Shimba Hills National Park
Hi all
I'm hoping to sneak back to Kenya next month for a week (annual Africa 'fix' required..) Probably going back to Diani for some R&R, and hoping to go to the Shimba Hills park up the road. Has anyone got any useful info or experiences of this park? In particular, what's the best way to arrange a couple of days there? I know all (?) the hotels on the beach will arrange trips, but I'm sure I can do better booking ahead. Is it better to stay in the lodge, or camping? Any tips? Thanks for any info. Charles |
Shimba Hills National Park
In message
"Rydale" wrote: Has anyone got any useful info or experiences of this park? Hard to say if it's going to be useful *to you*, but I have a page at: http://www.v-liz.com/safari/shimba.htm In particular, what's the best way to arrange a couple of days there? Hard to say what would be best *for you*! I know all (?) the hotels on the beach will arrange trips, but I'm sure I can do better booking ahead. Not necessarily, again it depends what you mean by 'do better'. If the lodge isn't full, for example, you *might* be able to negotiate a better 'last minute' deal, but I've never tried - safaris are too short to waste time haggling. Is it better to stay in the lodge, or camping? Again, it's hard to say what would be better 'for you'. I'd sooner pull out my hair than do rough camping, but you might love it. The lodge is absolutely fine (it was in the Block chain when we were there in July '99 - you can see the typical 'grey month' lighting): There was the cutest Bushbaby/Galago which came in at dinner time and went round the tables 'begging' for fruit. We saw no animals or birds at the waterhole or from the treetop walk: this varies, though - other reports have mentioned sightings. Any tips? We went specifically to see/photograph/draw Sable Antelope and weren't disappointed, though it took us a while to find them; but when we went, there were very few other species, even birds, to be seen. aybe that's July, or maybe just bad luck on the afternoon/morning we were there. Interestingly 'different' habitat compared to the other parks. Slainte Liz -- Virtual Liz: http://www.v-liz.com Kenya; Tanzania; Namibia; India; Seychelles; Galapagos Photo blog of Make Povery History rally in Edinburgh 2 July 2005: http://www.v-liz.com/g8rally/protest.htm |
Shimba Hills National Park
I would agree with Liz's comments. It is not the greatest, but we were
entranced with the elephants and with a fish eagle performing. On an early morning safari we also saw a marten, particulars forgotten, which the guide had never seen there before, so you never know. Peter |
Shimba Hills National Park
Thanks Peter and Liz (hi Liz!)
As its a small and less used park, I couldn't find much info in the 'literature' - hence the questions. I assume that it won't be full if I book when I'm there! Hopefully there'll be a reasonable amount of wildlife about - its hot and dry right now, so the waterhole should be in use. Is Sheldrick falls worth the trek? I'll be taking pot luck with a Diani hotel this time - whatever I can find as a last minute deal. However, the family is letting me out on my own this time, so I won't have to worry about spiders in the bedroom (wife not keen) or pestering locals (daughter not keen!) I guess I'll wait and book something for Shimba from whatever hotel I end up in. Any ideas what I might expect to pay for a 2 or 3 day outing to Shimba? (usual - transfer, accomodation at the lodge, game drives, maybe a bush walk...) Cheers Charles Our Africalogue at tomalin.org "Peter Gower" wrote in message .. . I would agree with Liz's comments. It is not the greatest, but we were entranced with the elephants and with a fish eagle performing. On an early morning safari we also saw a marten, particulars forgotten, which the guide had never seen there before, so you never know. Peter |
Shimba Hills National Park
On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 16:20:40 GMT, Liz wrote:
Are any Kenya spiders dangerous? Liz, in the dry north there's the Hunting Spider, a strange, fast-running species where the males are orange and the females light green. They are feared because their bite can paralyze you for 24 hours, or so the locals say. Still not normally deadly. I've seen both male and female in Katilu. They are kind of beautiful. They can run very fast. But in the north there are also all kinds of scorpions, some of which are poisonous and whose bite can be very painful. I'm not sure whether any of these occur near the coast, probably not, but big spiders are often moderately poisonous. None of these constitutes a significant risk to tourists. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
Shimba Hills National Park
I'm no expert on spiders, but did find this guy on Diani Beach last year -
http://www.tomalin.org/bedford/kenya...s/IMG_1535.jpg I think its a form of Golden Orb spider (Nephila) - around 10-15cm long (oh yes!) - but no idea if its poisonous. It was in a colony of half a dozen or so - many webs all in one area. I did keep a sensible distance. Charles "Hans-Georg Michna" wrote in message ... On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 16:20:40 GMT, Liz wrote: Are any Kenya spiders dangerous? Liz, in the dry north there's the Hunting Spider, a strange, fast-running species where the males are orange and the females light green. They are feared because their bite can paralyze you for 24 hours, or so the locals say. Still not normally deadly. I've seen both male and female in Katilu. They are kind of beautiful. They can run very fast. But in the north there are also all kinds of scorpions, some of which are poisonous and whose bite can be very painful. I'm not sure whether any of these occur near the coast, probably not, but big spiders are often moderately poisonous. None of these constitutes a significant risk to tourists. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
Shimba Hills National Park
On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 22:32:11 GMT, Rydale wrote:
I'm no expert on spiders, but did find this guy on Diani Beach last year - http://www.tomalin.org/bedford/kenya...s/IMG_1535.jpg I think its a form of Golden Orb spider (Nephila) - around 10-15cm long (oh yes!) - but no idea if its poisonous. It was in a colony of half a dozen or so - many webs all in one area. I did keep a sensible distance. Charles, no need to be overly careful. Web spiders don't suddenly jump at you or anything like that. They are usually somewhat poisonous though, so don't try to pick one out of his net by hand. The photo is interesting, because there seems to be a female and a much smaller male. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
Shimba Hills National Park
Probably going back to Diani for some R&R, and hoping to go to the Shimba
Hills park up the road. Has anyone got any useful info or experiences of this park? In particular, what's the best way to arrange a couple of days there? I know all (?) the hotels on the beach will arrange trips, but I'm sure I can do better booking ahead. When we went to Kenya last (about 1982/3? and I think it was in July but memories are a bit hazy!) we wanted to go to Shimba Hills; we were with Kuoni (whom I'd normally recommend unreservedly). We asked about reserving for SH before we went and told it wasnt necessary; we asked the rep in Nairobi when we arrived (we were doing a safari to Amboseli and Tsavo first and then going to the beach) and she said it wasnt necessary to book in advance,we could do it when we got to Mombasa. First thing we did on arrival was ask rep there to book us 2 days at Shimba - no go, he said, its full. -- Rita Daggett |
Shimba Hills National Park
Thanks Rita - forewarned is forearmed.
I have found a couple of 'local' organisers, and I'll ask the question. Anyone know these guys - Eyes on Africa African Mecca Safaris ? Charles "Rita Daggett" wrote in message ... Probably going back to Diani for some R&R, and hoping to go to the Shimba Hills park up the road. Has anyone got any useful info or experiences of this park? In particular, what's the best way to arrange a couple of days there? I know all (?) the hotels on the beach will arrange trips, but I'm sure I can do better booking ahead. When we went to Kenya last (about 1982/3? and I think it was in July but memories are a bit hazy!) we wanted to go to Shimba Hills; we were with Kuoni (whom I'd normally recommend unreservedly). We asked about reserving for SH before we went and told it wasnt necessary; we asked the rep in Nairobi when we arrived (we were doing a safari to Amboseli and Tsavo first and then going to the beach) and she said it wasnt necessary to book in advance,we could do it when we got to Mombasa. First thing we did on arrival was ask rep there to book us 2 days at Shimba - no go, he said, its full. -- Rita Daggett |
Shimba Hills National Park
There was actually a small colony of these guys (or should I say ladies..) -
more in view he A small male is visible again. http://www.tomalin.org/img_1540.jpg One did actually drop onto a guest one evening and he ran around trying to stamp on it (!). I managed to pick him up with a stick (the spider that is) and return him to the bush. I actually quite like spiders.... Charles "Hans-Georg Michna" wrote in message ... On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 22:32:11 GMT, Rydale wrote: I'm no expert on spiders, but did find this guy on Diani Beach last year - http://www.tomalin.org/bedford/kenya...s/IMG_1535.jpg I think its a form of Golden Orb spider (Nephila) - around 10-15cm long (oh yes!) - but no idea if its poisonous. It was in a colony of half a dozen or so - many webs all in one area. I did keep a sensible distance. Charles, no need to be overly careful. Web spiders don't suddenly jump at you or anything like that. They are usually somewhat poisonous though, so don't try to pick one out of his net by hand. The photo is interesting, because there seems to be a female and a much smaller male. Hans-Georg -- No mail, please. |
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