Shimba Hills National Reserve

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

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.

• More about Shimba Hills’ wildlife

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.

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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.

• More about the best time to visit

Want To Visit Shimba Hills NR?

Shimba Hills Safaris

• Shimba Hills Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Shimba Hills