Shimba Hills National Reserve

Shimba Hills

Shimba Hills National Reserve is situated approximately thirty-three kilometers south of Mombasa town, in the Kwale district. The National reserve is rich in flora and fauna and is home to one of the highest densities of African elephants in Kenya. The coastal habitat is composed of a mixed habitat which consists of tropical plantations, forests, grasslands as well as scrublands. The environment holds one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa after the Arabuko-Sokoke forest. The size of the park is 300 km2 and the climatic condition is hot and moist. The annual rainfall is 855mm-1682mm and the mean annual temperature is 25 degrees Centigrade. The forest is also full of bird life best for bird watching.

Uniqueness

• The National Reserve is perfectly set for a day trip if you are staying in Mombasa or Diani Beach.
• Its hills have spectacular viewpoints that offer marvelous views of the hilly and forested countryside and far the Tsavo plains and Taita hills to the West and the Indian Ocean and Chale Island to the East.
• Wild animals that can be spotted in the area are the rare and endangered Sable Antelope, elephant, hyena, waterbuck, buffalo, reedbuck, warthog, serval, giraffe, bush pig, baboon, and bushy tailed mongoose, and other small mammals like fruit bat.