Shimba Hills National Reserve

Sable Antelope Sanctuary – Shimba Hills

The Shimba Hills National Reserve, on Kenya’s south coast, is a remarkable birding and wildlife hotspot. Known for its rolling hills and plateaus, it stands out from the coastal lowland forests and resembles the famed Eastern Arc Mountains. The hills form the first barrier to moist Indian Ocean winds, creating a stable montane forest environment that supports a wealth of biodiversity.

Shimba Hills hosts the highest density of African Elephants in Kenya, making it a prime conservation area. It is also the only reserve in Kenya with a thriving population of Sable Antelope, for which the grasslands were incorporated into the reserve. Other unique mammals here include the restricted Black-and-rufous Elephant Shrew and a distinctive race of the Bushy-tailed Mongoose.            

Reptiles and Amphibians

Shimba Hills is among the richest herpetological regions in Kenya, rivaling Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, Kakamega Forest, and the Taita Hills.

• 89 reptile species occur here (47 snakes, 39 lizards, 1 terrapin, 1 tortoise, and 1 crocodile).
• 38 amphibians, including 36 frogs and 2 caecilians, thrive in the ecosystem.

Endemics include:

• Forest Spiny Reed Frog (endangered)
• Shimba Hills Reed Frog (endemic and endangered)
• Sagalla Caecilian (range-restricted and little known).

The reserve’s proximity to the coast ensures a stable climate, allowing this exceptional diversity to flourish.   

Plants

With 1,100 recorded plant taxa, Shimba Hills is a center of plant diversity. About 280 species are endemic, and nearly 20% are considered rare either in Kenya or globally, making the reserve a vital refuge for plant conservation.     

Butterflies

Butterfly enthusiasts will find Shimba Hills captivating, with around 295 recorded species—roughly 35% of Kenya’s butterfly fauna. Highlights include the rare Aubyn Rogers Acraea and the endemic Shimba Mountain Charaxes.

Shimba Hills Birding

The Shimba Hills forest is one of Kenya’s finest coastal birding destinations. The reserve shelters a rich mix of forest specialists, grassland birds, and coastal endemics, making it a must-visit on the Coastal Kenya birding circuit.

The forest supports three threatened species, two restricted-range species, and 18 of Kenya’s 30 East Coast biome species. Grasslands provide habitat for localized birds such as the Red-necked Spurfowl, Croaking Cisticola, and Zanzibar Red Bishop.

Other birds of interest here include:

• Southern Banded Snake Eagle
• Fischer’s Turaco
• Spotted Ground Thrush
• Sokoke Pipit
• East Coast Akalat
• Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird
• Plain-backed Sunbird

Other notable sightings include the Green-headed Oriole and sought-after Afrotropical migrants, such as the African Pitta, Mangrove Kingfisher, Forbes-Watson’s Swift, and the elusive Spotted Ground Thrush. From October to April, migratory birds swell the list, offering birders an even more diverse spectacle.

While November and April bring peak rainfall, these periods can be rewarding for spotting certain rarities. Photography opportunities are excellent year-round, thanks to the diverse habitats that range from forests and grasslands to woodland edges.

Notable Birds of Shimba Hills National Reserve

• Southern-banded Snake Eagle
• Red-necked Spurfowl
• Fischer’s Turaco
• Green-headed Oriole
• Mangrove Kingfisher
• Coastal, Croaking, and Short-winged Cisticolas
• Green Tinkerbird, White-eared Barbet, Green Barbet
• Spotted Ground Thrush
• East Coast Akalat
• Plain-backed Sunbird
• Sokoke Pipit
• Uluguru Violet-backed Sunbird
• Lesser and Madagascar Cuckoos
• Tiny Greenbul
• Eastern Bearded Scrub-Robin
• African Pitta

eBird Hotspot link