By KPC Reporter
Samburu County will host the 37th edition of the Rhino Charge later this month.
The event will bring together motorsport enthusiasts, conservationists, and corporate sponsors in one of Kenya’s most unique fundraising events.
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Organised by the Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, the off-road competition is scheduled to run from May 29 to 31, 2026, with the main race set for May 30.
The event blends extreme motorsport with environmental conservation, raising funds for the protection of Kenya’s critical ecosystems.
Clerk of Course Don White confirmed that, in keeping with tradition, the exact location of the rugged course will remain a closely guarded secret until just days before the competition.
However, route notes are expected to begin at Archers Post along the Isiolo–Samburu border.
Since its inception nearly four decades ago, Rhino Charge has raised over KSh 2.7 billion, funding conservation projects across key ecosystems such as the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, the Mau Forest Complex, and Kakamega Forest.
These efforts have focused on protecting water towers and biodiversity-rich landscapes vital to Kenya’s environmental sustainability.
“Over the past year, we have invested considerable resources in the southern part of the Mau, a 158,000-hectare indigenous forest that forms critical catchments for the Mara, Sondu, and Ewaso Nyiro South rivers,” said Christian Lambrechts, Chief Executive Officer of Rhino Ark.
This year’s event has attracted a full entry list of 65 vehicles, including seven new competitors, underlining its continued popularity.
Participants will navigate unforgiving terrain in a test of endurance, strategy, and mechanical resilience, all while supporting conservation.
Among the competitors is 18-year-old Tanav Choda, who is taking part for the third time.
“My passion for both conservation and competition inspired me to take part,” he said, noting that his involvement continues a three-generation family tradition in the event.
Beyond the race itself, activities will include vehicle scrutineering ahead of the challenge and a prize-giving ceremony at the close.
Organisers have also introduced improvements in results accuracy, leveraging enhanced GPS tracking and a strengthened results management system to ensure fairness and precision.
Logistical arrangements are also in place for attendees arriving by air, with organisers advising participants to secure preauthorisation and avoid parking aircraft at designated airstrips to maintain safe operations throughout the event.
The Rhino Charge has evolved into more than just a motorsport spectacle—it is a critical fundraising platform that directly supports conservation initiatives across Kenya.
