Samburu County has been confirmed as the venue for the 37th installment of the Rhino Charge, Kenya’s leading off-road motorsport competition dedicated to raising money for forest and wildlife conservation efforts.
The declaration was made today by Clerk of Course Don White during the Drivers’ Briefing conducted at Braeburn School in Nairobi, which was attended by participants, sponsors, officials, checkpoint teams, camp operators, and media representatives.
The precise competition site will be kept confidential until shortly before the event, with route instructions scheduled to commence at Archer’s Post on the Isiolo–Samburu County boundary, preserving the event’s tradition of secrecy and competitive fairness.
Don White outlined several significant developments influencing this year’s competition. “We have seven new participants joining the Rhino Charge this year, which indicates increasing appeal to the younger generation. This not only makes the event more sustainable but also enables us to operate at full capacity and secure additional funding for Rhino Ark initiatives,” he stated.
White also addressed the implementation of GPS technology following a comprehensive evaluation process.
“We underwent an extensive process of evaluating how to achieve more precise results to match the heightened competitiveness at the event”, he explained.
Regarding aviation safety, White issued an important reminder: “We must ensure that all individuals arriving by air obtain prior authorization. No aircraft should be parked at the airstrips to facilitate safe operations during the event.”
He further introduced new additions to the Rhino Charge team, particularly Philip Watson, previously the navigator for car number 5, who now heads the Rhino Charge Results Committee.
White invited Watson to the podium to elaborate on enhancements in result accuracy.
Watson mentioned that results will now be shared with each team shortly after the event, and any disagreements will be resolved or arbitrated by the Committee of Event Stewards before the awards ceremony.
Organized by Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, the Rhino Charge continues to represent a distinctive Kenyan approach to conservation fundraising.
Since its beginning in 1989, the event has collected over Sh 2.7 billion to support the preservation of vital ecosystems, including the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, the Mau Forest Complex, and Kakamega Forest.
This year’s competition has drawn a complete lineup of 65 racing vehicles, highlighting its lasting popularity and competitive significance.
Speaking at the briefing, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust CEO Christian Lambrechts emphasized important conservation accomplishments achieved during the past year, especially in the Southern Mau Forest.
“Over the past year, we have allocated substantial resources to the southern section of the Mau, a 158,000-hectare natural forest that serves critical watersheds for the Mara, Sondu, and Ewaso Nyiro South rivers.
This landscape has encountered substantial pressure from encroachments and settlements, but in collaboration with our partners, we are striving to convert it into a tourism-focused conservation area,” he said.
Lambrechts noted that Rhino Ark has established a new field office in Olenguruone to manage the implementation of a major EU-supported conservation program, along with partnerships with private sector entities to promote landscape restoration and protection.
Additionally, through a separate partnership with private sector organizations, including IDH/ISLA, KTDA Browns Plantation Kenya & East Africa, Rhino Ark completed a 32-kilometer-long fence along the northern boundary of South Western Mau.
He further reported consistent progress in the Rhino Ark’s flagship electric fencing program:
“Fencing on Mount Kenya is advancing successfully, with 318 kilometers completed to date, while in Kakamega, 50 kilometers of the planned 117-kilometer perimeter fence have been constructed. These measures are essential in protecting ecosystems from unlawful resource extraction and decreasing human-wildlife conflict.”
Lambrechts stressed that while fencing remains a fundamental aspect of Rhino Ark’s conservation approach, it also presents long-term maintenance challenges.
“Every kilometer of fence we construct is a step toward protecting our ecosystems and communities, but it also raises our maintenance responsibility. To tackle this, we have established an Endowment Fund to ensure sustainable financing for the future of our conservation work,” he added.
He also highlighted broader advancements across Rhino Ark’s programs, including community livelihoods, environmental education, forest restoration, and endangered species recovery.
Set against Samburu’s challenging semi-arid landscape, the 2026 Rhino Charge offers a compelling mix of adventure, innovation, and environmental purpose.
The region’s striking landscapes and diverse cultural heritage provide a remarkable setting for this year’s competition.