Shimba Hills National Reserve
The Shimba Hills National Reserve is an area
of coastal rainforest, woodland and grassland located less than
30 kilometers away from Kenya's Coastal city/town of Mombasa in
the Kwale region of Coast Province. Shimba Hills National
Reserve was established in 1968 and the park features coastal
bush land, riverine forests and grasslands and its main
attraction is the sable antelope, which can only be seen here in
the whole of Kenya.
The ecosystem holds one of the largest coastal forests in East
Africa after Arabuko-Sokoke forest.
The reserve is rich in flora and fauna and hosts the highest
density of African elephant in Kenya. Other animal species found
in the area are Sable antelope, black and rufous elephant shrew,
bushy tailed mongoose and other small mammals like fruit bat.
The forest is an important bird area and is endowed with forest
birdlife while the grasslands hold localized species such as
red-necked-Spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola and Zanzibar Red Bishop.
The reserve is also home to a number of other wildlife species
such as the elephant, bush pig, waterbuck, reedbuck, warthog and
the roan antelope which was recently introduced. The famous
Sheldrick Falls can also be found here ( 25m high ).
Guided forest walks are available from the Sheldrick Falls
ranger station. There is a swimming hole and picnic area at the
scenic Sheldrick Falls on the Machemwana River. |
