Needles Lodge

✨ A Heartfelt Stay Filled With Warm Hospitality & Unforgettable Experiences ✨ From May 3rd to 13th, 2025, I had the pleasure of staying at Needles Lodge while attending a Safari & Yoga Retreat hosted by Soul Sanctuary Safaris. This lovely little establishment is located in the quaint area of Marloth Park, a sizable wildlife estate neighboring Kruger National Park. There were several aspects of Needles Lodge that truly made it stand out. The rooms were comfortable, cozy, and had everything you could need. They were enclosed with traditional African thatch roofing, and the king-sized bed was incredibly comfortable. Each room was well-equipped with a fridge and a kettle for making coffee or tea. In addition to the shower, there was a lovely oval-shaped bath, perfect for relaxing after our active days in Kruger and beyond. The rooms overlooked the back of the property and were located on either side of the main lodge building. From the comfort of your room or out on the expansive deck, you can witness resident game such as giraffe, kudu, nyala, zebra, warthog, banded mongoose, and a variety of bird species. The deck also served as the perfect location for the yoga and meditation sessions during the retreat. While the aesthetics were wonderful, the true highlight of Needles Lodge was the incredible staff and service. Despite being a boutique, intimate B&B in terms of size, price, and offerings, the team delivers top-class service that goes above and beyond what you'd typically expect from such a place. Owners Dennis and Gail are very hands-on with their business, and it was a pleasure getting to know them, along with the front-of-house staff, Lynne and Philip. They went above and beyond to ensure that our stay during the retreat exceeded expectations. Beyond the owners and front-of-house staff, the team of ladies at Needles Lodge truly made the experience unforgettable. Their warmth, energy, and vibrant personalities brightened every interaction. From their beautiful singing in the kitchen to their laughter and constant cheerfulness, their positive energy left a lasting impression on my heart and spirit. One standout feature worth mentioning is the cuisine. It was absolutely out of this world!!! During the retreat, we enjoyed a different menu each day, tailored specifically for our group. The variety, quality, and flavors were incredible. From freshly baked breads to meats cooked in various ways, delicious desserts, and vegetarian dishes for lunch, we went on a culinary journey through South Africa and beyond. Every meal was hearty, nourishing, and made with love. Another special feature of the lodge is the resident game in Marloth Park, which is quite habituated. You can safely feed pellets to the antelopes, who will approach the back deck for a visit. The lodge also has a small home built for a resident bushbaby family, so a nightly treat is watching the lesser bush babies come out at dusk to begin their routine in the wilderness. Our fantastic Kruger activities were provided by Southern Kruger Safaris (see my review for details about my experiences with them on their respective profile). The sunset safaris and guided bush walks were arranged directly with the Kruger Park Rangers. If you're looking for a warm, homely, and inviting establishment with top-notch service and excellent proximity to the Southern section of Kruger National Park, this is the place for you. You’ll be welcomed and looked after by an incredible team dedicated to ensuring your visit to this part of South Africa is life-changing.

The lodge is peaceful, very intimate, and surrounded by nature, with wildlife often visible right from the deck. It’s a great spot to unwind and feel close to the bush without sacrificing comfort. The staff were friendly, and the lodge had a relaxed, welcoming feel. Rooms were clean and comfortable, and the food was tasty and generous. We came to Kruger with high expectations, having already experienced several game drives in Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana. Unfortunately, our safari outing with a guide named Doctor (booked through Needles) didn’t live up to those standards - his lack of engagement and warmth made the experience less enjoyable than we’d hoped. That said, our time at the lodge itself was pleasant, and we’d consider returning, just with a different safari guide next time.

Had the most amazing 10 days at the lodge. The rooms are fabulous, the food is amazing you will not go hungry. Denis and all the staff are so friendly and Toby the chef is 1 in a million. Easy access to Kruger which is about a 25min drive. Highly recommend it!!

We visited Kruger National Park in June 2025 and had a wonderful stay at Needles Lodge. The warm and thoughtful hospitality by Denis, Lyn, Philip and team made our stay feel like a home away from home. The lodge itself is cosy and beautiful, and we especially enjoyed seeing zebra, kudu and mongoose right outside our room! The lodge is only a 30-minute drive from the Crocodile Bridge Gate into Kruger, and we enjoyed the two game drives arranged by Needles and led by Jaco and Glen. Highly recommended and we definitely hope to be back!

This is our second time to Needles Lodge and as usual we LOVED our stay here. It is an intimate lodge that is beautifully furnished, has incredible hosts, and the food is delicious. Denis, Lynn and the team go out of their way to make their guests feel welcome. It is fabulous to see the zebra and kudu roaming around freely and the little bush babies coming out of their home at night. We will be back!

Animals walking right next to you is really cool, the food was good and the staff is dedicated. A really special experience

This is our very first Safari trip and I am so glad I chose to go with Needles Lodge. From my first inquiry about the stay to our very last farewell email, there was nothing short of warmth, hospitality and professionalism from Gayle, Denis and their team including Lyn and Phillip. I made a few requests for our itinerary to fit a 9yo and they accommodated us. The lodge is small but beautiful and fits right in with its surroundings/ the bush. Kutu packs came to visit every evening and the resident bush babies are adorable. The bed was comfortable and the room was just perfect for us with huge tub and window to view wildlife outside. The opened air lobby and dining areas are beautiful. The food…..I looked forward to every meal at the lodge. The chef is just so talented. To be honest, the food this good in a remote area was the last thing i expected. They truly made the best food with available ingredients coming from different coasts and regions. To complement the excellent food was a huge selection of wine onsite and the hosts do know their wine. Communal dining was enjoyable meeting and socializing with hosts and other guests. Gayle was so kind asking my picky eating son what his favorite food was and asked the chef to make fresh gourmet mac n cheese for him next day. Thank you, Gayle. The game drives were quite amazing and we lucked out with our driver who was such a wealth of knowledge with passion for the animals and the land. The drive can be long for children but my kid was doing alright. The morning and nights were cold since it was winter and the road can be dusty. But we saw all big 5 on our first day and a long list of beautiful birds that our driver could name every single one and explained further. He even pointed out a snake. We opted out the Sunset drive with jet lag and exhaustion catching up on our 5 week long trip. The second drive was equally amazing with multiple sightings of white rhinos. We also borrowed bikes and rode to the river to see some kind of birds on the river bank. It was a nice ride. Overall, it was a great trip and if I had time, I’d join other tours to surrounding countries too. Highly recommend.

We absolutely loved our stay at Needles Lodge – everything about this place is magical! It’s just minutes from the entrance to Kruger National Park, yet there’s already so much wildlife around the lodge itself – kudus, zebras, and warthogs casually wandering by at sunset to greet the guests. The rooms are spotless and equipped with every comfort you could need, but what truly sets Needles apart is the atmosphere and the food. Lynn, Denis, and Philip go out of their way to connect with every guest. The communal dinner is a brilliant idea – it brings together travelers from all over the world to share stories, tips, and even game sightings. As a vegan, I felt especially cared for – I had let them know in advance, and they prepared the most delicious meals for me. I truly felt at home here and will definitely return next time I’m in the south of Kruger!