The area is best approached by the A2 highway, which heads north from Nairobi passing Thika city. Heading on, the road turns west to border Mount Kenya, leaving the Aberdare Range at the left and going through the towns of Nyeri and Nanyuki. Northbound again, the road enters scrubby landscape and reaches Isiolo, capital of the district in which Buffalo Springs and Shaba lie. Up to Isiolo, the road is paved but in bad conditions north of Nanyuki. From Isiolo it becomes a broad dusty track. Depending on the safety status of the area, you may be retained by the police at the Isiolo barrier to wait for a convoy to be formed for the last stretch.

From Isiolo, the road goes on to the far Ethiopian border. But the reference for accessing the three reserves is the small town of Archer's Post, some 35 km from Isiolo. The entrance to Shaba is at the right side, while the main gate to Samburu, Archer's Post Gate, is found 5 km on the left. The latter reserve bears another gate at its western end, but it is seldom used.

Accesses to Buffalo Springs, the southernmost of the three reserves, are found before reaching Archer's Post. 20 km north of Isiolo, there is a detour left which leads to Isiolo Gate, formerly known as Ngare Mara Gate. 10 km ahead, 3.5 km before Archer's Post, a second detour leads to the Buffalo Springs Gate.

From the main highlander towns there are buses and matatus for Isiolo. From here there is a daily bus northbound calling at Archer's Post. This little town is close enough to the reserves to allow covering on foot the distance to Buffalo Springs and Samburu. At the gates, you may have the chance to get a lift into the reserves. Twice every day, Samburu's official vehicles make their way from Archer's Post to Samburu Lodge and back. Finally, there is an airstrip near Samburu Lodge.