COMING UP – THE ANNUAL RHINO CHARGE FUNDRAISER
(Posted 15th May 2015)
One of Kenya’s most visible and most challenging conservation support events, the annual Rhino Charge, has gained popularity since it was first launched in 1989 to raise funds to fence the Aberdare National Park. It will be held this year on Sunday the 31st of May at a location still to be disclosed, kept secret until the very last moment to avoid some of competing team scouting the route and gaining unfair advantage over others.
Wrote Paul Udoto of KWS and Kate Mwangi of RACT in their respective communications yesterday:
Start quote:
Final preparations for the 27th edition of the Rhino Charge, Kenya’s unique off-road competition, are underway at an undisclosed location in the untamed wilds of Northern Kenya. Competing crews and spectators are gearing up ahead of the actual adrenalin-charged motorsport orienteering challenge on Sunday, 31st May, 2015.
It is not only a world renowned motorsport event, but also, and primarily, a major fund raising activity for the conservation efforts of Rhino Ark, the charitable trust which works towards the protection of Kenya’s ‘Water Towers’. Indeed, since its conception in 1989, the Rhino Charge has raised a staggering amount of over KES 1 billion towards the Aberdares, Mt. Kenya and Mt. Eburu in the Mau Forests Complex.
This year’s Rhino Charge main events are as follows:
• Saturday, 30th May – Scrutineering
• Sunday, 31st May – Rhino Charge
• Monday, 1st June – Prize-giving
Like in the previous year, there will be a Media Corner at the Headquarters. At this Corner, journalists who will have registered with Rhino Ark will be provided with a Media Kit. Wi-Fi bundles will be available for purchase at the Media Corner.
Kindly note that general information about the Rhino Charge, as well as updates about the event, including photographs, will be made available online on the new Rhino Charge website www.rhinocharge.co.ke
Press updates can be found on the news page: http://www.rhinocharge.co.ke/press
Live updates on the event will be available here on 31 May via the following link: http://www.rhinocharge.co.ke/results/?tab=LiveUpdates
The digital channels of the Rhino Charge and Rhino Ark are:
| Rhino Charge | Rhino Ark | |
| www.facebook.com/RhinoChargeKenya | www.facebook.com/RhinoArk | |
| @rhino_charge | @RhinoArk | |
| Rhino.Charge | Rhino.Ark | |
| Hashtag | #RhinoCharge | #RhinoArk |
| Youtube | youtube.com/rhinocharge4x4 | – |
| Website | www.rhinocharge.co.ke | www.rhinoark.org |
From 2015 onwards, anyone who wants to come to the Rhino Charge has to purchase an Entry Ticket, a Vehicle Pass (known as Landowner Access Fee (LAF)) and an accommodation package in advance through the new Rhino Charge Ticketing Portal:www.rhinocharge2015.org. These changes have been put in place for the comfort and security of all participants as well as to ensure the environmental friendliness and sustainability of the event.
To the media houses, we are making an exceptional offer with up to 10 Free Entry Tickets (KES 0 down from KES 5,000 per person) and a maximum of 2 discounted Vehicle Passes (KES 4,000 down from KES 10,000 per vehicle).
To benefit from this offer, you have to register with us (kate) before Friday 16th of May 2015, 12:00 midnight (EAT), by providing us with:
1. The list of your team members (names, ID number and email addresses);
2. The number of vehicles;
3. The accommodation you wish to book. There will be NO ENTRY into the Rhino Charge venue on the day of the Charge (31 May 2015). This means that all media representatives will have to book accommodation (including self-camping options) through the three accredited camp operators. More information on accommodation options can be found here: http://rhinocharge.co.ke/spectators/?tab=Accommodation
Please note that the Vehicle Pass (LAF) policy was implemented by the Rhino Charge organisers to benefit the local host communities. The money raised through this fee goes directly to the community for community projects, such as the construction of school classrooms or the installation of a borehole. In 2014, the host community, namely Kalama Wildlife Conservancy, received KES 2.9 Million raised through the LAF. This is a very important contribution and an exceptional way of saying thank you to the host community for letting us run the Rhino Charge on their land.
Upon reception of your registration information, we will send you an invoice and ask you to make your payment by MPESA. Upon receipt of the payment, you will receive your e-vouchers by email for both the Entry Tickets and the Vehicle Passes (LAF). Upon presentation of the e-vouchers at the Venue Check-in, you will receive your wristbands and Vehicle Pass stickers.
If you fail to register with us by Friday 16 May 2015, you may still register as a Spectator through the Rhino Charge Ticketing Portal, but you will then have to pay the full price, namely KES 5,000 per Entry Ticket and KES 10,000 per Vehicle Pass. Kindly note that the Portal will be closed on 20 May 2015 at 12:00 noon (EAT). Through the Portal, you will be able to book and pay for the following:
1. Entry Ticket;
2. Vehicle Pass (LAF);
3. Accommodation.
Please note that you must bring your ID and Press Pass to the venue. NO ID – NO ENTRY.
For further information on the event, please contact:
· Kate Mwangi
· Paul Udoto
(Picture courtesy of KenyaBuzz)
It is as always good luck to all the participants in the event who take time out over one of Kenya’s long weekends to support the country’s greatest conservation cause and fun galore to the spectators who as always will line the most challenging sections to see who succeeds, who fails and who fails most miserably to master the course – and yet walks away heads held high knowing that their contribution has made a difference.
