The 36th edition of the Rhino Charge was the first she attended, and Winnie Nyaga was exhilarated.
“It’s just been an insane experience. I’ve hiked hills to make it to some checkpoints. So much fun. So wholesome. A celebration of environmental sustainability, a celebration of everything that is important to me, so I must do it again,” Winnie said at the end of the experience.
Had he heard them, the remarks would have been music to the ears of Christian Lambrechts, the Executive Director of Rhino Ark, the event’s organisers, as they capture the kind of sentiment they have been aiming for.
“The Rhino Charge is a truly and unique Kenyan event, and we feel that the entire Kenyan society has to be represented in this event in the competition, fundraising and attending as fans,” explained Christian Lambrechts, the Executive Director, Rhino Ark.
Held since 1989 and with 36 editions now completed, ensuring the future of the Rhino Charge is secure, weighs heavily on the minds of organisers.
The event is one to be experienced, to be understood and for its spirit of charging through the bush, community and love for conservation to be fully appreciated. Once one has a taste of the Rhino Charge, they usually go back for more.
While the annual off-road 4×4 competition aims to raise funds to support the conservation and protection of Kenya’s critical water towers, it is also an adrenaline junkie’s dream.
In addition to ensuring a steady flow of chargers, fans, the organisers also need a steady flow of volunteers who make the event run like a well-oiled engine.
The 2025 Rhino Charge held in Saimo-Soi, Baringo county attracted 64 vehicles. Team Huzi (Car No. 33), led by Jeremy Holley, took top honors after successfully navigating all 13 checkpoints.
Safaricom-sponsored Adil Khawaja of Car No. 44 (AK44) was the top fundraiser raising KES 139.8 million of the total KES. 269.5 million raised.
At the same time, Safaricom-sponsored EV Explorers made history as the first electric vehicle to participate in the extreme off-road competition.
Looking further into the future, with the world going green and electric cars being in vogue, more zero emission cars will feature in the Rhino Charge.
The support and welcome of communities across the country is also critical for the continued success of Rhino Charge.
To date Rhino Ark has built 650 km of electric fences and through the fencing programmes, over 80,000 families are being protected from the dangers of human-wildlife conflicts.
The next event is set for 30th May 2026.
Watch the video below to learn more about the future of the Rhino Charge.
