Name: Shimba Hills Lodge
Address: Shimba Hills National Reserve, Galu Kinondo, Galu Kinondo, Galu Kinondo, 80401, Kenya
Rating: 9

Smoking areas

Currency exchange

Smoke-free property

Gift shop

Express check-in/check-out

Terrace

Private check-in/check-out

No elevators

General

Bridal suite

Non-smoking rooms

Room service

Linens

Mosquito net

Toiletries

Rooms

Laundry

Safe-deposit box

Luggage storage

Wake-up service

Services and amenities

Diet menu (on request)

Breakfast

Breakfast in the room

Restaurant

Packed Lunches

Bottled water

Meals

Internet

Airport transportation

Transfer services

Transfer

German

English

Languages Spoken

Parking

Beach/pool towels

Pool and beach

Babysitting and childcare

Kids

Pets Not Allowed

Pets

Location

At the hotel

Ukunda Airport

Moi International Airport

Vipingo Airport

Shimba Hills Lodge

Galu Kinondo

child-bed

child-bed-fee

external-private-bathroom

private-bathroom

shared-bathroom

10-beds

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king-bed

queen-bed

limited-time

lounge

treatment

no-window

bay-view

bosphorus-view

canal-view

city-view

courtyard-view

garden-view

golf-view

harbour-view

inland-view

lake-view

land-view

mountain-view

ocean-front

ocean-view

oceanside

panoramic-view

park-view

partial-ocean-view

partial-sea-view

partial-view

pool-view

river-view

sea-front

sea-view

street-view

sunrise-view

sunset-view

water-view

with-view

annex

basement

main-building

1-bedroom

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not-guaranteed

wired-internet-access

smoking

sauna

duplex

safe

mini-bar

breakfast-for-1

breakfast-for-2

pets-allowed

wi-fi

kitchen

We stayed at Shimba Hills Lodge for one night as part of our coastal birding week. The staff are lovely and the lodge is quirky and unique, made from local timber. Colobus monkeys, bush squirrels and bushbabies (at night) run about and there is a boardwalk where you can find some of the local birds.

The long access road needs improvement as it is very rough even in a 4X4. We had the nicest room available but it was still shabby and worn out with no soap save for the remnants of a highly watered down bottle of hand soap. There were also a few half empty single use shampoo & conditioner tubes at the sink. The sink fittings were old and need replacement. There is no WiFi nor cell service.

Our electricity went off at 2 pm and by dinner time was still off. Candles were placed in the hallways otherwise it would have been pitch black. I don't know how often this happens but there is NO back-up plan for when it does. No generator - not even any flashlights to give to guests. Open flames on the floor of a wood structure, even if they are in candle holders, struck us as downright unsafe. Fortunately, the electricity came back on about 8:30 pm - we were very pleased. The food is OK but rather basic and repetitive. Breakfast was the best meal.

With significant improvements this lodge could be very quaint and charming but at this point it is in dire need of upgrading.

In dire need of upgrading!

I stayed 2 nights in Shimba Hills Lodge. First of all, I would like to say that the staff is all very welcoming and friendly. IMO, the rates you pay for a stay here (+we had full board) are not so cheap, so I was expecting quite a bit. I was expecting something similar to my stays in Tsavo, which were all very nice.

However, to me Shimba Lodge looks like a place which was once very nice and popular, but is now degraded and old. It seems like not enough money is invested in maintenance, with bathrooms that look old and have broken components, and electricity that doesn’t work well all the time. Doors don’t really close well, there are some holes in the ceiling, and  a lot of things are just malfunctioning, damaged, or broken off. 

Moreover, I find the food a bit disappointing. Again, the people making the food are nice. However, I would like to have some choice of what to eat, which I didn’t. We told them in advance that we all eat vegetarian (and we were the only guests in the Lodge). Both evenings, the only veggie option was pasta with sauce. The starter was always soup and the desert always some fruit. It would be so nice if there was a bit more variation in the dishes. Of course, it is food and it does the job, but it didn’t match my expectations for the money I paid.

The location of the lodge is beautiful and surrounded by nature, but personally I wouldn’t recommend this place. I would recommend to just do a day trip from Diani to Shimba Hills instead.

No value for money - not enough maintenance

We had never visited this small NP in South east Kenya and it was time to put that right.
Booking on line was effortless and friendly. Deposit paid, balance on arrival was offered but eventually we paid the whole account by Bank transfer to avoid too much cash.
Prior to our arrival we had been warned by a colleague that the place was 'a little rundown' but happily we were not dissuaded from going. We were attracted by the location as much as the building.
All was fine on arrival and check in was smooth. The room was more than we expected with a comfy bed and door to balcony overlooking the 'waterhole'. We were a little put off by the bathroom facilities not being 'self contained' and this could prove a problem if the Lodge was full. It wasn't . Indeed it was very quiet.
Meals were taken in the Restaurant and we have no complaints as to variety and quality although beer prices were a bit steep.
We would have liked to have known that Bushbabies visit at dinner as we would have gone armed with a camera. Squirrels, the beautiful Red-bellied coast squirrel (Paraxerus palliatus) is resident.
Birdlife around the lodge was exceptional. We had to remain in lodge for sometime and the time was not wasted as we watched many rare and beautiful species in the surrounding scrub and trees.
OK so the place could do with some TLC and improvement but we would happily return as our stay was all too short.

We were comfortable.

We are still in awe after living in this heaven on earth. The gorgeously beautiful hotel has not only its location as the greatest advantage of all, but the nicest people you have ever met! The kindness of the management and the staff especially William surpasses everything you have ever and will ever see.

A dream come true

Heartbreaking. We used to come here pretty regularly between 15 and 25 years ago and we always loved the beautiful location, the amazing treehouse architecture, the wildlife at the lodge and the amazing food!!! It was normally a special treat for birthdays or other special occasions. 

The location and architecture are still incredible but the lodge feels neglected especially in the bedrooms with broken curtains/mosquito nets/etc. There were no mosquito nets in the standard bedrooms. The wildlife is no longer as used to humans so we didn’t get to see the bush babies and genet cat but did see the red squirrels and Colobus monkeys and baboons as well as warthog and waterbuck. 

The staff were all wonderfully friendly but are obviously not used to having guests currently. There was no cold wine and they ran out of cold drinking water and ice. Ordering food was a painful process and the food itself was not as good as it used to be and often cold. As lovely as they were the chef and waiting staff definitely need some training. 

There was no Wifi or phone signal and the lodge could not take credit cards or cash but only MPesa which we struggled to use due to lack of signal.

We really hope they flourish in this post lockdown era and we hope to come back after some renovations and training!

In need of some TLC

This is a cool and unusual property in the Shimba Hills Reserve. We stayed just for one night.

Good:
Friendly and attentive staff
The boardwalk are alongside the waterhole
Dated but clean and comfortable rooms
The bar area 
Colobus monkeys!

Not so good:
The price is a bit steep 
Food is plentiful but average 
IMPORTANT TO NOTE - this property does not accept card payments. If you’re a Kenya resident, they accept MPESA. If not, you need to pay in cash. Unfortunately we only found this out at check out, which could have led to an awkward situation.

Unusual and enjoyable property. Does not accept card payments.

We stayed at Shimba for two nights in a room with an attached en-suite bathroom, this lodge can only be summarized as BEAUTIFUL!
We traveled from Nairobi to Shimba for the first time, and Tom from Shimba Lodge was so unbelievably helpful at all hours of the day. He was also sweet enough to check if we reached our final destination safely! He gave us a tour of the property and would come over for a chat to check in on us over breakfast.

Shimba Lodge is located in the middle of a reserve surrounded by lush greenery and a beautiful pond, it was a relaxing stay to just switch off and be one with nature.

Charles who was our attendant at the restaurant was also really sweet, overall a great experience and we are so glad we stumbled across this gem of a place!

I would recommend you carry a credit card as you need to pay to enter the Shimba Reserve and they only accept Mpeysa and Cards (no cash). It is a small amount and what awaits you inside is well worth it!

Thank you Tom and Charles for an amazing stay!
Lisa and Rubina

Unique and Tranquil Experience!

I had a beautiful overnight stay at this lovely place. I booked through a local agent but it couldn’t have been more perfect.
The setting is amazing - green and dining is set over a unique watering place. Let’s be sure Shimba is not big game but the hotel is set in beautiful rilling green scenery. 
OK to accommodation and food.
Food was simple and expertly prepared in a more European way. 
Soup with rolls to start
Followed by a simple yet tasty salad to follow.
Main course was perfect for the location. 
Followed by a simple sweet course.
I loved this food and nothing like anything’s have come across in rural settings.

The accommodation was lovely for viewing. Once again simple but well executed basics. I had shared washrooms but was once again perfect for my situation and travelling arrangements.

Service - absolutely top botch 
Kind and friendly without being too over the top. 

I loved Shimba Hills and this hotel is the perfect compliment to the park.

Not pretentious in any way

I want to go back



A Unique 21st century Oasis of calm

Stunning setting and log constructed building  sympathetic to its  surroundings . Very friendly and professional staff . Incredibly enjoyable lunch with excellent quality of food and service . We were able to observe a fish eagle having his lunch and we were joined at our table by some inquisitive red squirrels . A pair of Colobus monkeys were watching us watch them in the nearby trees . A wonderful experience where one felt very close to nature in a beautiful tranquil oasis . This was kenya hospitality at its best . Would not hesitate to recommend a visit to this lovely establishment . 

Tranquille Oasis

As you approach the lodge through the trees you find the building built of trees and among the trees. After a welcome drink and checking in, friendly staff show you to your room. Rooms are comfortable. Ours had a lovely view over the nearby marsh and forest. Some bathrooms are shared but this was not a problem for us. We enjoyed the food although, because of few guests when we were there, there was little choice and no buffet. The loud noise of the frogs and cicadas was amazing. A bushbaby and two squirrels shared the dining room with us. The wooden walkway from the lodge into the forest was great for a photo-opportunity. We stayed for one night; maybe two would have been better.

Shimba Hills Lodge

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