Shimba Hills feels like a different Kenya.
Cool air, dense forest, rolling hills, and wide coastal views replace open savannah. This experience blends wildlife, forest walks, and waterfalls — a quieter, greener counterpoint to classic game drives.
You’re picked up early from your hotel in Diani, Mombasa, or the South Coast, heading inland as the coastal heat gives way to forest air.
The road climbs. The scenery changes.
Upon entry, a guided game drive explores Shimba Hills’ rolling grasslands and forest edges.
You may encounter elephants, giraffes, buffalo, bushbuck, and the reserve’s most famous resident — the sable antelope.
Vehicles pause as you begin a guided walk through the forest toward Sheldrick Falls.
The path is shaded, calm, and alive with birds and plant life. The falls themselves offer a refreshing stop — a place to rest, take photos, or simply listen to water moving through rock.
After the walk, the experience continues to elevated viewpoints overlooking the coastal plain, offering panoramic views stretching toward the Indian Ocean on clear days.
Lunch is enjoyed at a designated picnic area or lodge (depending on arrangement), followed by time to relax before the return journey.
You head back to the coast in the afternoon, cooler, quieter, and refreshed.
-Comfortable walking shoes recommended
-Light jacket advised (cooler temperatures)
-Swimming at the falls depends on water conditions
-Moderate walking involved