The Shimba Hills National Reserve is a small National Reserve in the former 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 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 and the
Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary has been established in the north to provide a route
for elephants to leave the park. The park boundary has been fenced to prevent the
elephants from invading farmlands while plans are underway for Kenya Wildlife
Service to relocate to relocate elephants from Shimba to Tsavo East National Park .
Other animal species found in the area are Sable antelope, elephant shrew, bushy tailed
mongoose and other small mammals like fruit bats. The scenic Sheldrick Falls and the
dense Mwaluganje Forest are also found here.
