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

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

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

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

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

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

In message , Rydale
writes
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


Hi Charles,
Good to hear you are going to Diani,I hope you have a great trip, are
you going to visit the Colobus Trust?
Shimba Hills lodge is not very big and it is high season so I`d try to
book soon. Have you checked out Lets Go travel in Nairobi? They have a
good website and are very reliable, or you could go to Block Hotels
website and check availability there. Enjoy yourself!
Pat.
--
Pat Anderson

Hi Pat

Ah if only it were as simple as it should be...
Of course its high season there -I thought I would get a cheap deal in
February....

The blockhotels website (www.blockhotelske.com) only covers Nyali Beach,
Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo, so not much good for me! Maybe they've the
Shimba lodge to someone else recently?
Can't find a reference to it belonging to anyone else though.

I've dropped a note to Lets Go - thanks for the tip.

It may not happen, but I hope I can get there
The Colobus Trust is one of the reasons I'm going - I need to transport a
few things over to Pam there.

Cheers

Charles


"Pat Anderson" wrote in message
...
In message , Rydale
writes
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


Hi Charles,
Good to hear you are going to Diani,I hope you have a great trip, are
you going to visit the Colobus Trust?
Shimba Hills lodge is not very big and it is high season so I`d try to
book soon. Have you checked out Lets Go travel in Nairobi? They have a
good website and are very reliable, or you could go to Block Hotels
website and check availability there. Enjoy yourself!
Pat.
--
Pat Anderson

Hi Charles,
I`m sure Lets Go will help you, I wonder if Block have ceased managing
Shimba Hills? Block have reduced the number of hotels and lodges in
their name considerably over the years, when we left Kenya finally in
1987 after my husband finished his work there I went into Block hotels
in Nairobi and booked us into The Outspan hotel, Lake Naivasha,
Samburu lodge, Nyali Beach hotel, Sindbad hotel, Malindi, the Aberdare
Country Club, we had five weeks in these hotels before leaving Kenya,
since then things have changed and many properties are no longer Block
hotels. Out of interest I could contact them and ask.
I hope you can work something out.
Best wishes,
Pat.




In message , Rydale
writes
Hi Pat

Ah if only it were as simple as it should be...
Of course its high season there -I thought I would get a cheap deal in
February....

The blockhotels website (www.blockhotelske.com) only covers Nyali Beach,
Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo, so not much good for me! Maybe they've the
Shimba lodge to someone else recently?
Can't find a reference to it belonging to anyone else though.

I've dropped a note to Lets Go - thanks for the tip.

It may not happen, but I hope I can get there
The Colobus Trust is one of the reasons I'm going - I need to transport a
few things over to Pam there.

Cheers

Charles


"Pat Anderson" wrote in message
...
In message , Rydale
writes
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


Hi Charles,
Good to hear you are going to Diani,I hope you have a great trip, are
you going to visit the Colobus Trust?
Shimba Hills lodge is not very big and it is high season so I`d try to
book soon. Have you checked out Lets Go travel in Nairobi? They have a
good website and are very reliable, or you could go to Block Hotels
website and check availability there. Enjoy yourself!
Pat.
--
Pat Anderson



--
Pat Anderson

In message , Pat Anderson
Charles,
I`ve tried to write to Block at their website and despite giving all
requested info. All I get is an error notice--- sorry!
Pat.





writes

Hi Charles,
I`m sure Lets Go will help you, I wonder if Block have ceased
managing Shimba Hills? Block have reduced the number of hotels and
lodges in their name considerably over the years, when we left Kenya
finally in 1987 after my husband finished his work there I went into
Block hotels in Nairobi and booked us into The Outspan hotel, Lake
Naivasha, Samburu lodge, Nyali Beach hotel, Sindbad hotel, Malindi, the
Aberdare Country Club, we had five weeks in these hotels before
leaving Kenya, since then things have changed and many properties are
no longer Block hotels. Out of interest I could contact them and ask.
I hope you can work something out.
Best wishes,
Pat.




In message , Rydale
writes
Hi Pat

Ah if only it were as simple as it should be...
Of course its high season there -I thought I would get a cheap deal in
February....

The blockhotels website (www.blockhotelske.com) only covers Nyali Beach,
Lake Naivasha and Lake Baringo, so not much good for me! Maybe they've the
Shimba lodge to someone else recently?
Can't find a reference to it belonging to anyone else though.

I've dropped a note to Lets Go - thanks for the tip.

It may not happen, but I hope I can get there
The Colobus Trust is one of the reasons I'm going - I need to transport a
few things over to Pam there.

Cheers

Charles


"Pat Anderson" wrote in message
...
In message , Rydale
writes
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


Hi Charles,
Good to hear you are going to Diani,I hope you have a great trip, are
you going to visit the Colobus Trust?
Shimba Hills lodge is not very big and it is high season so I`d try to
book soon. Have you checked out Lets Go travel in Nairobi? They have a
good website and are very reliable, or you could go to Block Hotels
website and check availability there. Enjoy yourself!
Pat.
--
Pat Anderson




--
Pat Anderson