
Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour
Traveler rating
3.0/5
Based on 3 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour worth booking?
Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour is a 8-hour experience in Diani Beach, Kenya, from $221 per person. It scores 47 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3/5 rating across 3 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 47 / 100
- Rating
- 3/5 (3)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $221 per person
Shimba Hills, most scenic & ecologically rich destinations, only 33km from Diani Beach. This stunning reserve combines rolling green hills dense tropical forests, and sweeping savannahs with breathtaking views of Indian Ocean It"s home to remarkable variety of wildlife, & over 100 bird species. Reserve is especially renowned for being last remaining habitat in Kenya where you spot rare & endangered sable antelope. Bird lovers, Shimba Hills offers a paradise filled with hornbills, sunbirds, & other forest specials. A highlight of any visit is the hike to the spectacular Sheldrick Waterfalls. The trail winds through lush vegetation alive with bird calls, leading to a refreshing cascade where visitors can pause and enjoy nature at its best Whether you are seeking a guided game drive, birdwatching adventure, or a peaceful nature walk, Shimba Hills provides the perfect mix of wildlife, adventure, and tranquility. Its cool climate and panoramic landscapes make it a refreshing coastal retreat
What you get
About this experience
Shimba Hills, most scenic & ecologically rich destinations, only 33km from Diani Beach. This stunning reserve combines rolling green hills dense tropical forests, and sweeping savannahs with breathtaking views of Indian Ocean It"s home to remarkable variety of wildlife, & over 100 bird species. Reserve is especially renowned for being last remaining habitat in Kenya where you spot rare & endangered sable antelope. Bird lovers, Shimba Hills offers a paradise filled with hornbills, sunbirds, & other forest specials. A highlight of any visit is the hike to the spectacular Sheldrick Waterfalls. The trail winds through lush vegetation alive with bird calls, leading to a refreshing cascade where visitors can pause and enjoy nature at its best Whether you are seeking a guided game drive, birdwatching adventure, or a peaceful nature walk, Shimba Hills provides the perfect mix of wildlife, adventure, and tranquility. Its cool climate and panoramic landscapes make it a refreshing coastal retreat
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Entrance fees
Not included
- Lunch
- Meals
What you'll see and do
Shimba Hills National Reserve
SHIMBA HILLS RAIN FOREST DAY TRIP A 1 Day Shimba Hills safari starts in the morning at dawn and ends in the early evening. This 1day safari to shimba hills is a short scenic safari where you will have about five hours on a game drive including a bush walk looking for animals and birds while also enjoying the spectacular coastal forest landscapes of Shimba Hills National Reserve. This Wild Kenya Safaris Day trip starts from Mombasa, Diani Beach, Tiwi beach, Galu Beach and also other areas on the Kenya coastal line.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Elky Diani Beach Holiday
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 3 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
3 verified traveler reviews for Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Good, but could have been so much better!
The day didn’t start too well. While we were asked to be at pickup at least ten minutes before the time, our guide (George) was late by 15 mins. He said that he had over slept!! His tour bus was a death trap! It was very noisy (so, we probably scared off most of the wildlife!) and practically no legroom, even though we were the only two on the tour. My seat was not actually attached to the vehicle so I had the most uncomfortable ride of any tour I have ever taken. The 4-hour game drive was enjoyable and we were lucky enough to spot zebras and warthogs. No sign of the famous Sable Antelopes. The views are spectacular! The walk to Sheldrake Falls is very challenging and not for the faint hearted. It is very steep in places and there is a small river to cross. Also, swimming is permitted in the Falls. Something that we were not informed of beforehand by Tripadvisor or George. (Advice: take swimming costumes, towels and wet shoes). There are changing rooms at the Falls. We were taken to the Shimba Green Lodge for lunch (as we didn’t bring our own). This place is stunning! The views are spectacular and the food was delicious. 1,950KES/person + drinks and we thought that this was good value. George told us it was to be a buffet. It wasn’t; it was a choice from a set menu. After lunch, we drove directly back to Diani. George seemed to be preoccupied throughout the day. He was not very engaging with us and only spoke to answer our questions. He gave us the impression that he wanted to be somewhere else and that we were a huge inconvenience. In summary, we had a very enjoyable day, seeing fantastic countryside and eating good food but we would have preferred a much better guide. He was very pleasant and courteous, but not very passionate and engaging.
via Tripadvisor
125 €/person: not justified
- planned time frame according to website: 10 hours, our excursion was finished after 6 hours (without lunch) - Game drive less than an hour to the starting point of the hike, the same time back; you definitely can't get to the planned 10 hours even with lunch - Hike accompanied by a ranger was flawless; here is missing the indication that on the way to the waterfall the Congo River must be waded - our driver did not seem to be local and generally not master of the situation
Response from the operator: Wir entschuldigen uns aufrichtig für das Missverständnis. Bitte beachten Sie, dass das Mittagessen bei diesem Tagesausflug nicht im Preis inbegriffen ist und lediglich als optionale Zusatzleistung angeboten wird. Unser Fahrer hat Sie gefragt, ob Sie zum Mittagessen auf eigene Kosten zu einem Restaurant gebracht werden möchten, was Sie jedoch abgelehnt haben. Die angegebenen 10 Stunden beziehen sich auf die gesamte Dauer des Ausflugs, beginnend mit der Abholung. Diese Zeit beinhaltet auch einen möglichen Mittagspausen-Stopp im Green Lodge Restaurant auf dem Gipfel der Shimba Hills, das eine sehr schöne Aussicht bietet.
via Viator (translated)
Amazing trip at Shimba Hills
We have been to Shimba Hills today with Elky tours and Daniel as a guide. Everything was just perfect, we went hiking to see the waterfalls and we also saw some animals on our way to Shimba Green Lodge. That was a great day, we highly recommend this company for any transfer/taxi and/or activity. Thanks again
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! 🌿 We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Shimba Hills experience with Daniel as your guide. The hike to the waterfalls and the wildlife sightings truly makes it a special adventure, and we’re glad you had a perfect day. We greatly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you again for more transfers, tours, and activities.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $221 to $330
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Elky Diani Beach Holiday, who run 15 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.2.
See everything Elky Diani Beach Holiday runsWhy this scores 47
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Diani Beach.
How much does Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $221 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Diani Beach usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Diani Beach is not rushed.
Is Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 47 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3/5 across 3 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Diani Beach, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour?
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Around 1 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Diani Beach can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Diani Beach and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Diani Beach within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Diani Beach?
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On Outty we rank every Diani Beach experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Mombasa City Tour, Full Day Dolphin Watching with Snorkeling in Wasini, Full-Day Special Wasini Island Tour with Snorkeling and Lunch. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Diani Beach?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Diani Beach?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour?
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Included: Bottled water; and Entrance fees. Not included: Lunch; and Meals. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 4 listed pickup locations in and around Diani Beach. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour offered in?
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It is offered in German, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Diani Beach. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Waterfall Day Tour?
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Across 3 reviews averaging 3.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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