Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve is one of the most beautiful natural reserves in Kenya, which, despite having minimal recognition, is only 33 kilometres west of Mombasa. The reserve is a very rare combination of hilly terrain, coastal rainforests and open grasslands with an area of approximately 300 square kilometres, and it houses a phenomenal amount of wildlife and birds. It is among the largest coastal forests in East Africa and the second largest, only to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest, and the ideal place that the traveller can find to relax, enjoy scenic beauty, and enjoy a rich biodiversity without the congestion that is encountered at the more popular parks.
A View of Stunning Beauty.
Shimba Hills National Reserve occupies an altitude of between 150 and 450 metres above sea level, which provides it with a cooler climate as compared to the west coast. The scenery at the park is a beautiful mixture of green rolling hills, deep valleys and thick tropical forests. The visitors get a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean and the plains around the reserve, which are seen from different perspectives.
The ecosystem of the reserve contains a variety of flora, such as tall trees, cotton ferns, and orchids. The vegetation is crucial in the ecological aspect that safeguards the water catchments of the area and gives refuge to many species that are found in the humid coastal environment.
Extra Wildlife and the Rare Sable Antelope.
The sable antelope is one of the most beautiful and unique species of antelopes and a major attraction of the Shimba Hills. The sable antelope is found only in Shimba Hills in Kenya, hence a place to visit for wildlife lovers. Their black attire and curved horns make the males a sight to see, and they portray the originality of this reserve.
The park has other animals except the sable antelope, which include elephants, giraffes, leopards, bushbucks, hyenas, serval cats, buffaloes and warthogs. The elephant population is especially great, and since their number has been on the rise, some have been moved to the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, which is located next to the reserve. This assists in minimising man-wildlife conflict with the local communities.
Shimba Hills will also be rewarding to the birdwatchers. More than 230 species of birds have been documented, with some of them being green tinkerbirds, African hawk eagles, ostriches, guinea fowls, sunbirds and hornbills. Due to the thick canopy of forests, there are great chances of seeing very rare and bright species, and it is a heaven for nature enthusiasts and photographers.
The magnificent Sheldrick Falls.
A hike to the Sheldrick Falls, located in the Shimba Hills, is incomplete when visiting the attraction. The cascades, having a length of approximately 25 metres, pour down into a natural pool, which is 25 metres below and is encircled by dense tropical wildlife. The walk to the waterfall will take approximately two hours there and back and will provide the tourists with an opportunity to walk in the forest, accompanied by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers.
The walk in itself is an adventure; the butterflies fly around, and the monkeys hang out of the branches of the trees. When one gets to the falls, the view and the noise of water rushing give it a refreshing effect, making it a good place to rest, have a picnic, or even take a little dip in the cool waters.
Scenic views and picnic areas.
Shimba Hills has various scenic points that provide the visitors with breathtaking sceneries of the reserve and further. One of the most popular places where elephants tend to visit to drink and wash is the Marere Dam, which is a major source of water for the wildlife. Another elevation within the park is Elephant Hill, which is an elevated point with a panoramic view of the Shimba landscape and occasionally even a glimpse of the Indian Ocean, especially on clear days.
The reserve also has specific picnic spots and camping grounds where visitors can have their meals and enjoy the wild at the same time. Shimba Hills is one of the best places to enjoy nature picnics or even spend the night in the wild. Due to the peaceful nature created by the calls of birds and cool breezes, Sheldrick Falls is a beautiful place to visit
Accommodation and Access
There are a few accommodation facilities that a visitor can opt to stay at in Shimba Hills. Within the reserve, Shimba Hills Lodge brings a lovely treehouse experience in the form of balconies facing a waterhole that is a regular habitat of the elephants and antelopes. Lodges and resorts in Diani Beach and Kwale County are available outside the park, thus easy to access as a day trip.
Access to the reserve is easy. It is approximately a one-hour drive away from Mombasa and only 45 minutes to Diani Beach. The primary gate is the KWS Shimba Hills Gate, which can be approached by the main road between Mombasa and Kwale. The vehicle should be a 4×4, more so during the rainy seasons when the roads may be slippery.
Best Time to Visit
The Shimba Hills National Reserve is open throughout the year, although the most opportune season to see the game and do hiking is during the dry season, which lies in the months of June-October and January-February. The vegetation is green and very lush during the rainy season, which makes it the best place to do photography and birdwatching, but the trails are likely to be muddy.
Conclusion
The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a little secret on the south coast of Kenya, a place of serenity, beauty and rare wildlife. It is a refreshing substitute for the traditional savanna Kenya safaris, with rolling green hills, misty forests and amazing waterfalls. Be it an enthusiastic birdwatcher, a nature photographer, or just a person who wants a nice, relaxing time in the company of nature, Shimba Hills is likely to become an experience to be remembered.
