Shimba hills national reserve is relatively a small national park located in coastal province in Kwale district, the reserve covers an area of 192.51 square kilometers with Mombasa as its nearest town.

Regardless of its small size the park is a home to the last breeding herd of stable antelope in Kenya and large population of elephants recorded to be over 700 individuals, there is also large ebony colored antelopes with their scimitar shaped horns.

Shimba hills national reserve is characterized with rolling hills which are covered by coastal forests, generally the reserve is covered by coastal rainforest, woodland and grasslands.

When it comes to fauna the reserve the reserve is an important area for plant biodiversity with over 50% of the rare plants found in Kenya such as cycad and orchids.

Shimba hills national park was created in 1968 to protect the large population of elephants habiting in the park, the elephants were being poached by humans for ivory thus the formation of the reserve for their conservation.

Shimba hills national park is situated in a distance of 33 kilometers from Mombasa and 15 kilometers from the coast.

Tourist Attractions in Shimba Hills National Reserve

Wildlife

Shimba hills national reserve is a home to many wildlife species which live comfortably in the coastal forests and grassland dotted around the park.

Among the wildlife there are more prominent animals of the reserve that is sable antelope, Masai giraffe, buffalo and elephants with over 700 individuals. other animals found in the reserve include Giraffes, Leopard, Genet, Civet Cat, Hyenas, Waterbuck, Bush Pig, Buffalo, African Bush Baby, Bushbuck, Coastal Black and White Colobus, Blue Duiker, Bush Duiker, Red Duiker, Greater Galago, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, baboons, bushy tailed mongoose, Sykes Monkey, Serval Cat, Black and Red Shrew, Knob-bristled Suni Shrew and many more. Shimba hills national reserve also habits reptiles such as python, cobra, lizard and gecko and insects including mosquitoes, butterflies, beetle and many more.

Birds

Shimba hills national reserve is one of the best bird habitats in Kenya, the reserve is a home to over 230 bird species with 22 coastal endemic species such as Ostrich Eagle, African Hawk; Falcon, Cuckoo; Guinea-fowl, Kenya Crested; Honey guide, Greater, Blue, Sunbird, Uluguru and prominent species like African hawks, Guinea fowls, eagles, falcons and hornbills.

These bird species thrive in the coastal rainforest and grasslands of the reserve, other birds habiting in the park include African palm swift, Brown-breasted barbet, Crowned hornbill, East coast Akalat, Eastern violet-backed sunbird, Fischer’s turaco, Golden palm weaver, Green barbet, Green Tinkerbird, Mottled swift, Narina trogon, Pangani longclaw, Plain-backed sunbird, Red-necked spurfowl, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Sokoke pipit, spotted ground thrush, Trumpeter hornbill, Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, Yellow-throated longclaw and many more.

Sheldrick water falls

Sheldrick waterfalls are a magnificent feature in the park falling at 21 meters, the waterfalls are wrapped by vines and greenery and also have create a natural plunge pool as it flows. Sheldrick falls facilitate 2 kilometrers nature walks from the sheldrick falls ranger post to the park which are loved by many visitors.

View points

Shimba hills national reserve has viewpoints from where you get to enjoy the beauty of the reserve, these viewpoints include

Elephant hill

Elephant hill is the best viewpoint for seeing elephants in Shimba hills national park, from the hill you get lovely views over the valley towards the ocean.

Marere dam

Marere dam is a fascinating view point for birds and animals in the reserve, Marere dam has a watering hole which attracts many animals which live in the reserve.

Safari Activities in Shimba Hills National Reserve

Game viewing

Shimba hills national park is a home to many animals with huge populations of elephants and sable antelopes, the reserve consists of many game drive trails which run through the park.

While driving on these trails you spot many animals such as Civet Cat, Hyenas, Waterbuck, Bush Pig, Buffalo, Masai giraffe, buffalo, elephants, African Bush Baby, Bushbuck, Coastal Black and White Colobus, Blue Duiker, Bush Duiker, Red Duiker, Greater Galago, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, baboons, bushy tailed mongoose, Sykes Monkey, Serval Cat, Black and Red Shrew, Knob-bristled Suni Shrew and many more

Bird watching

Shimba hills national park offers amazing bird watching expedition, the park is a paradise for bird lovers habiting over 200 bird species which are encountered in the park, bird watching in the reserve is a chance for you to see many colorful birds while on your walk in the forests and savannah plains of the park. birds encountered include Brown-breasted barbet, Crowned hornbill, East coast Akalat, Eastern violet-backed sunbird, Fischer’s turaco, Golden palm weaver, Green barbet, Green Tinkerbird, Mottled swift, Narina trogon, Pangani longclaw, Plain-backed sunbird, Red-necked spurfowl, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Sokoke pipit, spotted ground thrush, Trumpeter hornbill, Uluguru violet-backed sunbird, Yellow-throated longclaw and many more.

For a more amazing bird watching experience the perfect time to do the activity is in the period of November to April, in this period there is migratory birds in the reserve.

Guided forest walks and hiking

Guided forest walks in Shimba hills national park is a perfect way of connecting to nature, guided forest walks takes you on a walk in the green forests in the reserve and in the reserve you are welcomed by the cool breeze and sceneries of green trees.

Guided forest walks is an opportunity to spot many forest animals like elephants and birds such as Green Tinkerbird, Mottled swift, Narina trogon, Pangani longclaw, Plain-backed sunbird, Red-necked spurfowl, Silvery-cheeked hornbill, Sokoke pipit, spotted ground thrush, Trumpeter hornbill, Uluguru violet-backed sunbird and many more. Visiting sheldrick water falls while on guided nature walks is a great prize, for hiking experience the reserve has many hiking trails running through the park.

Where to Stay in Shimba Hills National Reserve

As a tourists on a safari in Shimba hills national reserve accommodation is got from many accommodation facilities situated around the reserve, these facilities include Shimba hills green safari lodge, Dani backpackers, Shimba hills lodge, Pinewood Beach Resort and Spa, Kinondo Kwetu, hotel Sonrisa, Simba Oryx beach cottages, Shimba la salama, Villa mandhar Diani beach and many more.

Shimba hills national park offers campsites which can be used by tourists for camping, these include ocean view, makadara picnic sites, sheldrick water falls campsite and professional campsite.

How to get to Shimba hills national reserve

Shimba hills national reserve is located in the coastal province of Kenya with Mombasa as the nearest city, the reserve is in the distance of approximately 33 kilometers from Mombasa city and 15 kilometers from the coast which makes it easily accessible.

Shimba hills national reserve can be accessed using road and air means of transport, by road use routes from Mombasa and from the coast you use a route from Diani Beach. By air domestic flights are offered from Nairobi’s jomo Kenyatta national park and Wilson’s airport to Moi international airport situated in Mombasa.