• The venue of the annual motorsport and fundraiser, which is usually kept secret until a few days before the actual race, will be revealed next week.
• The secrecy around the venue remains one of the thrills of the charge.
Image: GILBERT KOECH
The 34th edition of Rhino Charge will be held on June 3 in the untamed wilds of northern Kenya.
Fifty-two competitors have been registered to participate in this year’s event.
“Since the resumption of the charge in 2021, after cancelling the 2020 edition over Covid-related concerns, we have witnessed a growing enthusiasm towards the event and increased support for the conservation work we do at Rhino Ark," the Clerk of the Course Don White said.
"I feel so indebted to all those who are contributing their time and expertise to make the Charge such a successful fundraising event.”
The venue of the annual motorsport and fundraiser, which is usually kept secret until a few days before the actual race, will be revealed next week.
The secrecy around the venue remains one of the thrills of the charge.
Last year, the event was held in Kajiado county.
Then, 54 out of a maximum 65 potential competitors took part in the Charge, due to various reasons, including mechanical failure.
Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust executive director and organising committee member Christian Lambrechts said last year's event raised Sh156 million.
“With that support, we continued and expanded our conservation programme. These include the maintenance of 720km of fence that protect more than 85,000 households from human-wildlife conflict. We have an extensive conservation education programme benefiting 178 primary and secondary schools in our areas of operation,” Lambrechts said.
“We have also three teams of community scouts engaged in desnaring and forest protection in Eburu, Aberdares and Mt Kenya."
He said the Kakamega Forest Conservation and Fencing Project in Western Kenya was launched on February 24.
Already, the first 15km of the perimeter electric fence has been completed.
In addition, over the past year, Rhino Ark Trust has built an additional 30 kilometres of comprehensive fence on Mt Kenya.
The Rhino Charge has a reputation as a unique formula and one of the toughest motorsports in the world.
It has happened 33 times and is an annual off-road 4×4 competition held in Kenya in which entrants are required to visit 13 points (guard posts) while travelling the shortest possible distance across difficult, trackless terrain, where speed is not a necessity.
The event is organised to raise funds to support the activities of Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust.
The event is limited to 65 teams/cars, and cars can be super-modified, modified or unmodified.
Each entrant must pledge and raise a minimum sponsorship fee between Sh750,000 and Sh1.5 million to enter the event.
Most entrants, however, raise considerably more.
New entrants may enter with a minimum pledge of Sh300,000.
The Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust supports the protection of Kenya’s water towers, and through its activities has protected the Aberdare Mountain Range and Eburu Forest and is also engaged in the protection of Mt Kenya Forest, South Western Mau Forest and Kakamega Forest.
The work that Rhino Ark does has benefits for the entire Kenyan economy.
According to the organisers, scrutineering is set to take place on June 2.
Scrutineering involves the inspection of competitor cars to ensure compliance with the rules, sealing of distance measuring device units, drivers’ briefing and issuance of competition maps.
On Saturday, the event will take place before the winners are awarded on June 4. The funds raised will also be announced.