Isiolo and Archers Post: the gateway towns
Isiolo is the town most road visitors pass on the way to Samburu National Reserve. It lies on the A2, the main road that runs from Nairobi through Nanyuki to the north. Archers Post is the small settlement next to the reserve, 34 km further along the same road. Together they link central Kenya with the reserves along the Ewaso Nyiro.
Isiolo is a gateway between northern and southern Kenya, and the town has an airport known as Isiolo International. That does not mean regular international flights run today, so check current schedules with the airlines before you plan around it. Most visitors reach Samburu by road via Isiolo or fly to an airstrip near the reserve. If you are still deciding, our page on Samburu safaris compares road and fly-in options.
Isiolo town: a practical stop
The main street in Isiolo has shops and plenty of people on foot. Treat the town as a practical stop rather than a destination. Use it to buy water and snacks, to get cash if you need it and to ask about current road conditions before you drive on.
The tarmac continues north of Isiolo, and the road leads on towards Marsabit. The last access roads to the gates are unpaved, so allow extra time for the final stretch. Taxi fares for the run from Isiolo to the reserve vary, so agree the fare before you get in. Whether a public service runs all the way to a gate is best checked locally.
Our pick: the road trip through Nanyuki and Isiolo
This two-day trip stops in Nanyuki and has lunch in Isiolo on the way north, so you see the gateway towns on the drive.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Samburu safaris and day trips
Game drives and fly-in safaris in Samburu, with live prices and availability.
Archers Post and Archer's Gate
Archers Post is the nearest settlement to the main entrance. Archer's Gate, the main gate, is near the village. From the gate the view runs over dry savanna into Samburu territory.
The reserve has more than one way in. There are also West Gate, Kalama Gate and Waso Bridge Gate, and gate services run at the central airstrip. That makes four named gates plus the airstrip, not five road gates. Which one you use depends on where you stay and how you arrive. Our getting there page covers routes, flights and driving times in detail.
A lodge with Samburu in its address is not automatically inside the reserve. Westgate Conservancy borders the reserve to the west and Kalama Conservancy to the north, so check the exact location when you compare places on the lodges and camps page.
Which reserve lies where
Three separate reserves share this stretch of the Ewaso Nyiro, each with its own administration.
| Reserve | Side of the river | County | Area | Established |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samburu National Reserve | North bank | Samburu County | 165 km² | 1985 |
| Buffalo Springs National Reserve | South bank | Isiolo County | 131 km² | 1985 |
| Shaba National Reserve | Isiolo side | Isiolo County | 239 km² | 1974 |
Samburu and Buffalo Springs face each other across the river, so they suit a combined visit from a base near Archers Post. Shaba is a separate trip with its own character. Fees and rules apply per reserve, so read the park fees page before you set a budget. The reserves have their own pages: Buffalo Springs and Shaba.
Planning your trip through Isiolo
Three things to settle before you leave Nairobi or Nanyuki.
By road
Count on 6 to 7 hours from Nairobi to the Samburu region, and more if you add stops or travel in heavy traffic. Start early so that you reach the gate in daylight.
By air
Scheduled flights from Nairobi Wilson serve airstrips in the reserve area, so you can skip Isiolo altogether. Details and times are on the getting there page.
Current travel advice
Check your government's current advice for Samburu and Isiolo before you set off, and see getting there for the details.
Rain and roads
Heavy rain can wash out roads and make river crossings dangerous. Do not cross flooded rivers. The weather page explains the rainy seasons.
Isiolo and Archers Post: frequently asked questions
How far is Isiolo from Archers Post?
About 34 km by road along the A2. Allow extra time for the last unpaved access roads to the gates.
Do I have to stop in Isiolo?
Most road trips from Nairobi pass through Isiolo because the A2 runs through it. It is a good place to buy supplies and ask about road conditions. If you fly to an airstrip near the reserve, you do not need to pass through town.
Can I fly into Isiolo?
The town has an airport called Isiolo International. A current scheduled service is not guaranteed, so ask the airlines for the timetable before you plan around it.
Which reserve is on which side of the river?
Samburu lies on the north bank in Samburu County. Buffalo Springs lies opposite on the south bank in Isiolo County. Shaba is a separate reserve in Isiolo County.
Is this the official website of Samburu or Isiolo?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not run by Samburu County, Isiolo County, the Kenya Wildlife Service, Reteti or Lewa, and it has no ties to safari operators or lodges. Confirm current gate rules and fees with the reserve before you travel.