Shimba Hills Wildlife Guide: Sable Antelope, Elephants, Coastal Forest and Birds
Shimba Hills National Reserve, inland from Kenya’s south coast, is the one place in the country where you can reliably see sable antelope, alongside elephants, buffalo, monkeys, leopards and coastal forest birds.
The reserve rises from the coastal plain into cooler hills of grassland, woodland and patches of rainforest, giving it a very different feel from the savannah parks of the interior. Mist and breezes often drift across the ridges in the early morning.
It is an excellent day trip from Diani or Mombasa, and a rewarding change from the beach.
This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.
At a glance
- Star species: Sable antelope
- Others: Elephants, buffalo, bushbuck, duikers
- Primates: Sykes’ monkeys, baboons
- Forest: Coastal rainforest and birds
- Setting: Cool hills above the coast
Habitats and Animals
| Habitat | What lives there |
|---|---|
| Open grassy ridges | Sable antelope, roan antelope, buffalo, elephants, bushbuck |
| Coastal rainforest | Monkeys, duikers, forest birds, butterflies, rare plants |
| Woodland and thicket | Leopards, bushpigs, small antelope, elephants |
| Streams and pools | Frogs, kingfishers, dragonflies, waterfalls |
Sable Antelope
Shimba Hills is famous for sable antelope, a striking species with long curved horns. Males are dark and females are chestnut brown. Herds graze on the grassy ridges, usually at a safe distance from the road, so binoculars are useful. Sable are among the reserve’s main conservation successes, and seeing them against the green hills is the highlight for many visitors. A smaller number of roan antelope have also been reintroduced.
Elephants and Buffalo
Elephants are a major presence here, and they share a landscape with neighbouring community areas, so human and wildlife needs have to be balanced. The adjacent Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary is part of the same system. Buffalo graze on the grasslands. Our elephant facts and where to see elephants page explains behaviour and viewing etiquette.
Forest Animals and Primates
The patches of coastal rainforest shelter Sykes’ monkeys, baboons, small antelope such as duikers and bushbuck, and secretive nocturnal animals. Leopards are present but rarely seen. Walking trails with a ranger bring you into the forest to look at plants, butterflies and frogs. See East Africa primates and gorillas for more on monkeys and apes in the region.
Birds and Plants
The reserve is rewarding for birders, particularly for species of coastal forest, along with raptors soaring over the ridges. The area is also known for a rich variety of plants, including some rare species found only in coastal Kenya and nearby regions. Plan a bird-focused visit using the East Africa birding guide.
Viewing Tips
Visit early, when mist and cool air bring animals into the open, and keep quiet near forest edges. Combine a morning at Shimba Hills with a relaxed afternoon on the coast; Diani Beach guide and Mombasa and the Kenyan coast guide offer ideas. Check the best time to visit too.
Planning a Uganda safari? Send us your dates and we will build the route, permits and transport around what you want to see.
Related Tours, Guides and Resources
- Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
- Uganda safari packages
- Uganda travel guide
- How to book a Uganda safari
- Plan your safari with our team
Itineraries That Include This Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Uganda Safari Pages
- Diani Beach in Kenya: Beaches, Activities and Safari Add-On
- Mombasa and the Kenyan Coast: Old Town, Fort Jesus, Beaches and Swahili Culture
- Primates in East Africa: Gorillas, Chimpanzees and Monkeys in Uganda and Rwanda
- Tsavo East and Tsavo West: Kenya's Largest Parks, Red Elephants and Mzima Springs
- Mikumi Wildlife Guide: Lions, Elephants, Giraffes and Hippos on the Mkata Floodplain
- Katavi Wildlife Guide: Hippos, Buffalo, Lions, Roan and Sable in Western Tanzania
- Mahale Mountains Wildlife Guide: Chimpanzees, Monkeys, Forest Birds and Lake Tanganyika Life
- Kenya Safari and Travel Guides: Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo, Samburu and the Coast
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