coffee/tea with biscuits

05:30 : Departure for Kruger Park

08:00 : Breakfast in the Kruger Park followed by 1st game drive

13:00 : Lunch followed by 2nd game drive

18:00 : Back to the lodge….. and relax.