Needles Lodge

Needles Lodge Hotel / Lodge accommodation in Malelane Mpumalanga

Description

Needles Lodge is a warm and welcoming family run lodge in the heart of Marloth Park, a private residential nature reserve bordering the Kruger National Park between the Malelane and Crocodile Bridge entrances to the Park.

Location

Needles Lodge is situated in Marloth Park, a private residential game reserve about a 4,5 hour drive from Johannesburg, on the south eastern border of the Kruger National Park, in Mpumalanga.

Marloth Park is just off the N4 freeway between the towns of Malelane, about 30km or 20 minutes drive away, and Komatipoort, just 20km or 15 minutes drive. There are 2 entrances to the Kruger National Park within a 40 minute drive, namely, the Malelane Gate or the Crocodile Bridge Gate. Directions are available from the Lodge, so please just ask Gary.

 The central lounge and entertainment area at Needles Lodge extends out onto a large outside deck surrounding the trunk of a giant Marula tree. Under the shade of the giant Marula, guests can relax with views of the bush or simply drop into the swimming pool located adjacent to the outside entertainment deck.

Accommodation

Needles Lodge is a luxury lodge located near the Kruger National Park that offers six beautifully appointed bedrooms, each with its own character and atmosphere and all the luxuries to ensure a comfortable stay out in the bush.

Every room enjoys air-conditioning and is equipped with ceiling fans; bathrooms are en-suite offering extra large baths as well as separate showers.

The décor has been tastefully chosen to ensure that you feel completely relaxed and with all the comforts of home.

With the lounge, dining and entertainment area located in the center 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 game that regularly frequents the area.

Children are allowed, and can be accommodated in their own room.

Attractions

Due to the ideal location of Needles Lodge and Marloth Park, there are a host of tourist attractions and interesting places to visit and things to do for the whole family. Needles Lodge can provide information and assistance on any of the following activities and tours.

The other option is to simply relax by the pool. Enjoy the African sun and bush, and let the our staff spoil you while resident animals such, as kudu, impala, wildebeest, zebra, giraffe and warthog meander around the deck and pool area, grazing and magically adding to the peace and tranquility of a wonderful bush experience.

All tours can be tailor made to suit your needs special rates are available for groups of 4 or more.

"Self Drive Safaris", Organized Game Drives & Nature Walks

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.

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.

Mozambique & Swaziland Trips

Apart from the easy access to the Kruger, 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 seafood 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, bushman paintings, art and craft centers, and view the beauty of one of Africa's last remaining Kingdoms.

Escorted tours to both Maputo and Swaziland can be arranged on request.

Cultural Visits to Local Craft Markets

Golf

Golf can be arranged at the Malelane Country Club, Komatipoort Golf Club, both within a 30minute drive from Needles Lodge. Guests also have access to a number of 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, day trips into Mozambique can be organized as the Tiger Fish "hot spot" - The Komati River is only an hours drive away. For the more serious fisherman, full day fishing charters can also be arranged out of Maputo. Visas and picnic baskets can be arranged by management at the lodge.

Birdlife

Books are available. Over 300 bird species have been recorded in Marloth Park.

Panorama Tour

Leave Lodge at 7h00. Visit Longtom Camp. Enjoy breakfast in Sabie at 9h00.

Visit:

• Lone Creek Falls.

• Mac Mac Falls.

• Pilgrims Rest.

• Blyde River Canyon and 3 Rondawels.

• Bourkes Luck Potholes.

• God's Window.

Enjoy a light lunch at Harry's Pancakes in Graskop. Back at the Lodge at 17h30.

Kruger Park Day Tour

Enter early when gates open at Crocodile Bridge. Have breakfast at Lower Sabie / Skukuza Camp. Spend whole day looking for the "Big 5". Back at Lodge at 17h30.

Enjoy a full or half day safari with a qualified ranger in a 4x4 with aircon. The game drives concentrate on the southern region of the Park which is internationally recognised as the best game viewing area for the big 5. Visit Skakuza the main camp where the museum and curio shops are situated. Prices include entry fees and breakfast at one of the rest camps.

Swaziland Day Tour

Breakfast at Lodge. Leave Lodge at 7h30. Enter Swaziland at Matsamo Border Post.

A beautiful country with an amazing atmosphere and local culture. Visit the cultural village at the Matsamo border post and experience the culture traditions and tribal dancing. Visit Ngwenya glass factory where locals produce wonderful objects from recycled glass. At the craft markets you can barter for carvings and other African curios. After lunch we drive to Swazi Candles 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 Lodge. Leave Lodge at 8h00. Back at Lodge at 17h30.

Visit the capitol 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 harbor. 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 seafood restaurant overlooking the sea, which has become a landmark in Maputo. Enjoy wonderful seafood dishes and a vibey atmosphere all served up at amazingly low prices.

Organised Day Trips

Day safaris into the Kruger Park, Swaziland, Maputo and Panoramic route with a professional guide are available by prior booking. Our guides are highly qualified, informative and fun to be with. These safaris are available in an air-conditioned 4x4 or an open game drive vehicle. The rate includes the park entrance fee and a light breakfast. Soft drinks and mineral water are provided in the vehicle.

Additional Tours

• 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.

• Night drives into the Kruger Park with park rangers in an open air 4x4 give you the chance to view nocturnal life in the bush.

• Hot Air Balloon trips.

• Quad bike trails.

• Micro lite flights.

Accolades

	:Tourism Council of SA Star Grading
	:Portfolio benchmarked:

TGCSA Star Grading

Facilities

• All rooms are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans.Bathrooms en-suite with oversized bath and separate standing showers.Central living and entertainment area.Full stocked honor bar.Outside entertainment deck and swimming pool.A full, hearty breakfast is served daily and lunch and dinner are arranged to your preference with prior notice.Picnic hampers can be arranged on request.TV with DSTV satellite, including a choice of sports channels, Discovery Channel, CNN, Sky and BBC.Extensive library of magazines, books, historic and safari coffee table books.Internet and email access.Fax and telephone facilities.Same day laundry services.

• Hair dryers on request.Selection of music CD's, DVD's and games.A wide variety of other leisure activities can be arranged.

The central living and dining area offers old country style, luxury 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 - all are available to guests on request.

Other services and facilities available at the lodge include an honor bar, fax, telephone and Internet/email access.

A full laundry service is also available. Laundry service plus hair dryers are available at reception.

Dining

South Africa is most famous for its enjoyment of fine food and wine. In particular, Mpumalanga has got access to the freshest of seafood that is caught in neighboring Mozambique which is well known for its prawns, crayfish, clams and freshly caught line fish. Mpumalanga is also famous for its beef so you will also savour some of the best "braais" and roasts in the country.

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 offers a wide selection of some of the Capes best wines. The honor bar is available for guests to choose from a full selection of beers, spirits and soft drinks.

Breakfast and dinner is served daily but guests may also enjoy lunch (prepared and served with prior notice) either in the open plan kitchen and dining room or alternatively, outside on the deck under the shade of the giant Marula tree.

Directions