Samburu to Host 37th Edition of Rhino Charge 2026

Samburu County has officially been announced as the host of the 37th edition of the Rhino Charge 2026, Kenya’s premier off-road motorsport competition that raises funds for wildlife and forest conservation initiatives.

The announcement was made by Clerk of Course Don White during the Drivers’ Briefing held at Braeburn School ahead of the annual conservation-focused event.

The briefing brought together competitors, sponsors, checkpoint crews, officials, camp operators and members of the media as preparations for the highly anticipated competition gathered pace.

In keeping with Rhino Charge tradition, organisers said the exact competition venue will remain confidential until days before the event to preserve the event’s secrecy and competitive integrity. However, route notes are expected to begin at Archers Post on the Isiolo–Samburu border.

Speaking during the briefing, Don White announced that this year’s competition has attracted seven new entrants, a move he said reflects the growing popularity of the event among younger participants.

“We have seven new entrants to the Rhino Charge this year, which signifies growing relevance to a new generation. This not only makes the event more sustainable but also helps us operate at full capacity and secure additional funding for Rhino Ark projects,” said White.

He also highlighted improvements in GPS technology following a comprehensive review aimed at enhancing accuracy during the competition.

“We went through an extensive process of reviewing how to achieve more accurate results in response to increased competitiveness at the event,” he explained.

White further issued a safety reminder to participants arriving by air, emphasizing the need for pre-authorisation of all aircraft accessing the competition area.

“We need to ensure that everyone coming by air gets pre-authorisation. No aircraft should be parked at the airstrips to enable safe operations during the event,” he said.

During the briefing, White introduced new members of the Rhino Charge management team, including Philip Watson, formerly navigator of car number five, who now heads the Rhino Charge Results Committee.

Watson said results management has been improved to ensure teams receive competition results shortly after the event, with disputes handled before the prize-giving ceremony.

Organised by Rhino Ark Charitable Trust, the Rhino Charge has grown into one of Kenya’s most successful conservation fundraising initiatives.

Since its inception in 1989, the event has raised more than Sh2.7 billion towards conservation projects aimed at protecting critical ecosystems such as the Aberdare Range, Mount Kenya, Mau Forest Complex and Kakamega Forest.

This year’s edition has attracted a full entry list of 65 competition vehicles, underlining the event’s enduring popularity and prestige within Kenya’s motorsport scene.

Speaking at the event, Rhino Ark Charitable Trust Chief Executive Officer Christian Lambrechts highlighted major conservation milestones achieved over the past year, particularly in the Southern Mau Forest ecosystem.

“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,” he said.

Lambrechts noted that despite increasing pressure from settlements and land degradation, Rhino Ark and its partners are working to transform the region into a tourism-centred conservation landscape.

He revealed that Rhino Ark has established a new field office in Olenguruone to coordinate implementation of a major European Union-supported conservation programme.

The organisation has also partnered with institutions including IDH/ISLA, KTDA Browns Plantation Kenya and East Africa partners to complete a 32-kilometre electric fence along the northern boundary of South Western Mau.

Lambrechts further reported progress in Rhino Ark’s flagship electric fencing programme across the country.

“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,” he said.

He emphasized that while fencing remains central to conservation efforts, maintaining the infrastructure requires sustainable long-term financing.

“Every kilometre of fence we build is a step toward 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.

Apart from fencing, Rhino Ark continues to support community livelihoods, environmental education, forest restoration and endangered species recovery programmes.

Set against the rugged semi-arid terrain of Samburu, organisers say the 2026 Rhino Charge will combine adventure, innovation and environmental conservation under the theme “Adventure, Community, Conservation.”

According to the organisers, the event will take place from May 29 to 31, 2026. The first day will involve mandatory vehicle scrutineering, the second day will feature the main competition, while the final day will be dedicated to prize giving and the official closing ceremony.