Shimba Hills day trip from Diani Beach: Rainforest and waterfall

Walk through rainforest to a waterfall where you can shower, then eat lunch overlooking the reserve

A full-day guided tour from Diani Beach into Shimba Hills, a tropical rainforest an hour's drive inland, where you hike to Sheldrick Falls for a freshwater shower and eat lunch at Green Lodge with views across the reserve. The tour suits anyone who wants to combine beach time with nature in one day, and all fitness levels can manage the walk. Pickup is included from Diani Beach or Mombasa.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Shimba Hills and Sheldrick Falls

• Drive from Diani Beach to Shimba Hills
• Walk to Sheldrick Falls
• Take a shower at the falls
• Enjoy lunch at Green Lodge

The experience

Shimba Hills sits an hour inland from Diani Beach, close enough to pair with a beach day but far enough to feel like a different world. The reserve is a tropical rainforest with its own wildlife, birds and plant life. The main draw is Sheldrick Falls, a freshwater cascade where you can wash off and cool down during the walk. Lunch happens at Green Lodge, positioned to overlook the reserve, so you eat with a view instead of in a parking lot.

The day runs eight hours round-trip from pickup. You walk to and from the waterfall, about an hour each way, at a pace that works for all fitness levels. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Italian, French or one other language depending on your booking, and leads you through the forest, pointing out animals and plants as you go. Lunch is included. The rest of the day is the walk, the falls and the reserve itself.

What’s included

• Full-day guided tour with a live guide in your choice of language.
• pickup from Diani Beach or Mombasa.
• lunch at Green Lodge.
• access to Sheldrick Falls and the rainforest trails.

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and SundayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 55 years) · Senior (56 to 85 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by FRENZY ADVENTURES LIMITED

Is this one for you?The tour is shared and guide-led, so you travel with other visitors and follow the guide's pace and route through the forest. This works well if you want someone to point out wildlife and plants as you walk, and if you're comfortable hiking with a group rather than exploring on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How far is the walk to Sheldrick Falls from the trailhead?

The walk to Sheldrick Falls takes about an hour each way through the rainforest, with the same route back to the lodge after you've had time at the waterfall.

What animals and birds might I see in Shimba Hills?

Shimba Hills is home to different types of wildlife and birds throughout the tropical rainforest, though sightings depend on the season and time of day you visit.

Is lunch included in the tour price?

Yes, lunch is served at Green Lodge, which overlooks the reserve, so you eat with a view of the landscape you've just walked through.

Can I do this tour if I'm not very fit?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the walk to the falls is paced so anyone can manage it at a comfortable speed.

Does the tour include pickup from my hotel?

Pickup is included from Diani Beach or Mombasa, so you don't need to arrange your own transport to the reserve.