The Shimba Hills National Reserve was gazetted as a National Forest in 1903, grassland areas were incorporated in 1924 and several subsequent extensions took place to bring the Reserve to its present size. In 1968 most of the Reserve was double gazetted as the Shimba Hills National Reserve. Two smaller areas to the west adjoining the reserve and almost entirely forested remain as Forest Reserves; Mkongani North and Mkongani West Forest Reserve. A fenced elephant corridor connects the Shimba Hills with Mwaluganje Forest Reserve to the North.
The Shimba hills are a dissected plateau that ascends steeply from the coastal plains, 30 km south west of Mombasa and just south of Kwale town. The surrounding escarpment rises from around 120m to 300m across the bulk of the plateau and as high as 450m at Marare and Pengo hills. The underlying rocks are the Triassic Shimba Grits and in the north central part near Kwale town Pliecone Magarini sands. Rivers flowing from the hills supply fresh water to Mombasa and the Diani/Ukunda area.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
- Scenic landscape comprising of hills and valleys extending beyond the reserve boundaries
- Sheldricks Falls
- Sable antelope
- Coastal rainforest
- Potential for bird-shooting outside the Reserve
MAJOR WILDLIFE
Roan Antelope, Buffalo, Elephant, Leopards, Lion, Monkeys, i.
MAJOR BIRDLIFE
Eagle, African Hawk, Falcon, Cuckoo; Guinea-fowl, Hornbill