Molori Mashuma is an exclusive luxury safari lodge nestled in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, offering travelers an unforgettable experience of untamed wilderness, breathtaking landscapes, and intimate wildlife encounters. Perfect for those seeking both adventure and comfort, Molori Mashuma promises a safari escape like no other.
By Abdur Rehman
Getting to Molori Mashuma: A Journey Into Mana Pools
Molori Mashuma sits within a private concession bordering Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for thrilling walking safaris and vast open spaces.
If you’re coming from Tembo Plains, it’s roughly a three-hour drive. Alternatively, most travelers arrive via Harare, followed by a 90-minute charter flight to the local airstrip, or from Victoria Falls with a slightly longer 2.5-hour flight. From the airstrip, it’s about a half-hour drive to camp—though chances are high you’ll be waylaid by wildlife sightings before you ever check in.
The Setting: Molori Mashuma’s Private Concession in Mana Pools
Molori Mashuma Zimbabwe has secured a prime slice of Mana Pools territory. It overlooks Mashuma Pan—a peaceful waterhole framed by bushveld, with elephants frequently wandering right into camp.
The setting is serene…until a jackalberry tree decides to drop fruit on your head from sniper-like heights. Still, few places in Africa offer the same raw sense of space and proximity to wildlife.
Unlike other areas inside the national park, Molori’s concession allows private dinners and activities without strict park curfews, giving it an edge in exclusivity.
Molori Mashuma Camp Design: Striking but Sparse
Stepping into the lodge’s main area, you’re greeted by an expansive, open-plan space. High ceilings and panoramic views of the water instantly impress. But spend a few minutes here, and the design starts to feel more “unfinished concept” than truly luxurious.
Bright pops of turquoise and eclectic furnishings attempt to inject personality, yet the overall aesthetic comes off a bit sparse and exposed. There’s plenty of seating—near the bar, the pool, and closer to the water—but privacy is minimal. With only six rooms, overcrowding might not be an issue, but the lodge’s layout lacks intimate nooks you’d expect at this price point.
Rooms at Molori Mashuma: Comfort with Odd Choices
There are six tents at Molori Mashuma—four one-bedroom suites and two two-bedroom options. They’re well-spaced, though some placements seem odd. Room #1 sits almost on top of the main lodge, while Room #4 faces directly into communal areas, reducing the sense of seclusion.
Inside, rooms follow the lodge’s colorful theme but sometimes feel pieced together. The highlight, however, is undeniable: air conditioning—a rare blessing in the bush. There’s also a fan, plus bedside mini fans for extra cooling.
Room layouts are open-plan, featuring large glass fronts overlooking Mashuma Pan. It’s beautiful—but the bathroom setup feels quirky, with a bath tub beside the bed and an odd mirror placement. Outside, private decks come with loungers and views where elephants might stroll past—a genuinely magical touch.
Molori Mashuma Service: Friendly But Rough Around the Edges
The team at Molori Mashuma Zimbabwe, is enthusiastic, but it’s clear this lodge is still finding its feet. From staff who seem new to basic hospitality rituals to small oversights like fingerprints on glassware, the lodge sometimes feels more experimental than polished.
A nice modern touch is the lodge’s use of WhatsApp for guest communication—a convenience many luxury camps haven’t embraced yet. Still, during my stay, there were hiccups, like delays at the airstrip and miscommunications about meal preferences.
Dining at Molori Mashuma: A Mixed Bag
Molori Mashuma review verdict on food: it’s inconsistent. Some meals shine—like dinner spreads featuring excellent meats, sauces, and salads—but others miss the mark. Lunch arrived all at once, including dessert, which attracted swarms of flies. Afternoon tea offered tasty pastries one day, underwhelming canapés the next.
The chef is skilled, and the open kitchen concept by the pool is fun. Yet the lodge needs more finesse in presentation and detail to match its premium pricing.
Molori Mashuma Safari Activities: World-Class Wildlife Experiences
Despite its shortcomings, Molori Mashuma delivers unforgettable Mana Pools safari moments. My guide, Liberty, was passionate and eager, leading me on exhilarating walks tracking wild dogs and lions on foot—activities Mana Pools is famed for.
The highlight was an hour spent sitting mere meters from a pack of wild dogs, undisturbed and alone in the bush—a level of intimacy almost impossible in more crowded safari destinations like the Mara or Kruger.
Molori also offers the flexibility to dine privately in the bush, adding extra magic to the safari experience.
Molori Mashuma Pros and Cons
The Good
✅ Stunning Mana Pools location
✅ Air-conditioned rooms (a rarity)
✅ Fantastic wildlife sightings
✅ Private concession for flexible experiences
The Bad
❌ Service still inexperienced
❌ Design feels sparse and unfinished
❌ Food quality inconsistent
❌ High price point for the current standard
Final Verdict: Should You Book Molori Mashuma?
Molori Mashuma is bold, brave, and full of potential. But it’s not quite there yet. The lodge occupies one of the best locations in Mana Pools and offers wildlife experiences that are pure safari gold. Yet the property lacks the polish and attention to detail that justifies its luxury price tag.
If you’re willing to pay for the location and don’t mind a few operational hiccups, Molori Mashuma Zimbabwe will reward you with extraordinary wildlife encounters and genuine adventure. But for now, it’s a lodge best suited to travelers who prioritize setting over flawless service or refined aesthetics.
