Shimba Hills National Reserve
Wildlife & Animals
Kenya Parks
Anthony is a renowned Africa expert and author of many Lonely Planet guidebooks, including the guide to Kenya.
Shimba Hills National Reserve has a big population of elephants. They disappear easily into the forest and close-up sightings are not guaranteed, but an eagle’s eye view over the forest from one of the lookout points, especially Elephant Hill, often proves productive. Other common mammals include buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe and bushbuck.
Wildlife Highlights
Shimba Hills is a sanctuary for the endangered Roosevelt's sable antelope. Several primate species can be seen including yellow baboon, Sykes’ monkey, vervet monkey and the beautiful Angola colobus monkey. Charming nocturnal greater galagos (bush babies) are regular visitors to Shimba Hills Lodge, and their piercing cries can be heard at night. Two other species of galago occur here: the small-eared galago (lesser bush baby) and the tiny Zanzibar galago.
Best Time for Wildlife Viewing
Shimba Hills can be visited throughout the year, although the best months for wildlife viewing are June to September, and again in January and February. There is rain along the coast throughout the year, and heavy downfalls may restrict game drives and hiking trips. The short rains, often beginning in mid- to late October and peaking in November, and the long rains, in April and May, make these months less appealing. In between these two rainy periods, December to March is usually dry.
