Destination guide
Shimba Hills: rainforest and sable antelope near the coast
Reviewed 24 Oct 2026 · Each statement is labelled.
The reserve
Shimba Hills National Reserve covers 192.5 km² in Kwale County, about 30 km south-west of Mombasa town. It has been protected since 1903.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Rolling hills meet one of Kenya's largest remaining coastal rainforests.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
The reserve holds Kenya's last breeding herd of the critically endangered sable antelope.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Sheldrick Falls is one of the reserve's attractions, and the Kenya Wildlife Service lists guided hikes among the things to do.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Several forest reserves adjoin it, among them the Mwaluganje forest reserve of about 17 km².
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Getting there
By road the reserve is about 37 km from Mombasa town, crossing at Likoni and going by way of Ukunda.
Source: Kenya Wildlife Service (opens in a new tab) · checked 24 Oct 2026
Being close to the south coast, Shimba Hills works as a day trip from Diani — start early to walk before the heat of the day.
KenyaPlus planning advice, not from an official source.
The table below shows KenyaPlus road-time estimates to one point in the reserve.
Worked out as described under the table: from openrouteservice road routes plus an allowance for stops where KenyaPlus holds them, otherwise straight-line distance × 1.3 at an assumed 50 km/h average, including stops. Times run to an approximate point in the reserve.
Confirm before you travel
- Reserve entry fees and payment methods with the Kenya Wildlife Service
- Whether a ranger or guide is needed for the walk to Sheldrick Falls
- The Likoni ferry crossing time if you're coming from Mombasa
Ready to plan?
Turn this into a day-by-day 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)