Shimba Hills National Reserve

A 450-m-high hill that offers a magnificent view of the surrounding landscape. On a clear day the Tsavo plains, the ocean and also the Mount Kilimanjaro can be seen.

One of the main attractions to the Shimba Hills is the impressive Sheldrick Falls, which cascade 25 m over the escarpment. There is a scenic but exhausting 2-km footpath that is quite steep and takes up to an hour to walk each way (not suitable for people with reduced mobility). Take a hat, sunscreen and water to drink and keep a sharp lookout for elephants. A ranger will accompany hikers without charge from 10AM-3PM daily. Sheldrick Falls is an idyllic spot for a cool swim and a picnic.

The park has the last breeding herd of beautiful sable antelope in Kenya. They are among Kenya's largest antelope, with black coats and long, scimitar-shaped horns, which they were hunted for. They may be seen grazing early or late in the day around Buffalo Ridge.

There are more than 600 elephants in the park and a fenced elephant corridor links the park with the elephant sanctuary at Mwaluganje Forest. In addition to elephants, there are also buffalo, waterbucks, hyenas, warthogs, leopards, baboons and monkeys. Maasai giraffes and ostriches have also been reintroduced to the park.

There are many birds, including 111 recorded species. There are even more birds to be seen during the spring migration. Bird shooting is only permitted outside the reserve.

Some unique things to do at Shimba Hills National Park include taking a guided night drive. You may see leopards and cheetahs, and will certainly hear the hyenas howl in the eerie darkness. You can also buy a unique souvenir at the gates, a paper that is handmade from elephant dung!