SHIMBA HILLS

 

The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a small National Reserve in the Coast Province of Kenya, 33 km from Mombasa and 15 km from the coast. The reserve is an area of coastal rainforest, woodland and grassland. It is an important area for plant biodiversity – over 50% of the 159 rare plants in Kenya are found in the Shimba Hills, including some endangered species of cycad and orchids. It is also a nationally important site for birds and butterflies.

There are estimated to be approximately 700 elephants in the reserve. This population is unsustainably high – it causes significant damage to vegetation, threatening the endangered plant life. Conflict between humans and elephants has also reached critical levels. North of the Reserve, the Mwaluganje elephant sanctuary has been established to provide a route for elephants to leave the park. The remainder of the park boundary is fenced to prevent the elephants from invading farmland. The Kenya Wildlife Service has plans to relocate up to 400 elephants from Shimba to Tsavo East National Park in 2005.

Shimba Hills contains Kenya's only population of Sable Antelope. There are about 100 in the park.

The gates to access the park include kivumoni, shimba Gate,kidongo and the Main gate.

The wildlife at the park comprises of Bush Duiker,  Greater Galago, Vervet Monkey, Red Duiker, white  and black Colobus, Blue Duiker, Waterbuck, Bush pig, Buffalo, Giraffes, Leopard, Genet, Hyenas,the Endangered Sable Antelope, Elephants.

There are over 100 bird species at the reserve these include ; Falcon, Cuckoo,Guinea-fowl, Quail, Blue Sunbird, Uluguru, , Ostrich Eagle, African Hawk and much more.There are also reptiles present at the park ;Geckos,cobraz,pythons and more.

You can set up camp at four different campsites ;These are Sheldrick Falls Walk, Ocean view, Professional and Makadara.You can stay at the Shimba Hills Lodge or at the Sable Bandas which is provided by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

References Wikipedia and KWS