About thirty kilometers southwest of Mombasa, the Shimba Hills National Reserve covers 192 km² of forested hills, coastal rainforest and open grasslands. It is home to one of Kenya's highest densities of elephants and remains the only site in the country where you can observe the sable antelope.

Why visit Shimba Hills Reserve

Shimba Hills offers an alternative to the major inland parks for travelers staying on the southern coast. The reserve combines several habitats within a limited area: dense rainforest, grassy savanna, humid valleys and exposed high points. This mosaic concentrates diverse wildlife within short distance of the Swahili coast beaches.

The site is recognized as a globally significant bird conservation area (IBA), with approximately 111 species recorded. The forest is also home to orchids and cycads under threat, remnants of a declining coastal forest cover. The elephant population, estimated at between 300 and 700 individuals depending on surveys, regularly migrates to the Mwaluganje community sanctuary, located to the north and connected to Shimba by a wildlife corridor.

What to see and do

Wildlife of the hills

Elephants remain the flagship species. They move in small family groups between wooded areas and clearings. Sightings are frequent near water sources and along open tracks. Around the grasslands you'll encounter giraffes, zebras, African buffalo and black-and-white colobus monkeys, identifiable by their contrasting fur.

Shimba Hills is the only place in Kenya where you can observe the sable antelope, recognizable by its dark coat and curved horns. Lions, leopards, spotted hyenas and cheetahs frequent the reserve, but encounters with these predators remain rare and require time on the ground.

Bird watching

The diversity of bird life is one of the reserve's strengths. Species to look out for include the crested guineafowl, martial eagle, greater honeyguide, Zanzibar weaver, red-throated francolin and streaked cisticola. Most songbirds frequent the rainforest canopy, while scrubland species are visible along tracks and forest edges.

Sheldrick Falls

Accessible by a marked trail usually traversed with a ranger guide, Sheldrick Falls is named after David Sheldrick, the first director of Tsavo East National Park and a key figure in Kenya's conservation movement. The pool at the base of the waterfall is equipped for swimming: a welcome stop after the approach hike.

Viewpoints and panoramas

Several viewpoints dot the track network. On clear days, you can see the expanses of Tsavo East National Park to the north. To the east, the view sometimes extends to the coastal fringe. Picnic areas are set up near these viewpoints.

Camping in the reserve

Four campsites are scattered throughout the reserve, one offering clear views towards the ocean and another located immediately adjacent to the falls. This experience allows you to extend observation during late afternoon and dawn hours, when wildlife is most active.

When to visit

The climate is warm and humid, with annual rainfall ranging from 855 mm to 1,682 mm depending on altitude. The dry season, from July to October, is the best period: tracks are passable, vegetation is less dense and wildlife viewing is easier. The long rainy season runs from April to June and can make certain areas difficult to access. The first months of the year offer a reasonable compromise between visitor numbers and weather conditions.

Practical information

• Area: 192 km²
• Distance from Mombasa: 33 km
• Status: National reserve managed by KWS, IBA site
• Rates: Entrance fees apply, set by the Kenya Wildlife Service (check current rates, as they may change)
• Accommodation: Four campsites in the reserve and a private lodge
• Equipment: Closed-toe shoes, water, binoculars and light covering clothes

How to get there

From Mombasa, access is via the Likoni ferry, which connects the island to the mainland to the south, then via the A14 highway toward the Tanzanian border. A turnoff leads to Kwale; the reserve's main entrance is located about 3 km north of this town. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours travel time depending on ferry wait and traffic.

By air, two airports serve the area: Moi (Mombasa) and Ukunda, near Diani. From Ukunda, road access is shorter than from Mombasa. Renting a vehicle, ideally a 4x4, is necessary: no public transport serves the reserve.

What to combine nearby

Shimba Hills lends itself well to a circuit combining coast and hinterland. Diani beaches, about thirty kilometers away, naturally extend your visit. Further north, Kilimanjaro remains visible on clear days from certain southeastern Kenya locations. For additional wildlife experiences, consider Hell's Gate National Park or Kakamega Forest Reserve on a longer itinerary. For primates and urban wildlife, the Giraffe Centre in Nairobi remains a classic stop on arrival or departure.

Plan your trip

Shimba Hills fits naturally into an itinerary combining Swahili coast and safaris. To build a tailor-made circuit including this reserve, consult our Kenya journeys.