Frequently Asked Questions

Yes — warthogs, giraffe, zebra, kudu, wildebeest, monkeys, mongoose, and impala often wander through the grounds during the day. But bear in mind we are not in a zoo and the animals roam free, and thus may or may not visit continually. 

Yes. We regularly host first-time safari guests and handle all logistics, including safari planning, timing, and guidance on what to expect.

Children aged 6 and older are welcome.

We recommend a minimum of 3 nights. This allows time to relax, enjoy at least two safari activities, and not feel rushed. 4–5 nights is ideal for first-time visitors.

Yes, we organise Kruger safaris for our guests. You don’t need to arrange anything separately unless you want to.

Yes, we strongly recommend booking safaris in advance, especially in busy periods, to secure availability and park entry slots.

Yes. We can assist with arranging transfers from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) or shuttle drop-off points like City-Bug in Mbombela (Nelspruit). This must be booked in advance so timings work smoothly.

Kruger offers excellent wildlife viewing, but sightings are never guaranteed. Every drive is different — that’s part of the safari experience.

We offer full-day and half-day game drives, Sunrise Drives, Sunset Drives, as well as guided early-morning bush walks in Kruger National Park.

Neutral-coloured clothing, a hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, and a light jacket for early mornings. Binoculars are a bonus.

Safaris are typically shared with other lodge guests. Private drives can be arranged on request, subject to availability.

Safaris depart directly from the lodge or from a nearby Kruger gate, depending on the activity. We handle all the logistics.

No. A normal sedan is perfectly fine. Roads to the lodge are accessible year-round.

Needles Lodge is conveniently located between Crocodile Bridge Gate and Malelane Gate, both approximately 25 minutes’ drive from the lodge. We use both gates for safari departures, allowing guests to explore different landscapes / game viewing of Kruger National Park.

No. Marloth Park is not inside Kruger National Park.
Marloth Park is a wildlife conservation area bordering Kruger National Park along approximately 19 kilometres of the Crocodile River. It allows guests to stay just outside the park while enjoying easy access to Kruger through nearby gates.

Walking is allowed in designated areas of Marloth Park during daylight hours only. Wildlife moves freely through the area, and leopard are regular visitors, with lions occasionally present. For safety reasons, guests should not walk after dark and should always remain aware of their surroundings.

Mosquitoes are present, particularly in the warmer summer months. Needles Lodge is located on slightly elevated ground and often benefits from a natural breeze, which helps reduce mosquito activity. Marloth Park is considered a low-risk malaria area, but we recommend guests consult a travel clinic or medical professional for current advice and appropriate precautions.

Yes — complimentary Wi-Fi is available for guests across the lodge, including rooms, pool and lounge areas.

Yes. We regularly cater for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and lactose-free diets. Please advise us of any dietary requirements or allergies before arrival so we can accommodate them properly.

Breakfast is served each morning from 07h00, if you are leaving early we will provide a packed breakfast.  Dinner is a three-course service dinner and is served on the deck in the evenings from 19h00/19h30. 

Check-in is from 14h00 to 19h00 and Check-out is at 10h30

Yes. Needles Lodge is Fair Trade Tourism certified.

Fair Trade Tourism certification independently assesses tourism businesses across environmental, social and economic areas, including fair working conditions, responsible business practices, community benefits and environmental management.

For us, certification is not simply a logo. It provides an independent framework against which our responsible tourism practices are assessed and helps us identify areas where we can continue to improve.

What does sustainability mean at Needles Lodge?
For us, responsible tourism is about practical actions rather than simply calling ourselves “green” or “eco-friendly”.

We focus on using energy and water more efficiently, reducing unnecessary waste, purchasing responsibly, providing good employment opportunities, supporting our local community and operating in a way that respects the wildlife and natural environment around us.

We regard sustainability as an ongoing process and continue to look for practical ways to improve how the lodge operates.

What is Needles Lodge doing to reduce energy use?
We have progressively introduced energy-saving measures throughout the lodge, including converting more than 80% of our lighting to LED and installing energy-efficient heat-pump water heating.

We are also investing substantially in solar electricity generation and battery storage to reduce our reliance on grid electricity.

As our renewable-energy system develops, we will continue to measure our electricity use and look for further opportunities to reduce consumption.

How does Needles Lodge conserve water?
Water is a precious resource in the Lowveld, so reducing unnecessary water consumption is an important part of how we operate.

Measures at the lodge include low-flow shower heads, tap aerators and dual-flush toilets, together with operational practices designed to reduce unnecessary water use.

Our aim is to conserve water while still providing the level of comfort our guests expect from Needles Lodge.

How does Needles Lodge support local people and communities?
Our social contribution begins with the people who work at the lodge.

We provide permanent local employment, invest in staff development and training, and purchase from local and South African suppliers wherever practical.

Needles Lodge also contributes R2,000 each month to Givers of Hope SA, supporting its work in the local community.

We prefer to describe these practical actions rather than make broad claims about “empowering communities”.

How does Needles Lodge protect wildlife and the natural environment?
Needles Lodge is situated in Marloth Park, where wildlife moves freely through the area and animals such as zebra, kudu, impala, warthog and giraffe regularly visit the lodge.

We therefore have a particular responsibility to operate with respect for the animals and their environment.

We encourage guests not to interfere with wildlife, to dispose of waste responsibly and to follow the conservation rules applicable in Marloth Park and the Kruger National Park.

We also encourage responsible wildlife-viewing practices on the safari activities arranged through the lodge.

What can guests do to help?
Small actions make a difference.

Guests can help us by using water and electricity thoughtfully, avoiding unnecessary waste, respecting wildlife and never feeding or interfering with wild animals.

When visiting the Kruger National Park and Marloth Park, we also ask guests to follow local conservation rules and the guidance of their guides.

Most importantly, we want guests to enjoy their stay. Responsible tourism should enhance the experience of visiting this extraordinary part of South Africa, not make travelling feel like an environmental lecture.

Is Needles Lodge completely sustainable or carbon neutral?
No — and we don't believe it would be credible to make that claim.

Like any accommodation business, Needles Lodge uses electricity, water, food, transport and other resources and therefore has an environmental footprint.

Our objective is to measure, manage and progressively reduce that impact, while increasing the positive economic and social benefits created by tourism.

We believe being transparent about what we are doing — and what we still need to improve — is more meaningful than simply describing ourselves as a “sustainable lodge”.