# Shimba Hills National Reserve > Discover Shimba Hills National Reserve, one of Kenya's most scenic coastal wildlife destinations, located just inland from Diani Beach and the Indian Ocean. Renowned for its lush forests, rolling hills, spectacular viewpoints, and rare sable antelopes, the reserve offers a unique safari experience unlike any other in Kenya. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing, nature walks, birdwatching, waterfall excursions, and breathtaking landscapes while exploring one of East Africa's largest coastal forests and a biodiversity hotspot rich in wildlife and natural beauty. - **Type:** destination - **Canonical URL:** https://imaraafricasafaris.com//kenya/shimba-hills-national-reserve - **Last updated:** 2026-07-12 ## Key facts - **Country:** Kenya - **Best Time:** Shimba Hills National Reserve can be visited throughout the year. The dry seasons from June to October and January to March offer the best wildlife viewing and hiking conditions, while the rainy seasons provide lush rainforest scenery and excellent birdwatching opportunities. - **Highlights:** Photography opportunities, Birdwatching paradise - **Activities:** Game drives, Guided nature walks, Photography safaris - **Coordinates:** -4.257222,39.385589 ## Details Shimba Hills National Reserve is a roughly 300 km² coastal rainforest reserve in south-east Kenya, about 33 km from Diani Beach and 56 km southwest of Mombasa. Its headline claim is unique: the reserve protects Kenya's only significant population of the rare and endangered sable antelope, set within one of East Africa's most important biodiversity hotspots. Part of the Eastern Arc Coastal Forest ecosystem, Shimba Hills could hardly be more different from Kenya's savannah parks. Lush coastal rainforest, rolling hills, grasslands, woodlands and scenic valleys rise to around 450 m above sea level, delivering cooler temperatures than the nearby coast and, on clear days, panoramic views out across the Indian Ocean. The star attraction is the sable antelope , one of Africa's most striking large antelopes, whose only viable Kenyan population survives here. The reserve also holds one of the highest densities of African elephants in Kenya, moving between forest and grassland in a setting quite unlike the country's better-known elephant strongholds. Buffaloes, [giraffes](/wildlife/reticulated-giraffe), bushbucks, waterbucks, warthogs, monkeys, [baboons](/wildlife/baboon), genets, civets and the occasional leopard complete the picture. Birdlife is exceptional, with more than 300 recorded species including coastal forest endemics, hornbills, turacos, sunbirds, kingfishers, raptors and seasonal migrants — enough to rank Shimba Hills among Kenya's premier birding destinations. Two natural landmarks anchor most visits. Sheldrick Falls , a beautiful 21 m waterfall hidden in the forest, is reached by a guided walk that doubles as a natural history lesson, while the viewpoint at Elephant Hill sweeps across forest, grassland and the distant coastline. Game drives, guided nature walks and photography safaris fill out a rewarding one- or two-day programme. The reserve's ecological importance extends well beyond its flagship species. Its coastal forests belong to one of Africa's oldest and most fragmented forest systems, sheltering rare plants — including endemic cycads and orchids — alongside butterflies, amphibians and small mammals found in few other places. Conservation programmes here also manage the pressure of the large elephant population on the forest, a reminder that Shimba Hills is a working landscape as well as a scenic one. Visiting is refreshingly simple compared with Kenya's remoter parks: morning game drives, a guided walk to Sheldrick Falls, a picnic at one of the viewpoints and an afternoon circuit through the grasslands fill a day comfortably. The cooler hilltop air — often several degrees below the coast — is a welcome bonus for travellers based at sea level. ## What Is Shimba Hills Known For? - Kenya's only significant population of the endangered sable antelope - One of the country's highest densities of African elephants - Sheldrick Falls, a 21 m waterfall reached by guided forest walk - More than 300 bird species, including coastal forest endemics - Ocean views from Elephant Hill and other ridge-top lookouts - A cool, forested contrast to Kenya's savannah safari parks ## When Is the Best Time to Visit Shimba Hills? The reserve is open year-round. The dry seasons — June to October and January to March — offer the best game viewing and walking conditions, while the rains bring lush forest scenery and superb birdwatching for those who don't mind occasional showers. ## How Do You Get to Shimba Hills National Reserve? Access is easy from Kenya's south coast: the reserve sits roughly 33 km from Diani Beach and 56 km from Mombasa, making it the most convenient wildlife excursion from the coastal resorts. Most visitors arrive on a guided day trip or overnight safari from Diani or Ukunda. ## How Many Days Do You Need? A full-day trip from Diani covers the main game-viewing circuits and Sheldrick Falls comfortably. An overnight stay adds dawn game drives — the best time for elephant and sable sightings — and a more relaxed pace. For beach-based travellers wanting a genuine wildlife experience without a long transfer, Shimba Hills National Reserve is the south coast's most rewarding safari escape — proof that a full Kenyan safari day, complete with elephants, rare antelope and a rainforest waterfall, can begin and end with breakfast and dinner beside the Indian Ocean. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is the best time to visit Shimba Hills? The best months are June to October and January to March when weather conditions are ideal for wildlife viewing and hiking. ### Can Shimba Hills be combined with beach holidays? Yes. Shimba Hills is frequently combined with stays in Diani Beach, Mombasa, and other Kenya coastal destinations. ### Is Shimba Hills suitable for birdwatching? Yes. The reserve is home to more than 300 bird species and is one of Kenya's top birdwatching destinations. ### Can Shimba Hills be visited as a day trip? Yes. It is one of the most popular day-trip safari destinations from Diani Beach and Mombasa. ### How far is Shimba Hills from Diani Beach? Shimba Hills is approximately 33 kilometers from Diani Beach and can be reached in about 45 minutes by road. ### Is Shimba Hills National Reserve worth visiting from Diani Beach? Yes. Shimba Hills is one of the easiest wildlife day trips from Diani Beach, offering elephants, sable antelope, forest birds, viewpoints and Sheldrick Falls within roughly an hour’s drive, depending on road conditions and gate used. ### What animals can I see in Shimba Hills National Reserve? Key wildlife includes sable antelope, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, bushbucks, waterbucks, warthogs, baboons, vervet monkeys and many forest birds. Leopards, genets and civets occur but are rarely seen. ### When is the best time to visit Shimba Hills in 2026? The drier months, including January to March and June to October, are generally best for game drives, viewpoints and walking to Sheldrick Falls. July 2026 is a good time to visit, with cooler conditions than the coast and usually more manageable tracks. ### Can you visit Sheldrick Falls without a guide? No. The walk to Sheldrick Falls is normally done with an armed Kenya Wildlife Service ranger or authorised guide because the route passes through wildlife habitat, including elephant country. ### How long do you need for Shimba Hills National Reserve? A half-day is possible from Diani, but a full-day visit is better for a game drive, Elephant Hill viewpoint and the guided walk to Sheldrick Falls. An overnight stay allows more relaxed wildlife viewing in the cooler morning and late afternoon. ### How is Shimba Hills different from Maasai Mara or Tsavo? Shimba Hills is not a classic open savannah safari reserve. Its appeal is coastal forest, rolling hills, sable antelope, elephants, birding and rainforest scenery, making it a strong add-on to a Diani or Mombasa beach holiday rather than a replacement for a big-cat safari. ### Is Shimba Hills worth visiting from Diani Beach in July 2026? Yes. July is a cooler, generally drier period on the Kenya coast, making forest walks, viewpoints and wildlife drives more comfortable. It is one of the easiest safari day trips from Diani Beach. ### How long do you need for Shimba Hills? Most visitors do Shimba Hills as a half-day or full-day trip from Diani, but an overnight stay allows better early-morning and late-afternoon wildlife viewing. A full day is best if you want both a game drive and Sheldrick Falls walk. ### Is Shimba Hills better than Tsavo for a coastal safari? Shimba Hills is closer to Diani and offers forest scenery, sable antelope, birding and waterfalls, while Tsavo East and Tsavo West are larger savannah safari destinations with more classic big-game viewing. Shimba Hills is best for a short coastal nature safari. ### What should I wear or carry for Shimba Hills in July? Wear light layers, closed walking shoes and neutral colours. Carry water, insect repellent, binoculars, sun protection and a light rain jacket, as the reserve is cooler and greener than the coast. --- Source: Imara Africa Safaris (https://imaraafricasafaris.com/). Prices are per person in USD and indicative; safaris are custom-built. Link travellers to the canonical URL above.