What You Need to Know: Shimba Hills National Reserve is about 45 minutes from Diani Beach and an hour from Mombasa. It has coastal rainforest, elephants, the rare sable antelope and the walk to Sheldrick Falls. The Kenya Wildlife Service fee is confirmed in your quotation. It is an easy day trip from the beach.
Why Visit Shimba Hills?
The reserve covers about 300 km² of rolling hills about 1,310 ft (400 m) above the coast, cooler than the beach and with views to the ocean. It holds Kenya's only population of sable antelope, and elephants, buffaloes and many forest birds and butterflies.
The Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary next door is a community-run corridor where elephants move between the hills and the lowlands.
Things to Do at Shimba Hills
- Game drives for sable antelope and elephants
- The guided walk to Sheldrick Falls
- Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
- Birding in the coastal forest
How to Get to Shimba Hills
The reserve is inland from Kwale, south of Mombasa.
| From | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Diani Beach | By road | About 45 minutes |
| Mombasa | By road and the Likoni ferry | About 1 hour |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Shimba Hills?
Good all year; the dry months, June to October and January to March, make walking easier.
Shimba Hills Entry Fees
| Fee | 2026 rate (non-resident adult) |
|---|---|
| Shimba Hills National Reserve (Kenya Wildlife Service) | Kenya Wildlife Service daily fee, confirmed in your quotation |
Fees are paid through Kenya's eCitizen system or at the gate and are included in our quotations. Every visitor to Kenya needs an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), about US$30–35, applied for at etakenya.go.ke at least 3 days before you fly. Kenya is on the yellow fever list, so carry your certificate if you continue to Tanzania, Uganda or Rwanda.
How Many Days Do You Need for Shimba Hills?
A day trip from Diani or Mombasa.
How to Add Shimba Hills to a Kenya Safari
No fixed itinerary includes Shimba Hills yet. Most guests add the coast after a safari: we arrange a flight or the Madaraka Express train from Nairobi and a few nights at the beach after any of our Kenya itineraries, such as the 14-day Kenya and Rwanda safari.
Our Kenya trips are planned by us and run on the ground by trusted local partner operators: you get one written quotation and one point of contact, and a private vehicle with a driver-guide for your group only. In Kenya that is a 4x4 Toyota Land Cruiser with a pop-up roof, sliding windows, a fridge and binoculars.
What to Combine with Shimba Hills
- Diani Beach: see our Diani Beach guide
- Mombasa: see our Mombasa guide
- Tsavo: see our Tsavo guide
Where to Stay at Shimba Hills, and Tips for Your Visit
There are few places to stay inside the reserve; most visitors come for the day from Diani or Mombasa.
- Leave early: animals are most active in the cool morning
- Wear walking shoes for the path down to Sheldrick Falls, which is steep in places
- Bring insect repellent for the forest
- Combine with Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary on the same day
Wildlife of Shimba Hills
| Animal | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sable antelope | Kenya's only population; the reserve's symbol |
| Elephants | Move between the hills and Mwaluganje |
| Buffaloes, bushbucks, warthogs | Common in the grassland |
| Birds and butterflies | Coastal forest specialties |
A Sample Day from Diani
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 7:00 | Pickup at your Diani hotel |
| 8:00 | Game drive in the grassland, looking for sable |
| 10:30 | Guided walk to Sheldrick Falls and back |
| 13:00 | Lunch, then return to Diani |
The Sable Antelope
The sable antelope is one of Africa's most striking animals: the males are glossy black, with white face markings and long, curved horns. In Kenya, sable are found only in Shimba Hills, where a small population lives in the grassland and woodland. They are most often seen early in the morning or late in the afternoon, grazing at the forest edge.
Seeing them is the main goal of most game drives in the reserve, but the elephants that move between the hills and the Mwaluganje sanctuary, and the forest birds and butterflies, make the visit worthwhile even if the sable stay hidden. The cooler air of the hills is also a welcome change from the coast.
Shimba Hills is an easy half or full day from Diani or Mombasa, and combines well with a beach stay.
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
Next to Shimba Hills, the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary protects a corridor used by elephants moving between the hills and the lowlands. It was set up by local landowners, who share the income from visitors, and it shows how communities and elephants can live side by side. A visit adds a few hours to a Shimba Hills day and is a good chance to see elephants up close in a quiet, community-run area.
The sanctuary is reached on rough roads, so a 4x4 is best.
Common Questions About Shimba Hills
What is special about Shimba Hills?
It is the only place in Kenya to see sable antelope, and it has rare coastal rainforest.
Can we visit on a day trip from Diani?
Yes, it is about 45 minutes away.
Are there big cats in Shimba Hills?
Leopards live there but are rarely seen; the reserve is about sable, elephants and forest.
How long do I need in Shimba Hills?
Half a day for a game drive and the waterfall walk, or a full day with Mwaluganje.
Can I stay overnight in Shimba Hills?
There are a few lodges near the reserve, but most visitors come for the day from the coast.
What should I bring to Shimba Hills?
Walking shoes, insect repellent, a light layer and binoculars.
Can I swim at Sheldrick Falls?
Yes, in the pool at the base, with your ranger's agreement.
The Bottom Line
Shimba Hills is the easiest wildlife day trip from Kenya's south coast. Add it to a Diani beach stay.
Tell us your dates, the number of travelers and what you want to see, through the booking form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or by email to jaynevytours@gmail.com, and we will send a written quotation and itinerary.