Sable antelope, Sheldrick Falls, just 45 minutes from Diani
Shimba Hills National Reserve is the easiest serious wildlife experience from Diani Beach — 45 minutes by road, and then you're in 300 square kilometres of coastal rainforest, grassland and waterfalls. The park is small, peaceful, and home to the only viable Kenyan population of sable antelope.
It's a perfect contrast to a beach week: a half-day or full-day immersion into a totally different ecosystem from Tsavo or the Mara. You see elephants in dense forest rather than open savannah. You hike to a waterfall through woodland. You're back at your beach hotel for a sunset cocktail.
The dark, scimitar-horned bull sable is one of Africa's most striking antelope. Shimba Hills has the only viable Kenyan herd — around 200 individuals. Best seen on the Mwele or Mwaluganje plains in the late morning.
A 21-metre waterfall reached by a 30-minute guided forest hike (compulsory armed ranger — the forest has elephants). You can swim in the pool. The hike is the best part of the day for many guests.
Around 600 elephants live in Shimba Hills, smaller than savannah elephants, browsing in dense forest rather than grazing. Sightings are less guaranteed than in Tsavo but unique when they happen.
From the Pengo Hill viewpoint at 450m elevation, you can see all the way to the coast on a clear day — 30km of forest, sugarcane plain and reef break. Bring binoculars.
"Forty-five minutes from your hotel pool, you're walking through a forest behind an armed ranger toward a waterfall. The contrast is the point." — From an Almond Safaris guide
A typical itinerary — but flexible. Tell us how you like to travel and we'll adjust pace, accommodation tier and activities to suit you.
Pickup from Diani at 6:30am. 45-minute drive to the Shimba Gate. Guided drive into the reserve focused on sable plains. Stop at the Pengo Hill viewpoint. Back to Diani by 11am. Suitable if you want a wildlife morning then beach afternoon. From $145.
Pickup at 6:30am. Morning game drive (4 hours, sable + elephants). Picnic lunch at Sheldrick viewpoint. 1pm guided hike to Sheldrick Falls (1 hour each way, plus 30 min at the falls). Optional swim. Drive back via the Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary. Arrive Diani by 5pm. From $320.
Add an overnight at the historic Shimba Lodge (in the canopy on stilts) for dawn drives and to hear the forest at night. Extra US$240. Recommended for serious wildlife enthusiasts.
We work with all of these properties directly. Pricing below is per person, twin-share, all-inclusive of meals and game drives where stated.
The standard offering — pickup from any Diani hotel, full day in the park, return to your beach hotel. No accommodation needed.
Built into the canopy, 30 rooms on stilts overlooking a forest waterhole. Elephants, bushbuck and sable visit the waterhole at night, lit. The dining room runs a tradition of bell-ringing for major sightings.
Start with a Shimba Hills morning, then continue north to Tsavo East for 2 nights. Three days, two parks. Combined rate $890 per person.
No deposit to enquire. We'll confirm availability, hold your dates for 48 hours, and send a tailored quote within one business day.
All prices below are in USD per person, twin-share, for the same 1 day (8 hours) package. Bigger groups pay less per head — same trip, same lodges, same vehicles, just shared between more people. Kenyan-resident rates available — ask us.
📌 What's included: Day excursion from Diani. Sable antelope, Sheldrick Falls hike, Pengo Hill viewpoint.
Groups of 10+ or special requests? We arrange private vehicle convoys, exclusive-use lodges, weddings, incentive trips, school groups and family reunions. Send a WhatsApp message to +254 797 036 943 or email booking@almondsafaris.com for a custom quote within one business day.