Samburu County has been officially announced as the host of the 37th edition of the Rhino Charge, Kenya’s premier off-road motorsport event that raises funds for forest and wildlife conservation.
The announcement was made this morning by Clerk of Course Don White during the Drivers’ Briefing held at Braeburn School, Nairobi, attended by competitors, sponsors, officials, checkpoint crews, camp operators, and members of the media.
The exact competition location will remain undisclosed until just days before the event, with route notes set to begin at Archer's Post on the Isiolo–Samburu County border, maintaining the event’s tradition of secrecy and competitive integrity.
Don White highlighted several key developments shaping this year’s event. “We have seven new entrants to the Rhino Charge this year, which signifies growing relevance to the new generation. This not only makes the event more sustainable but also helps us operate at full house and secure additional funding for Rhino Ark projects,” he said.
White also discussed the use of GPS technology following a thorough review process.
“We went through a whole process of reviewing how to get more accurate results to keep up with the increased competitiveness at the event”, he explained.
On aviation safety, White issued a critical reminder: “We need to ensure that everyone coming by air gets preauthorisation. No aircraft should be parked at the airstrips to enable safe operations during the event.”
He further introduced new members to the Rhino Charge team, notably Philip Watson, formerly navigator of car number 5, who now leads the Rhino Charge Results Committee.
White invited Watson to the stage to explain improvements in result accuracy.
Watson noted that results will now be shared with each team soon after the event, and any disputes will be dealt with or arbitrated by the Committee of Event Stewards before the prize-giving ceremony.
Organised by Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, the Rhino Charge continues to stand out as a uniquely Kenyan innovation in conservation fundraising.
Since its inception in 1989, the event has raised over Sh 2.7 billion to support the protection of critical ecosystems, including the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, the Mau Forest Complex, and Kakamega Forest.
This year’s event has attracted a full entry list of 65 competition vehicles, underscoring its enduring appeal and competitive prestige.
Speaking at the briefing, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust CEO Christian Lambrechts highlighted significant conservation milestones achieved over the past year, particularly in the Southern Mau Forest.
“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.
This landscape has faced immense pressure from encroachments and settlements, but together with our partners, we are working to transform it into a tourism-centred conservation area,” he said.
Lambrechts noted that Rhino Ark has established a new field office in Olenguruone to coordinate the implementation of a major EU-supported conservation programme, alongside partnerships with private sector actors to advance landscape restoration and protection.
In addition, through a separate partnership with private sector entities, including IDH/ISLA, KTDA Browns Plantation Kenya & East Africa, Rhin Ark completed a 32-km-long fence along the northern boundary of South Western Mau.
He further reported steady progress in the Rhino Ark’s flagship electric fencing programme:
“Fencing on Mount Kenya is progressing well, with 318 kilometres completed to date, while in Kakamega, 50 kilometres of the planned 117-kilometre perimeter fence have been constructed. These interventions are critical in protecting ecosystems from illegal resource extraction and reducing human-wildlife conflict.”
Lambrechts emphasised that while fencing remains a cornerstone of Rhino Ark’s conservation model, it also presents long-term maintenance challenges.
“Every kilometre of fence we build is a step towards safeguarding our ecosystems and communities, but it also increases our maintenance responsibility. To address this, we have established an Endowment Fund to secure sustainable financing for the future of our conservation work,” he added.
He also pointed to broader progress across Rhino Ark’s programmes, including
community livelihoods, environmental education, forest restoration, and endangered species recovery.
Set against Samburu’s rugged semi-arid terrain, the 2026 Rhino Charge promises a compelling blend of adventure, innovation, and environmental purpose.
The region’s dramatic landscapes and rich cultural heritage offer a striking backdrop for this year’s event.
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