Shimba Hills National Reserve

S W K

Shimba Hills National Reserve.

Nairobi Education Centre Nairobi Education Centre Nairobi Safari Walk Nairobi Safari Walk Nakuru Education Centre Nakuru Education Centre Tsavo East Education Centre Tsavo East Education Centre Tsavo West Education Centre Tsavo West Education Centre Preamble Preamble Facilities Facilities Academic Progorammes Academic Progorammes Course Descriptions Course Descriptions International Wetlands Course International Wetlands Course Fees Structure Fees Structure Information Booklet (PDF) Information Booklet (PDF) Student's Application Form (PDF) Student's Application Form (PDF) Wetlands Application Form (PDF) Wetlands Application Form (PDF) Naishi Guest House - Nakuru Naishi Guest House - Nakuru Sable Bandas - Shimba Hills Sable Bandas - Shimba Hills Fishing Lodge - Aberdare Fishing Lodge - Aberdare Sapper Hut - Aberdare Sapper Hut - Aberdare Tusk Camp - Aberdare Tusk Camp - Aberdare Sirimon Bandas - Mt. Kenya Sirimon Bandas - Mt. Kenya Warden's Cottage - Mt. Kenya Warden's Cottage - Mt. Kenya Kapkuro Bandas - Mt. Elgon Kapkuro Bandas - Mt. Elgon Warden's Guest House - Amboseli Warden's Guest House - Amboseli Lake Jipe Bandas - Tsavo West Lake Jipe Bandas - Tsavo West Kamboyo Guest House - Tsavo West Kamboyo Guest House - Tsavo West Bwatherongi - Meru Bwatherongi - Meru Murera - Meru Murera - Meru Udo Bandas - Kakamega Udo Bandas - Kakamega Important Information Important Information Accommodation Accommodation Tariffs Tariffs The Smartcard The Smartcard Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions Kenya, in Brief Kenya, in Brief Community Wildlife Service Community Wildlife Service Elephant Programme Elephant Programme Forest Programme Forest Programme Hirola Conservation Hirola Conservation Rhino Programme Rhino Programme Security Service Security Service Veterinary Service Veterinary Service Wetlands Programme Wetlands Programme Aberdare National Park Aberdare National Park Amboseli National Park Amboseli National Park Arabuko Sokoke National Park Arabuko Sokoke National Park Bisanadi National Reserve Bisanadi National Reserve Central Island National Park Central Island National Park Chyulu Hills National Park Chyulu Hills National Park Hell's Gate National Park Hell's Gate National Park Impala Sanctuary Impala Sanctuary Kakamega Forest National Reserve Kakamega Forest National Reserve Kora National Park Kora National Park Lake Nakuru National Park Lake Nakuru National Park Losai National Reserve Losai National Reserve Malka Mari National Park Malka Mari National Park Marine Parks and Reserves Marine Parks and Reserves Marsabit National Reserve Marsabit National Reserve Meru National Park Meru National Park Mount Elgon National Park Mount Elgon National Park Mount Kenya National Park Mount Kenya National Park Mount Longonot National Park Mount Longonot National Park Mwea National Reserve Mwea National Reserve Nairobi National Park Nairobi National Park Ndere Island National Reserve Ndere Island National Reserve Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park Ruma National Park Ruma National Park Saiwa Swamp National Park Saiwa Swamp National Park Shaba National Reserve Shaba National Reserve Shimba Hills National Reserve Shimba Hills National Reserve Sibiloi National Park Sibiloi National Park Tana River Natioanal Primate Reserve Tana River Natioanal Primate Reserve Tsavo East National Park Tsavo East National Park Tsavo West National Park Tsavo West National Park

Background Information
The Shimba Hills were gazetted as a National Forest in 1903, grassland areas were incorporated in 1924 and several subsequent extensions took place to bring the Reserve to its present size. In 1968 most of the Reserve was double gazetted as the Shimba Hills National Reserve. Two smaller areas to the west adjoining the reserve and almost entirely forested remain as Forest Reserves; Mkongani North and Mkongani West Forest Reserve.

A fenced elephant corridor connects the Shimba Hills with Mwaluganje Forest Reserve to the North.

The Shimba hills are a dissected plateau that ascends steeply from the coastal plains, 30 km south west of Mombasa and just south of Kwale town. The surrounding escarpment rises from around 120m to 300m across the bulk of the plateau and as high as 450m at Marare and Pengo hills.

The underlying rocks are the Triassic Shimba Grits and in the north central part near Kwale town Pliecone Magarini sands. Rivers flowing from the hills supply fresh water to Mombasa and the Diani/Ukunda area.

Location:
The reserve is approximately 33 km South of Mombasa, in Kwale district of Coast Province.

Climate:
The climate is hot and moist but is cooler than that at the coast with strong sea breezes and frequent mist and cloud in the early morning. Annual rainfall is 855mm-1682mm. Mean annual temperatures is 24.2 degrees Centigrade.

HOW TO GET THERE

Roads:
The reserve's main access is via Diani. - 56 kms from Mombasa.

Airstrips:
The reserve has one airstrip.

Park Roads:
Inside the Reserve is a 153 km road network.

Park Gates:
Main gate, Kivumoni Gate, Kidongo Gate, Shimba Gate.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Scenic landscape comprising of hills and valleys extending beyond the reserve boundaries

Sheldricks Falls
Sable antelope
Coastal rainforest
Potential for bird-shooting outside the Reserve

FACILITIES

Shimba Hills Lodge; KWS Bandas; 2 campsites

COMMON VEGETATION

The Shimba Hills hold one of the largest areas of coastal rain forest in East Africa after Arabuko Sokoke. The vegetation consists of forested scarp slopes and undulating grasslands interspersed with woodland clumps and ribbons of riverine forest in the steeply cut valleys.

Sable Antelope

Sable Banda

Sable Antelope