Needles Lodge

It felt like home as soon as we arrived Everyone was treated like family Loved the friendly singing staff. - so special The Food was exceptional 5 star plus Lots of food Flexibility on all aspects, meals, bar opening time etc Thanks so much for looking after us all so well Barbara

What a delight, beautiful food, amazing animals, the most caring staff. Needles Lodge felt like my home away from for a glorious 10 days of meditation, yoga and safari. Pumi, Tabi and Talabi always had a beautiful smile and ensured all our needs were met. The owners Dennis and Gail, take great pride in their premise and were wonderful hosts. Philip and Lynne always made us feel very welcome. I would love to return with my family one day. An amazing place to stay.

Everything was amazing from my room, the food, location, the team, the grounds, wine and drink selection, laundry/housekeeping and attention to detail. This lodge was more than Accomidation it was like staying with friends. I would not stay anywhere else I felt so safe and welcomed. One day I asked if they had beetroot, they didn't but the very next day they got it in for me wow. They want you to be happy. Very happy and will go above And beyond to make sure everything is perfect

You start your stay being introduced to the staff and you leave your stay as if they are family. The staff are so warm, welcoming and friendly and will go out of their way to accommodate your every need. The food was exceptional; you will not go hungry! The wine and drinks selection is second to none. I enjoyed many of the different gins on offer. The facilities were lovely, clean and well kept. The location is ideal. Wild animals such as giraffes, zebras and kudo visited daily and you're just a short drive from Kruger National Park. As my first solo overseas trip and stay I could not have asked for more. I felt safe 100% of the time and was surrounded by warm, friendly staff. Truly an amazing stay and one I hope to return to.

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 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!