Green hills rolling away under a wide sky

Nobu / Kenya

Shimba Hills.

A green world in the hills above the sea, where the rare and the quiet still hold their ground.

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YOUR AFRICA, BEAUTIFULLY TOLD.

Travel stylePrivate & tailor-made

Start withYour dates and interests

Suggested paceFewer stops, more time

Your next stepA conversation with Nobu

The Nobu perspective

Shimba Hills,
at your pace.

Shimba Hills protects cool coastal rainforest and open glades above Kenya's south coast, within easy reach of Diani. Rare sable antelope, coastal elephant, butterflies, orchids and Sheldrick Falls create a green wildlife counterpoint to the nearby beach.

Forest tracks wind between misty canopy, grassland openings and viewpoints toward the Indian Ocean. Dense habitat makes wildlife more elusive than on open savannah, but the reserve's sable population gives it particular conservation significance.

A ranger-guided walk descends to Sheldrick Falls, while slower drives focus on birds, butterflies, orchids and coastal elephant signs. Walking and swimming access depend on current weather, ranger assessment, reserve rules and local conditions.

SHIMBA HILLS

What to experience

Things to do here

Wildlife

Game drives

Forest and glade drives in search of sable antelope, coastal elephants and plains game; the network of tracks winds through woodland and open viewpoints over the ocean.

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On foot

The walk to Sheldrick Falls

A guided forest walk down to a waterfall and swimming pool, one of the reserve's signature experiences; on foot, with a ranger

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A swallowtail butterfly on the Kenya coast near Mombasa

Wildlife

Butterfly and orchid spotting

The coastal rainforest is one of Kenya's richest for both; a slow, close-focus counterpoint to big-game viewing.

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Experience

Birding

The forest canopy and glades support a distinctive coastal-forest birdlife

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The view from the Sable Bandas viewpoint in Shimba Hills

Indian Ocean

Viewpoints over the coast

The hills give long views to the Indian Ocean, a rare vantage that ties the reserve to the sea below.

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Forested hills in Shimba Hills National Reserve

Indian Ocean

Day trip or overnight from the south coast

Shimba works beautifully as a half-day or overnight from Diani and Galu Beach, the bush chapter of a coastal stay.

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When to go

Best time to visit

Start with the season that suits the journey you want, then confirm conditions for your exact route.

A closer look at Shimba Hills

Jul / Individual planning

Your dates, your route

Start with your preferred month. Your designer will help match the season, chosen stays and connections to your route, interests and preferred pace.

January to March and July to October

The drier seasons

January to March and July to October are generally drier, bringing firmer forest tracks and more reliable conditions for the guided walk to Sheldrick Falls. Elevation keeps the reserve cooler and greener than the coast below.

April–May

The long rains

April to May brings long rains, while shorter November rains deepen the forest and strengthen the falls. Tracks and walking routes can become slippery, so access remains subject to current weather, reserve guidance and safety conditions.

1 place to stay

Where to stay

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1 stays · All stays

Signature
Shimba Hills / Kenya
Shimba Hills Lodge
lodge · forest
From USD 150per person per night · indicative
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Good to know

Know before you go

Getting there

Road and air connections depend on the wider route and current operations. Nobu confirms the suitable connection for your dates before approval.

Fees and permissions

Park, conservancy, community, activity or permit rules may apply. Nobu confirms the operative permissions and current fees in the approved quote.

Time and pace

The right stay depends on season, interests and onward routing. Nobu will recommend a pace for the individual journey rather than promise a fixed transfer or duration.

Shimba Hills National Reserve fees and entry rules

Good questions. Straight answers.

What wildlife can you see in Shimba Hills?

Shimba Hills is Kenya's last stronghold of the rare sable antelope, and holds coastal elephants, buffalo, giraffe and forest antelope, alongside colobus and Sykes' monkeys, a rich birdlife, and some of Kenya's finest butterflies and orchids.

Why is Shimba Hills special for sable antelope?

It is the only place in Kenya with a wild population of sable antelope, making the reserve their last national stronghold — the single reason many wildlife travellers seek Shimba out.

Can you do Shimba Hills as a day trip from Diani?

Transfer time depends on the selected route, traffic, road conditions and current operations. Nobu will confirm the appropriate connection for the approved itinerary.

What is the walk to Sheldrick Falls?

A guided forest walk with a ranger down to a waterfall and natural swimming pool inside the reserve — one of Shimba's signature experiences and a highlight of its coastal-rainforest setting.

Is Shimba Hills worth visiting with the beach?

Very much so. Shimba is a cool, green rainforest counterpoint to the south coast's beaches, letting you combine bush and beach within a short drive rather than a long transfer inland.

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