Beyond the serene sandy beaches of Mombasa, elephants and sable antelopes leisurely patrol the gently rolling and one of the largest coastal rain forest of Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale County. This reserve has the last breeding herd of the rare sable antelope in Kenya. The vanishing rain forest antelopes are on the priority list of nationally endangered species in Kenya and the organization is keen on seeing that a national conservation strategy is developed to guide all efforts to conserve the species for posterity. Sable antelopes are highly matriarchal in their social structure and congregate in herds of 15 to 20 individuals and the most dominant female in the herd becomes their leader.
A cocktail of wildlife species teems the hills and valleys of this huge forest. Elephants in the park move around freely through a corridor that links the park to the elephant sanctuary at Mwaluganje Forest. The sanctuary was established to reduce human wildlife conflicts and shares a boundary with the reserve thus providing the elephants with a migration corridor. Be on the lookout for the endangered and are sable antelopes (a rare antelope that is unique to this reserve) giraffes, buffalos, reedbucks, waterbucks, elephants, bush pigs, leopards, baboons, hyena, primates and ostrich.
A wide variety of birds has also been recorded during the spring migration. Migrant species include; European cuckoos, lesser cuckoos and the Eurasian golden oriole. Birds of prey include; African crowned eagle. Other notable birds of prey are the stocky Ayre’s hawk eagle a rare forest species and the southern banded snake eagle. The migratory Eurasian honey buzzard and crepuscular bat hawk are periodically present. The scavenging palm-nut vulture also frequents the park for the oil palm fruits.
The best places to view game are on the flat grasslands near the spectacular Sheldrick Falls and on the Lango plains near Giriama point with a tremendous view over rolling parkland to the escarpment, from where views of the Indian Ocean are a remarkable sight. There are short walking trails at the Elephant Lookout, Pengo Hills and the falls. Visitors can enjoy game viewing, bird watching, hiking, camping and picnicking. After conquering the hiking trails, a dip down the foot of the Sheldrick falls promises rejuvenation and refreshment.
