2 Day Shimba Hills & Mwaluganje Sanctuary Safari

This 2-Day/1 Night safari from Mombasa explores the coastal rainforest of Shimba Hills National Reserve and the community-managed Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary, which serves as a vital migration corridor for elephants. 

2-Day Shimba Hills & Mwaluganje Safari from Mombasa Highlights 

✓ Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary: close-up viewing of elephants in their natural habitat, often within dramatic hilly terrain
✓ Unique Biodiversity & Geology: Sightings of rare Roan and Sable Antelopes, indigenous flora, ancient baobab trees, and 300-million-year-old Dinosaur Cycads
✓ Sheldrick Falls Walk: A guided hike (approx. 2 hours) through tropical forest leading to a spectacular 25-meter waterfall, where you can swim in the natural plunge pool
✓ Game Drives: Scenic drives to hotspots like Buffalo Ridge for wildlife viewing and Giriama Point for panoramic views of the coastal plains and distant Usambara Mountains
✓ Cultural Experience & Birding: A visit to the Kaya Mtae sacred forest and interaction with the local Duruma community. The area is also a hotspot for birdwatchers, including species like the crowned eagle
✓ Sundowners and Accommodation: An overnight stay at a scenic lodge (Shimba Rainforest Lodge) offers opportunities to view wildlife at a waterhole and to relax in the cooler, elevated climate of the hills
✓ Shimba Hills National Reserve: As one of the largest coastal forests in East Africa, it is a haven for wildlife, including endangered Sable antelopes, giraffes, buffaloes, baboons, and colobus monkeys
✓ Bird-watching safari through the Shimba Hills National Reserve and Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary offers access to over 300 bird species. This coastal forest ecosystem is renowned for its endemic species, such as the Fischer’s turaco, and rare birds of prey like the Southern banded snake eagle

2-Days /1 Night Shimba Hills National Reserve & Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Safari from Mombasa 

Day 1: Shimba Hills National Reserve & Sheldrick Falls Visit

0630 Hours – 0700 Hours | Departure: Pick-up from your hotel in Mombasa or Diani Beach
0800 Hours – 1000 Hours | Morning Game Drive: Enter through the Shimba Gate. Explore the tropical rainforest for the rare Sable Antelope, elephants, and giraffes
1000 Hours – 1230 Hours | Sheldrick Falls Hike: A guided 45-minute trek (strenuous walk back up) to the 25-meter high falls, where you can swim in the natural plunge pool
1300 Hours – 1530 Hours | Lunch & Relaxation: Check into your lodge for lunch. Shimba Hills Lodge is a popular “tree lodge” choice overlooking a waterhole
1600 Hours – 1800 Hours | Afternoon Game Drive: Head back into the reserve when animals are most active. Visit the Marere Viewpoint for views of the Indian Ocean 
1830 Hours – 1930 Hours | Sundowner & Dinner: Watch the sunset over the Usambara Mountains before dinner at the lodge

Day 2: Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Game Drive

0630 Hours – 0830 Hours | Dawn Game Drive: Early morning exploration in Shimba Hills to spot leopards or forest birds 
0900 Hours – 1000 Hours | Breakfast & Check-out: Return to the lodge for breakfast and finalize check-out
1030 Hours – 1230 Hours | Mwaluganje Game Drive: Drive approximately 45–60 minutes to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. Explore the baobab-dotted landscape and look for elephant herds
1300 Hours – 1400  Hours | Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a lodge within the sanctuary, such as Mwaluganje Elephant Camp 
1430 Hours – 1630 Hours | Scenic Views & Cultural Interaction: Visit “God’s Bridge” or “Time Rock” and learn about the sanctuary’s community conservation efforts.
1700 Hours | Departure: Begin the return journey to your hotel

Important Information

What to Pack:
✓ Swimsuit: For the lodge pool
✓ Hat & Sunglasses: Wide-brimmed hat for sun protection
✓ Binoculars: Essential for spotting the famous sable antelope
✓ Insect Repellent: To protect against mosquitoes and Tsetse flies
✓ Comfortable hiking shoes for Sheldrick Falls, swimwear, and insect repellent
✓ Layers: A light sweater or jacket for early morning/evening, as it can get chilly
✓ Neutral Clothing: Breathable shirts and trousers in beige, tan, or khaki to blend with the environment

Day 1: Mombasa – Drive to Shimba Hills National Reserve

0830 Hours: Depart in the morning from your Beach Hotel or residence to the Shimba Hills National Reserve

1030 Hours: Upon arrival at the park, proceed to enjoy a mid-morning Game Drive. Wildlife species include:
Predators: Leopard (rarely seen), hyena, side-striped jackal, and serval cat
Primates: Angola colobus, black-faced vervet monkey, Sykes’ monkey, and yellow baboon
Other Mammals: African elephant (high density), bushy-tailed mongoose, and white-tailed mongoose
Antelopes & Herbivores: Rare Sable antelope, Masai giraffe, buffalo, waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, Coke’s hartebeest, warthog, and various duikers (blue, red, and black-fronted)

In addition, the park has over 200 species, including rare and endangered birds like Fischer’s Turaco, Sokoke Pipit, Southern Banded Snake Eagle, and Spotted Ground Thrush. The reserve features a high concentration of raptors, including African Crowned Eagles, and is a vital sanctuary for forest-dependent species

The landscape in Shimba Hills Game Reserve is diverse and ranges from the dry baobab bushland to the moist deciduous forest on the hills and the riverine forest along the streams

Shimba Hills National Reserve attractions & activities include:

Sable Antelope Sanctuary: The primary attraction, providing refuge to the rare, majestic Sable antelope
Game Drives: Home to over 500 elephants, along with giraffes, buffalo, leopards, and black-and-white colobus monkeys
Sheldrick Falls: A popular 2km guided walking trail leads to this waterfall, which cascades over a rock face into a plunge pool
Scenic Viewpoints: Giriama Point and other viewpoints offer breathtaking, panoramic views of the coastal landscape and ocean
Nature Walks & Hiking: Guided walking safaris are available, particularly to the waterfalls, often scheduled at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m

1230 Hours: Drive to your hotel, check in, and lunch follows

1530 Hours: Enjoy another afternoon game drive.

1830 Hours: Arrive back at your hotel/ Residence

Accommodation Options:
Luxury Accommodation: Shimba Hills Lodge
Mid-Range Accommodation: Shimba Hills Green Lodge
Budget Accommodation: Sable Bandas (KWS): Rustic self-catering bandas 

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

Day 2: Shimba Hills National Reserve – Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary – Mombasa

0630 Hours – 0830 Hours Dawn Game Drive: Early morning exploration in Shimba Hills to spot leopards or forest birds. Breakfast & Check-out: Return to the lodge for breakfast and finalize check-out. Drive approximately 45–60 minutes to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary.

Explore the baobab-dotted landscape and look for elephant herds. Later, we will enjoy a picnic lunch within the sanctuary. Mid-afternoon visit “God’s Bridge” or “Time Rock” and learn about the sanctuary’s community conservation efforts.

Later begin the return journey to Mombasa. Arrive back at your hotel/ residence at 1900 Hours.

Meal Plan: {Lunch & Dinner}

 2 Day Shimba Hills & Mwaluganje Sanctuary safari from Mombasa Rates Include

✓2 Extensive Game drives
✓ Mineral water during the tour
✓ All meals included while on safari
✓ Professional experienced driver guide
✓ All applicable Game Park entrance fees
✓ Guaranteed window seating with open top
✓ Safari vehicles carry cold drinks and mineral water
✓ Round-trip transport from Mombasa to Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary
✓ Accommodations of your choice in Mwaluganje or Shimba Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

2 Day Shimba Hills & Mwaluganje Sanctuary safari from Mombasa Rates Exclude

✘ International Airfare
✘ Accommodation in Mombasa
✘ Cost of obtaining a passport and visas
✘ Gratuity for your professional driver guide
✘ Sundowner bush cocktails and bush dinner
✘ Gratuity for porters/ waiters at hotels, camps, and airports
✘ Personal expenses such as transfers to/ from the airport (supplement airport transfer cost applies for tours starting from the airport)
✘ Personal expenses such as traveling insurance, excess baggage fee, communication charges that include laundry, emails, faxes, and phone calls beverages including luxury champagne, luxury spirits, beer, wines during meals or meals not indicated in the itinerary

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