Top Shimba Hills Tours: Safaris, Views & Cruises Explored

Dreaming of seeing elephants with the ocean as a backdrop? Perhaps spotting a sable antelope is more your thing? That is to say, you might be keen on experiencing the heart of Kenyan wildlife, just a stone’s throw from the coast. Shimba Hills National Reserve is where those dreams very, very much come to life, offering a superb mix of wildlife action and beautiful landscapes. But where do you even begin to plan that trip, and how do you get the absolute most out of this wildlife haven? Do not worry, it’s totally covered with this look at five excellent ways to get to know Shimba Hills!

1. Classic Safari Drive: Explore the Heart of Shimba

What’s more, if you want an authentic wildlife experience, it pretty much always starts with a good old-fashioned safari drive. Usually, that is where you hop into a sturdy 4×4, which then you set off into the bush with a skilled guide who’s just loaded with information about pretty much everything. A good guide can really, actually point out those camouflaged leopards you probably would have driven right past, as I was saying, they will help you to, in a way, understand the different animal behaviors. Shimba Hills might not be as sprawling as the Maasai Mara, yet it still holds a brilliant array of wildlife.

So, what can you see, you ask? As a matter of fact, it’s more like what *won’t* you see! Very much expect large herds of elephants (Shimba is like your elephant paradise!), giraffes reaching for the treetops, plus the elusive sable antelope that are almost unique to this place. As a matter of fact, they’re kind of the stars of Shimba. As a matter of fact, you will also find buffalo, maybe some smaller predators, that is to say, loads of birds— it is quite a birder’s heaven if you know what to look for, too. That is to say, most safari drives last about three to four hours and, in a way, give you the chance to soak it all up, so it is very worth setting aside time for this one.

Read our full review: Shimba Hills Safari Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Book Your Safari Drive)

2. Walking Safari: Get Close to Nature

Okay, now how about slowing things right down and truly using your feet for a while, right? Instead, you get on one of Shimba’s walking safaris. That is to say, walking safaris do provide a quite different perspective than just being in a vehicle. You get to almost notice the smaller stuff which you’d probably miss zooming by and, in some respects, the sounds, too. They totally surround you, which actually brings this alive in ways a vehicle sometimes can’t.

You are with armed guides, so it is totally safe, even around large animals. First, the guide can teach you lots on local flora, maybe about tracking, so too what the various animal calls truly mean. That is to say, most trails take roughly two to three hours, as I was saying, that makes it pretty manageable even if you’re really, actually not super outdoors-y. Arguably, the guides adapt pretty well depending on people’s fitness levels, too, so don’t let being not ‘that fit’ stop you at all!

Read our full review: Shimba Hills Walking Safari Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Walking Safaris)

3. Sheldrick Falls Hike: A Waterfall Oasis

So, who’s feeling up for an invigorating hike with a lovely prize that very much waits at the end? Arguably, the trek to Sheldrick Falls must really be one of the best things you are almost able to do within Shimba Hills. As a matter of fact, the path which goes down is lush, shaded pretty well, and too, offers wonderful chances to see loads more birds, plus maybe a monkey or two that sneak around. Typically, the hike itself goes for around two hours or slightly more, depending mostly on pace— keep in mind that going down is always so much faster than coming back up!

Arriving at the falls? Absolutely rewarding. So you find yourself, essentially, with water plunging perhaps fifteen meters into this very cool, clear pool. It is so refreshing. Make sure you really bring that swimsuit; what’s more, have a fantastic dip if you would like to. The waters truly have healing powers after that hike! Basically, for photography fans out there— honestly, this place truly has ‘photo op’ sort of plastered on it! That is to say, keep your gear rather dry, even.

Read our full review: Sheldrick Falls Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Hike to Sheldrick Falls)

4. Shimba Hills Lodge: An Elevated Stay

What’s more, if you would really want to experience Shimba Hills through day trips from Mombasa it is not really that wrong, that is to say, staying right at the Shimba Hills Lodge gives you a bit more of that immersive feeling. This really wonderful treehouse is unlike somewhere you stay at any other wildlife park, mainly because, rather than sitting simply alongside it, basically, you are totally in there. As a matter of fact, it actually overlooks this active waterhole that then draws many kinds of animals throughout both day and night, right there.

Watching elephants arriving really close is cool as heck from where you are casually seated. And also sable antelopes as they carefully move on by? Truly very incredible. The lodge is that comfortable as well, the cooking actually holds up very well, offering that necessary relaxation after quite a very busy safari time. To be honest, staying that single night up there truly boosts up a normal park outing onto the more amazing experience shelf.

Read our full review: Shimba Hills Lodge Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Stay at Shimba Hills Lodge)

5. Bird Watching Tour: A Paradise for Birders

Maybe if you happen to be that keen bird watcher then you just need to remember that Shimba Hills just might, almost, be close to paradise for you, that is to say, it has this wonderful combination of environment and forest. The mix there then truly draws so many kinds of bird species. I mean we can very much talk like vibrant African pygmy-kingfishers to those majestic crowned eagles— very incredible.

Consider grabbing one of the local birding guides, because these almost always know all their spots. With this assistance you can essentially expect spotting perhaps nearly all the key birds without wandering endlessly aimlessly through bushes; they basically hear them long before everyone else. The perfect periods seem usually very early, just before those sunbeams strike. Remember to bring binoculars— the greater, maybe, the greater!

Read our full review: Shimba Hills Bird Watching Full Review and Details

See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Join a Bird Watching Tour)