How to get to Samburu National Park

By air

Scheduled daily flights depart Nairobi Wilson Airport for Samburu (Buffalo Springs) airstrip and Kalama airstrip, operated by Safarilink and AirKenya. Flight time is about 1 hour 15 minutes, often with a brief stop at Nanyuki. Camps meet all flights and transfers to the park camps take 20 to 45 minutes.

• Typical departure times: mid-morning outbound, early afternoon return
• Luggage limit: 15kg per person in soft bags
• Indicative fare: USD 230 – 320 per person each way

By road

The drive from Nairobi runs north on the A2 through Thika, Karatina and Nanyuki, past the western flank of Mount Kenya, then on to Isiolo and Archers Post. The road is tarmac and in good condition almost the whole way, with the final stretch to some camps on gravel.

• Nairobi to Samburu: approximately 350km, 5 to 6 hours
• Nanyuki to Samburu: approximately 170km, 2.5 hours
• Isiolo to Archers Post: approximately 50km, 45 minutes

A 4x4 is recommended inside the park, particularly during the rains. Self-drive is possible but a guide adds enormously to what you see. Fuel is available in Isiolo and Archers Post; fill up before entering the park.

Combining with other destinations

Samburu pairs naturally with Laikipia (Ol Pejeta, Lewa, Borana), which is 2 to 3 hours by road, and with the Masai Mara by air via Nairobi. A classic ten-day Kenya itinerary is Samburu, the Masai Mara and Diani or Watamu on the coast.

Park gates

• Archers Post Gate — main northern entrance, closest to town
• Ngare Mare Gate — western entrance from the Isiolo road
• Buffalo Springs Gate — access from the southern park across the river

Gates open at 6am and close at 6.30pm. Entry fees are payable by card at the gate — see park fees.