Mwaluganje camp Chistanze falls in Shimba hills

mwaluganje camp gate

Mwaluganje camp leading to Chistanze waterfalls is not the easiest of camps to find, in fact I only stumbled upon it by mistake and after finding it nearly named it the camp that time forgot as it does not seem to be listed anywhere. This well-hidden secret campsite was well worth the 1 hour journey by motorbike to get to it from Diani.

Mwaluganje camp, where tarmac turns to rubble

road to rubble mwaluganje gate
old shimba hills road
road to shimba hills

When tarmac turns to rubble, you know you are in the wilderness. Mwaluganje camp used to be one of the gates leading to Shimba hills. Time and lots of use have taken their toll on this road and it is no longer possible or safe to drive on. This park is now only for trekking and camping. Although I did not come across any wildlife, the abundance of Elephant dung all around me was a clear sign that I was in the wilderness with animals roaming freely all around me.

Camping at the Mwaluganje campsite

If its wild adventure you are seeking and camping in the wilderness, then you are in the right place. The entrance fee to the camp is around £7.00 (1000 shillings) per person. Hiring a camp guide (highly recommended) is around £5.00 to take you to the waterfalls (about an hour’s trekking through the bush) Camping is again around £7.00 per tent per night.

Bearing in mind you are in the wilderness and there are wild animals roaming freely around you (especially at night) hiring a camp warden for the night is not a stipulation but highly advisable for your own protection just in the unlikely event of something happening. This will cost around £25.00 but worth it.

Elephant dung in mwaluganje camp

Chistanze waterfall in mwaluganje

The chistanze waterfalls are a bit of a mystery, they do not seem to be listed anywhere else and it was only by mistake that I came across this camp as I was actually lost.

arrive at chistanze falls
arrive at chistanze falls
me at chistanze falls

After over an hour of trekking through African bush and wilderness with the possibility of turning a corner and coming face to face with an Elephant or buffalo, I finally arrive at chistanze falls and what a wonderful refreshing site it is. My first thoughts are I just want to get under that waterfall but getting there was another mission as the rocks leading down to the falls are treacherously slippery, and the last thing you want is a twisted ankle or broken arm. THERE IS NO HOSPITAL IN THE WILD.

Not to be mistaken for the waterfalls at the mwaluganje elephant sanctuary, these falls are off the grid and well worth a visit, but be warned the trkking to get to them is not for the lighthearted and maybe an idea to take a pic-nic lunch as it is quite a journey to the falls but a wonderfull adventure within itself.

Mwaluganje camp & chistanze falls are somewhere around here

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Kevin Harrington is a keen photographer, blogger, and professional chef for over 40 years. With a passion for cooking and travel, Chefstravels was born. Thank you for visiting my site and I wish you every success in what you do.

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Mwaluganje camp Chistanze falls in Shimba hills

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