Kwale County
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Photo: Mutisya Maingi · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
About Shimba Hills National Reserve
A national reserve of 192.5 km² in Kwale County, about 30 km south-west of Mombasa, where rolling hills meet one of Kenya's largest remaining coastal rainforests. It has been protected since 1903.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Highlights
- Kenya's last breeding herd of the critically endangered sable antelope
- Sheldrick Falls
- Coastal rainforest and rolling hills
- Guided hikes
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Suggested time
At least 1 day
KenyaPlus editorial guidance for a comfortable visit, not an official rule.
Confirm before booking
- Whether a guide or ranger is needed for the walk to Sheldrick Falls
- Road conditions from the coast after rain
KenyaPlus does not yet hold verified data for these.
When to go
Rain affects travel in Kenya, especially on unpaved roads. Here is the yearly pattern and the current forecast for Shimba Hills National Reserve, both from the Kenya Meteorological Department.
- January: between the rains.
- February: between the rains.
- March: long rains.
- April: long rains.
- May: long rains, expected peak.
- June: between the rains.
- July: between the rains.
- August: between the rains.
- September: between the rains.
- October: short rains.
- November: short rains.
- December: short rains.
- Long rains
- Short rains
- Between the rains
- Expected peak (2026 outlook)
A summary of Kenya's national rainfall pattern from the Kenya Meteorological Department: long rains March to May (with the peak in April inland and May on the coast, as KMD expected for 2026) and short rains October to December. Other months are shown as between the rains. Rain varies by year and place, and between-the-rains months can still be wet.
Forecast: October–December 2026
For Kwale County, the Kenya Meteorological Department expects above-average rainfall in October–December 2026, with rains starting in the 2nd to 3rd week of October and ending in the 1st to 2nd week of December.
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
A seasonal forecast, not a guarantee. KMD also issues monthly and weekly updates.
Kenya's rainy seasons
March to May is the main rainfall season — the “long rains” — over most parts of Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSources: Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2026 season (KMD/FCST/01-2026/SO/01) (opens in a new tab); Kenya Meteorological Department: Climate outlook for the 'Long Rains' (March–May) 2025 season (KMD/FCST/01-2025/SO/01) (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
For the 2026 long rains, the Kenya Meteorological Department expected the peak in April over most regions, and in May along the coast.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
October to December brings the “short rains”, a major rainfall season in Kenya.
Information status: VerifiedSource: Kenya Meteorological Department (opens in a new tab) · checked 23 Oct 2026
More in our guide: Best time to visit Kenya.
Park entry fees
Information status: VerifiedShimba Hills National Reserve — daily entry
Per person, per 24 hours. Children under 6 enter free.
| Visitor | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|
| East African citizen | KES 500 | KES 250 |
| Kenya resident | KES 675 | KES 350 |
| African citizen | USD 20 | USD 10 |
| Non-resident / foreign visitor | USD 50 | USD 25 |
Official KWS tariff "Conservation Fees 2025", supplied by the KenyaPlus owner and checked on 17 Oct 2026.
- Listed by KWS with the scenic parks and reserves.
- Entry is charged per person and is valid for one visit of up to 24 hours.
- Children aged five and younger enter free; the child rate covers ages 5–17, and students up to 23 on an organised visit from their school or college.
- Kenyan citizens aged 70 and over and persons with disability are exempt.
- Vehicle charges are extra (from KES 600 a day for a vehicle with fewer than 6 seats), as are camping and activities.
Guides for Shimba Hills National Reserve
Shimba Hills: rainforest and sable antelope near the coast
A green, hilly reserve 30 km from Mombasa — Kenya's last breeding sable antelope, Sheldrick Falls and coastal rainforest.
Where next from Shimba Hills National Reserve
Close by
Photo: FredD · CC BY-SA 3.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Diani Beachunder 1 h by road (estimate)
Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Mombasaabout 1 h by road (estimate)
Photo: N Beenay · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Watamuabout 3 h by road (estimate)
.jpg){kind=link}
If you like Shimba Hills National Reserve
Photo: Bett Duncan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
NaivashaAlso good for hiking, wildlife, family
Photo: Matteo Frigo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Aberdare National ParkAlso good for wildlife, hiking
Photo: Galkey · CC BY-SA 4.0 · original
Resized to 1,920 px wide and metadata removed; displayed cropped to fit. All photo credits
Mount KenyaAlso good for hiking, wildlife
Thinking of visiting Shimba Hills National Reserve?
Add it to a plan and run the Trip Reality Check.
Sources
- Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) — About Shimba Hills National Reserve (checked 24 Oct 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Tell us — we check corrections against the source before changing anything.