​Overview – Shimba Hills NR

Anthony Ham
Expert
By Anthony Ham

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.

Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Anthony is the author of the Lonely Planet guide to Kenya.

Shimba Hills National Reserve protects one of the last large coastal rainforests in East Africa. It is a stronghold for the rare subspecies of sable antelope: Roosevelt's sable. This is not a Big Five reserve, but several of the usual safari animals, as well as some interesting forest animals, can be found here.

Best Time To Go July to September and January to February
High Season December to March and July to October (Not busy)
Size 300km² / 116mi²
Altitude 119-442m / 390-1,450ft

Pros & Cons

  • Rare coastal rainforest habitat
  • Rare forest wildlife
  • Little visited and it never gets busy
  • Guided walks available
  • Stunning scenery
  • Excellent birding with forest specials
  • Easy day trip from Mombasa and beach resorts
  • Limited variety of the usual big safari animals and few predator sightings
  • Only one lodge and several campsites inside the park

Shimba Hills NR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding

Wildlife

Shimba Hills is a refuge for many forest species. Elephant and buffalo are the only Big Five animals you’re likely to see. Predator sightings are rare, but Masai giraffe has been introduced and many interesting antelope species occur here naturally. Some of the delightful smaller inhabitants include the red-bellied coast squirrel and the greater galago, both of which have become habituated at Shimba Hills Lodge.

Scenery

The reserve’s habitat consists of coastal rainforest and grassland interspersed with woodland and coastal bush. Shimba Hills is considered to be one of the most diverse of the forested ecosystems on the Kenyan coast, supporting more than 1,000 plant species. Sheldrick Falls has a lovely plunge pool, perfect for cooling off.

Weather & Climate

An ever-present breeze tends to take the sting out of Shimba Hills’ heat and humidity, though it never really gets that cool. Even at night it stays warm. You can’t fully escape the rain here, but it’s more widespread in October and November, and can really rain hard in April and May. Sunny days are typical in the intervening dry periods.

Best Time To Visit

The drier seasons (December to March and June to September) see the animals gather around local water sources, making them easy to find. You can still track them in the wetter months, but it takes greater effort as they’re more dispersed. You won’t really be bothered by other visitors here at any time of year, as the park doesn’t tend to attract crowds.

Want To Visit Shimba Hills NR?

Shimba Hills Safaris

Shimba Hills NR Safari Reviews

  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
  • Wildlife
  • Scenery
  • Bush Vibe
  • Birding
Most Helpful Expert Review
Expert
Philip Briggs  –  
South Africa ZA

Philip is an acclaimed travel writer and author of many guidebooks, including the Bradt guides to Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa.

Sables, squirrels and bush babies
3/5

Though it doesn’t compare with Kenya’s finest in terms of overall game viewing, this small hilly reserve offers much to wildlife connoisseurs and it’s also a great overnight add-on to a beach holiday, situated less than an hour’s...

Full Review

Latest User Review
Jacqueline Degernier  –  
United Kingdom UK
Reviewed: Aug 16, 2024
4/5

This was a park which had different vibe but enjoyed the difference still plenty to see but not so frequent sightings

Full Review