National park · Kenya
Shimba Hills National Reserve
Spend a half‑day at Shimba Hills: drive the main road loop and walk the 2 km (1.2 mi) Sheldrick Falls trail (≈1 h) for under KES 600 total; skip longer hikes if time is limited.Spend a half‑day at Shimba Hills: drive the main road loop and walk the 1.2 mi (2 km) Sheldrick Falls trail (≈1 h) for under KES 600 total; skip longer hikes if time is limited.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
approximate
Established
1903
Best months
Dec–Mar
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 11Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a mult…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- East Africa ↗Carry the yellow fever certificate on every leg of a multi-country trip: Uganda and Burundi check it for all arrivals, and a stop in Kenya or Ethiopia makes the next border ask for it.
- East Africa ↗Advice for Ethiopia, Somaliland, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan and the Congo border areas can change within days; read your government's page the week you fly and before every regional flight.
- East Africa ↗Price park, reserve and permit fees before comparing lodges: they are charged per person per day, often with VAT, and are fixed whatever bed you choose.
- Kenya ↗Apply for the Kenya eTA only on the official portal (etakenya.go.ke) at least 3 working days before you fly; lookalike sites charge double. Most African passports have been exempt since 2025.
- Kenya ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead; ask about malaria prevention and check whether a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for your route, including transits.
- Kenya ↗Plastic carrier bags are banned; leave shop and duty-free plastic bags behind before you fly in.
- Kenya ↗Light aircraft to the parks have strict baggage limits, usually soft-sided bags only and a low total weight (often around 15 kg); confirm the limit with your operator and leave a hard case in Nairobi.
- Coastal Kenya ↗Kenya requires an eTA for most visitors; file it at least a week before flying.
- Coastal Kenya ↗Reef beaches have big tides; check tide tables before planning snorkelling or diving.
At a glance
- Country
- Kenya
- Area
- 240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
- Approximately 240 km² (24,000 ha) of coastal forest, woodland and grassland (check official KWS source).
- Established
- 1903
- Best months
- Dec–Mar
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Mombasa
Shimba Hills National Reserve protects one of East Africa's largest coastal rainforests, hosting a high density of elephants, the country's only sable antelope herd, and rich plant diversity, while offering short walks to waterfalls and viewpoints accessible from the main gate.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1903.
Size and age
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²) · national park since 1903
Approximately 240 km² (24,000 ha) of coastal forest, woodland and grassland (check official KWS source).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Mombasa.
Why go
- Coastal rainforest with high plant diversity and a dense elephant population.
- Sheldrick Falls offers a short, scenic waterfall walk within the forest.
- Birdwatching and chance to see sable antelope in a forest setting.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulGo
- AugGo
- SepGo
- OctCaution
- NovCaution
- DecBest
- JanDry, cool mornings.
- FebDry, pleasant.
- MarEnd of dry season.
- AprStart of long rains.
- MayLong rains, trails slippery.
- JunShort dry spell.
- JulShort dry spell.
- AugShort dry spell.
- SepShort dry spell.
- OctShort rains begin.
- NovShort rains.
- DecDry, cool.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elephants (high density)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Sable antelopeAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Birds (including migratory species)Mar–May, Oct–Nov | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Mombasa
Drive south on Likoni‑Ukunda road, turn inland at Kombani Junction and continue ~19 km (12 mi) to the gate.Drive south on Likoni‑Ukunda road, turn inland at Kombani Junction and continue ~12 mi (19 km) to the gate.
1–1.5 h
Open the page →
From Diani Beach
Road via Ukunda, then inland ~31 km (19 mi) to the gate.Road via Ukunda, then inland ~19 mi (31 km) to the gate.
45 min–1 h
Open the page →
From Nairobi
Fly to Mombasa (or take SGR to Mombasa) then road transfer as above.
≈5 h total
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate area | Visitor centre, ticket office, vehicle entry point. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Sheldrick Falls trailhead | Start of the 2 km (1.2 mi) waterfall walk, ranger‑guided free from 10 AM‑3 PM.Start of the 1.2 mi (2 km) waterfall walk, ranger‑guided free from 10 AM‑3 PM. | Accessible on foot from gate road. |
| Pengo Hill viewpoint | High hill with coastal panorama. | Drive to parking, short walk to summit. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central reserve location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (gate) | KES 300 | person | Check current rate with KWS. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Speed limit
- Maximum 40 km/h (25 mph) on reserve roads.Maximum 25 mph (40 km/h) on reserve roads.
- Wildlife distance
- Stay at least 20 m from all animals.
- Off‑road driving
- Prohibited; stay on designated roads.
- Night drive
- Only with a KWS‑approved guide.
- Plastic ban
- Single‑use plastics not allowed in the reserve.
Where to stay
In the park
Shimba Hills Lodge
Tree‑lodge with waterhole views, meals included.
In the park
Sable Cottages (KWS)
Basic self‑catering cabins near the gate.
In the park
KWS public campsites
Basic campsites with toilets and water points; bring own gear.
Safety
Elephants crossing roads high
Slippery trails after rain medium
Heat and humidity medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Vehicle access to main gate and Pengo Hill is paved; falls trail is steep and not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Bring reusable water bottles; single‑use plastics banned.
- Do not feed wildlife; keep food sealed at campsites.
- Support local lodges that follow KWS conservation guidelines.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Shimba Hills National Reserve?
Entry is about KES 300 per adult (check current rate at the gate).
What are the best hikes in Shimba Hills National Reserve?
The Sheldrick Falls trail (2 km, ~1 h) is the most accessible; Pengo Hill offers a short drive‑up view; longer forest walks require a guide.
When is the best time to visit Shimba Hills National Reserve?
Dry months Jan–Mar and Jun–Sep give the best wildlife viewing and trail conditions.
Can I camp inside Shimba Hills?
Yes, at KWS‑managed public campsites; bring all gear and follow wildlife safety rules.
Is a guide required for the falls walk?
A ranger guides the falls trail free of charge from 10 AM‑3 PM; no extra permit needed.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go