Super User 23 August 2023

Best Travel Guide To Shimba Hills National Reserve Wildlife in Kenya

Discover the beauty of Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kenya. It’s one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa after Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. This reserve is rich in flora and fauna and hosts the highest density of forest elephants.

The reserve is an important area for plant biodiversity – over 50% of the 159 rare plants in Kenya are found in the Shimba Hills, including some endangered species of cycad and orchids. It is also a nationally important site for birds and butterflies.

Location of Shimba National Reserve in Kenya:

The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a small National Reserve in the former Coast Province of Kenya, 33 km from Mombasa and 15 km from the coast. The reserve is an area of coastal rainforest, woodland, and grassland.

There are estimated to be approximately 700 elephants in the reserve. This population is unsustainably high – it causes significant damage to vegetation, threatening the endangered plant life. The conflict between humans and elephants has also reached critical levels.

North of the reserve, the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary has been established to provide a route for elephants to leave the park. The remainder of the park boundary is fenced to prevent the elephants from invading farmland. Shimba Hills contains Kenya's only population of sable antelope. There are about 100 in the park.

The reserve is ideal for a visit and contains one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa. Though not a Big Five reserve, it has several of the usual safari animals, as well as some interesting forest animals, which can be found here including the Roosevelt’s sable, a stronghold for this rare subspecies of sable antelope.

Shimba Hills National Reserve Wildlife:

Shimba Hills National Reserve Animals:

The reserve is also known for its herds of elephants and visitors can find the enthralling Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary with nearby scenic viewpoints and five picnic areas. Shimba Hills has a large 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 wildlife animals that can be found at Shimba Hills include the endangered Sable Antelope, Giraffes, Leopard, Genet, Civet cat, Hyenas, Waterbuck, Bushpig, Buffalo, African Bush Baby, Bushbuck, Black and white Colobus and Blue Duiker. Also found here are the Red Duiker, Greater Galago, Black-faced Vervet Monkey, Sykes Monkey, Serval cat, Black and Red Shrew, and Knob-bristled Suni Shrew.

Shimba Hills National Reserve Birds:

The reserve is also host to over 111 bird species have been recorded at Shimba Hills NR, of which 22 are coastal endemics Among them are the ostrich Eagle, African Hawk; Falcon, Cuckoo; Guinea-fowl, Kenya Crested; Honeyguide, Greater; Hornbill, Crowned; Quail, Blue; Sunbird, Uluguru, and many others.

Shimba Hills National Reserve Tourist activities:

The reserve offers great things to visitors including guided walks to Sheldrick Falls – a great opportunity to see the birdlife in the forest. Game drives are more adventurous in the reserve compared to African savannahs, as animals are harder to spot. A safari game drive can be very rewarding at Shimba Hills National Reserve as it is the only place in Kenya where you can see Sable Antelope and visitors can go on guided forest walks up to the scenically beautiful Sheldrick Falls

Visitors also experience other activities during their East African safari experience at Shimba Hills National Reserve including;

Nature walks: These are where visitors explore nature and wildlife on foot, an authentic and economical means of exploring wildlife in Shimba Hills National.

Reserve sighting: Where visitors enjoy the many viewing points and picnic sites. The reserve has several areas tourists can use as viewpoints to see the vastness of the park and the hills with manicured camping grounds and rooms including the Makadara picnic site.

Shimba Hills National Reserve Accommodation:

Accommodation is readily available, and ranges from basic to luxury including lodges, campsites, and others, and mainly depends on the season and type of accommodation.

Shimba Hills National Reserve Lodges:

Lodges and camps are exclusive and luxurious with views amongst the most spectacular in the world along with world-class service, incredible food, and all luxury amenities, simply ideal for the perfect luxury location. Shimba Hills Lodge is one of the top choices for your stay and offers a restaurant and dares beautiful architecture and a raised walkway above a watering hole where animals rehydrate. Other good choices in the area include the 3-star Pumzika-tu hotel.

Shimba Hills National Reserve camps:

Four campsites can be found at Shimba Hills National Reserve near the dense Mwaluganje Forest, providing basic campsite provisions and more, including toilets and running water. The campsites include Makadara, Ocean View, and Sheldrick Falls Walk.

Shimba Hills National Reserve Campervan:

Guests on a safari game drive by themselves in a campervan can make significant savings by sleeping in their vehicle.

Arrange with Ultimate Wild Safaris for an expedition in the wilderness of Shimba Hills reserve in the coastal lands of Kenya.

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