Needles Safari Lodge becomes Fair Trade Tourism Certified!
Needles Safari Lodge has officially achieved Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certification, joining a
network of tourism businesses across Africa committed to making a positive difference for
the communities and environments in which they operate.
“As a proud South African business, we are committed to ensuring that every guest
experience contributes to the long-term well-being of our region,” says Denis Goffinet, owner
at Needles Safari Lodge, which is nestled in the Marloth Park conservancy on the southern
boundary of Kruger National Park.
The lodge offers eight rooms, each with windows and a wooden deck overlooking the bush,
where guests can watch wildlife such as warthogs, giraffe, zebra, kudu, wildebeest and
impala move freely through the property. Daily game drives are also available. For dinner,
guests gather around a communal table and indulge in meals made fresh from
locally-sourced ingredients.
The road to responsibility
To achieve certification, the third-party auditor evaluated Needles Lodge against more than
180 criteria across the FTT principles (Fair Share, Fair Say, Respect, Reliability,
Transparency, and Sustainability), through a process that included on-site staff and guest
interviews, document reviews, and field inspections.
“The process has been a valuable journey for our team,” shares Denis. “It gave us the
opportunity to reflect on how we operate, formalise what we already do, and identify areas
where we can improve. Most importantly, the certification process reinforced our commitment
to looking after our staff, supporting our local community, and operating responsibly in a
sensitive natural environment.”
Taking care of the community
In addition to providing a peaceful place for guests to break away from their busy lives,
Needles Lodge’s commitment to responsible tourism also includes ensuring fair and safe
working conditions, supporting staff development, and investing in local community
initiatives.
The lodge is a member of The Code, upholding a strict zero-tolerance policy towards the
sexual exploitation of children in tourism. This includes training staff to recognise and report
risks, and creating safe spaces for children – through monthly financial and other donations
to the Komati Care Centre, which helps the homeless and unsupervised children of Orlando.
And, in addition to sourcing from local suppliers, the lodge implements energy efficiency,
waste management and water conservation.
A continuous commitment to credibility
FTT Certification is an ongoing commitment, with full re‐audits every three years to ensure
continual alignment with the FTT Standard’s evolving benchmarks. “We invite accountability
and open dialogue as part of our journey towards responsible tourism,” Denis concludes.
By choosing an FTT-certified member, guests help grow local economies, protect fragile
ecosystems, and educate future generations.
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