BEST TIME TO VISIT SHIMBA HILLS FOR A SOUTH-EASTERN KENYA SAFARI

Shimba Hills National Reserve is a pleasurable East African safari destination at any time of year. Maximum daytime temperatures range from 82 F (28 C) degrees from June to August with incremental increases up to 91 F (33 C) till March before it starts to drop as it approaches April and May. The nights are somewhat cooler with average low nighttime temperatures ranging from 68 F (20 C) around June through August and increasing up to 75 F (24 C) starting from December to April. The equatorial climate offers plenty of sunshine for your outdoor tour in Shimba Hills. While the conditions are humidly warm year-round, the weather patterns do affect your wildlife experiences. Like other nature-centric Kenya travel destinations, Shimba Hills Reserve experiences two dry seasons and two rainy seasons.

Peak tourist season occurs from July to October, coinciding with the long dry season. The reason that more AfricanMecca lodgers visit the reserve during this time is that the weather conditions enhance wildlife viewing augmented with the beach holiday season in Mombasa’s Diani and Bamburi coast. Without replenishment from new rainfall, many watering holes dry up, and the vegetation is sparse at best. The animals relocate to the permanent water sources within the reserve. The presence of water in these locations also supports some of the lush edible vegetation for foraging and grazing herbivores. Following close behind are the small predators who rely on mini-herbivores for food. As a result, you see a variety of species intermingled in a more concentrated area. Having so varied fauna vying for limited resources translates into wildlife behaviors that are unique to the climatic conditions, such as confrontations between elephants and buffalos or between territorial bachelor antelopes. During this time of year, some mammals are tending to inexperienced youngsters, so you may witness the protective behavior of mothers.

The short rainy season in Shimba occurs in November and December. During these months, visitor levels decrease slightly, and the limited accommodations offer reduced room rates. Other associated costs, such as travel, tour logistics, entry fees and activity prices remain constant throughout the year. Even with the possibility of afternoon rains, you still enjoy sunshine, so the effect on your activity-intense holiday at Shimba Hills National Reserve during this time is not always effortless as some animals disperse into the forest interiors. Because the reserve is located in equatorial Kenya and by the coast, the moisture evaporates quickly, so the roads and trails are relatively easy to navigate. We do advise our guests, though, that Easter, Christmas and New Year are popular times for European visitors to come to the reserve when beach vacationing in Mombasa along with Kenyan residents, so visitor levels increase during these festive holiday periods.

A short dry season occurs in January and February followed by the long rainy season from the end of March that lasts until June. Rainfall may last for a few days at a time, but not all day, and road and trail conditions do frequently deteriorate. The transformation of the Shimba landscape, though, makes this time of year preferable for seasoned AfricanMecca guests who desire a magical and enchanting renewed visit to Kenya (read more on the best time to go). New vegetation appears almost overnight changing mostly barren plains into lush green expanses. Some mammals give birth during the long rains, so you may see first-hand the arrival of precious and vulnerable newborns within minutes of birth. The first few minutes of life are critical, as little ones from smaller mammals must simultaneously learn to stand and walk or risk the deadly attacks of stealthy and hungry predators though the larger mammals are not affected due to absence of greater predators like lions, cheetahs, leopards in Shimba Hills.