Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve is a coastal secret located only 33 kilometres south of Mombasa that combines wildlife, beautiful scenery, and fresh coastal air. Ignored by most tourists headed to Kenya to visit larger parks, Shimba Hills provides a calm, intimate safari experience with the added benefit of the rainforest, grassy hills, and opportunities to view Kenya’s rare sable antelopes in the wild. Whether you need a brief wildlife getaway out of Diani Beach or you are interested in birding, Shimba Hills National Reserve presents another facet of the Kenya safari circuit.
The Reasons to Visit Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve is described as a national reserve with a unique coastal rainforest ecosystem, and this has made it one of the richest botanical areas in East Africa. This reserve has over 700 species of plants, some of which are rare, including cycads and orchids, and this is a paradise to nature lovers and photographers who are interested in capturing beautiful scenery. The endangered sable antelope can also be found in the reserve and is one of the few remaining strongholds of the sable antelope in Kenya and visitors have a rare opportunity to observe these beautiful animals grazing in the open clearings at dawn and dusk.
The cool climate and the misty mornings in the reserve make it a comfortable place to visit during game drives, guided nature walks and picnics since it does not tend to be as hot as the savannahs. At the hilltops, you will also have panoramic views of the Indian Ocean and the coastal plains, giving your wildlife experience a coastal touch.
Shimba Hills Wildlife encounters
The smaller size of Shimba Hills National Reserve is not sufficient to limit various wildlife that can be found in the park. Important animals that you might find in the area are the elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, warthogs and bushbucks. The reserve is heavily populated with elephants and the Kenya Wildlife Service has put in place steps like the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary adjacent to it to help minimise the human-wildlife conflict and provide the visitors with the chance to see the elephants in a semi-wild habitat.
To birdwatchers, Shimba Hills is a hotspot that has more than 200 recorded bird species, including the African crowned eagle, Fischer turaco and the violet woodhoopoe. The variety of birds, butterflies and insects renders it a perfect place to visit for those who are keen on macro and avian photography on their safari.
Sheldrick Falls and Nature walks
Hiking to Sheldrick Falls, a 25 meter waterfall, hidden in the forest, is one of the highlights of the visit to Shimba Hills National Reserve. It will take you approximately 45 minutes to walk to the falls along the shaded forest paths, where you will see monkeys, colourful butterflies and various species of birds. The pool at the foot of the falls is a cool reward to one who has had a warm morning walk. There are guided nature walks with Kenya Wildlife Service rangers which offer a chance to see the flora and small wildlife of the reserve as well as safely explore the reserve on foot.
Peak Season to Visit Shimba Hills
Shimba Hills National Reserve is accessible throughout the year, although the most preferable time to visit is during the dry periods of June to October and between January and February, when wildlife is more visible and the walking tracks are not slippery. Nevertheless, the cool temperatures of the reserve and coastal rains make the region green throughout the wetter months, offering beautiful landscapes to photographers and nature lovers.
Travel Tips Shimba Hills
Should you wish to visit the Shimba Hills National Reserve, then the KWS gate that is near Kwale is your point of entry and is easily accessible by road, either via Mombasa or via Diani Beach. The reserve is perfect for a day visit or an overnight visit at the nearby eco-lodges or tented camps like Shimba Hills Lodge, which provides a special treehouse experience with a waterhole that elephants visit regularly.
Bring your comfortable walking shoes, binoculars to watch the birds and a zoom camera to take pictures of the wildlife. The weather at the reserve may be erratic; therefore, it is good to carry along a light rain jacket. The best times to view the wildlife are during the early morning or late afternoons; the middle of the day can be spent at your lodge or in the nearby Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.
Shimba hills and Coastal Kenya Safaris
Shimba Hills National Reserve would make a great supplement to a holiday in Diani Beach or Mombasa, especially for those travellers who like to mix beach relaxation with wildlife safaris. There is no problem in planning a day trip to Shimba Hills to break the beach routine and get a taste of wildlife without having to spend hours on the road. It is near the coast; hence, you can get the best of Kenya coastal attractions and wildlife in one visit.
Community and Conservation Activities
Besides being a wildlife destination, Shimba Hills National Reserve is also an important local conservation site. The local communities are involved in eco-tourism and conservation projects such as the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary that offers a safe passage to the elephants as well as a source of tourism revenue to the local communities. When the travellers visit Shimba Hills, they have a direct input in the conservation process and their development, which makes this beautiful coastal reserve sustainable.
Conclusion: Learn about Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve has the best attraction site for tourists who want to have a relaxing and refreshing safari near the Kenya coastlines. The reserve has a wide array of rare sable antelopes and elephant sightings, as well as cool forest trails to Sheldrick Falls, which is an immersive wildlife experience free of crowds. Whether you are a nature lover, a photographer, a birding enthusiast, or an adventurer seeking a unique addition to your Kenya safari, Shimba Hills offers a hidden treasure that is well worth exploring.
Visit the Shimba Hills National Reserve to enjoy the coastal wildlife and scenic beauty of Kenya to make your safari in East Africa special and unforgettable.
