Shimba Hills

Shimba Hills Safari

Coastal rainforest, sable antelope and Sheldrick Falls

Shimba Hills · South Coast · Kwale CountyFull dayModerate — includes a forest walk with a climb

Sable antelope resting in grassland in Shimba Hills National Reserve

Sheldrick Falls in the forest of Shimba Hills National Reserve

Overview

A day in the green hills behind the south coast — forest game drive, the reserve’s sable antelope, and a guided walk down to Sheldrick Falls.

Shimba Hills is the closest real safari to the coast hotels, and it is a completely different landscape from the parks inland: coastal rainforest and open grassland on high ground, with the Indian Ocean visible from the escarpment on a clear day.

The reserve is the one most associated with sable antelope in Kenya. Elephants move through it, and there is a long list of forest birds, colobus monkeys, buffalo and bushbuck for anyone paying attention.

The other half of the day is the walk to Sheldrick Falls — down through forest with a ranger to a waterfall and a pool at the bottom of the valley, and back up again. It is a proper walk in both directions and it is the part most guests talk about afterwards.

Highlights

Sable antelope
Forest elephants
Sheldrick Falls guided walk
Coastal rainforest
Views to the Indian Ocean

Itinerary

Pickup
Collection from your hotel
We collect you from the coast and drive up into the hills to the reserve gate.
Morning
Game drive
A drive through forest and grassland looking for sable antelope, elephant, buffalo, bushbuck and the reserve’s birdlife.
Midday
Sheldrick Falls walk
A guided walk with a ranger down through the forest to the falls, with time at the pool before the climb back out.
Afternoon
Escarpment views
Time on the high ground where the reserve looks out towards the Indian Ocean, conditions permitting.
Return
Back to the coast
The drive back down to your hotel.

What’s included

Included

Road transport — Hotel to reserve and back
Driver-guide
Game drive in the reserve
Drinking water

Not included

Park entry fees — Set by Kenya Wildlife Service
Ranger fee for the Sheldrick Falls walk
Lunch and drinks — Can be arranged in advance
Gratuities
Travel insurance

Meeting point & pickup

We collect you from your hotel; the reserve gate is confirmed with your booking.

Hotel pickup from the south and north coast. Tell us where you are staying when you book and we will confirm timing.

What to bring

Closed walking shoes with grip — the falls path can be slippery
Insect repellent
A light rain layer; the hills catch weather the coast does not
Swimwear if you want to get into the pool at the falls
Binoculars and a camera
Cash for park entry fees and the ranger walk

Important information

Park entry fees are set by Kenya Wildlife Service and are payable separately unless we confirm otherwise in writing.
The Sheldrick Falls walk is a guided descent and climb on a forest path. It needs a reasonable level of fitness. Tell us if that is a concern and we will plan the day around it.
Wildlife is wild. We go to the places these animals are usually found and we give you the best chance we can, but no sighting can be guaranteed by us or by anyone else.
Exact departure and return times are confirmed in writing when your booking is confirmed. Timings on this coast follow the tide, the sea state and the day’s conditions rather than a fixed timetable.
What is and is not included is restated on your booking confirmation. If anything here is unclear, ask us before you pay anything.

Frequently asked questions

Will we see sable antelope?

Shimba Hills is the reserve in Kenya most associated with sable, and they are the animal most guests come hoping to see. They are still wild animals in forested country, so we cannot promise a sighting.

How hard is the walk to the falls?

It is a descent through forest and a climb back up, on a path that can be slippery after rain. Most reasonably mobile people manage it comfortably. If you are unsure, tell us and we will be honest with you.

Can I swim at the falls?

There is a pool at the bottom. Whether you get in depends on conditions on the day and on what the ranger says.

Is this better than Tsavo?

It is different, not better. Shimba is forest and hills, close to the coast, with sable as the headline. Tsavo East is big open plains and the classic safari picture, with a longer drive. We will help you pick.