The annual Rhino Charge is a fund raising event organised by Rhino Ark for the protection of the Aberdares mountain range and its eco-systems.Rhino Ark was formed back in 1988, at the time when Kenya’s rhino was severely under threat from poaching. Its aims are to build a fence around the Aberdare Conservation area comprising the Aberdares National Park and the surrounding forest. The fence will help protect wildlife from poaching but also prevent game from marauding at night into the farms neighbouring the conservation area, destroying crops, creating fear and loss of revenue. It will therefore contribute to resolving human/wildlife conflict. The fence also aims at curb other illegal activities, including log extraction and charcoal production. By early 2006, 240 of the 320 kilometres long fence has been completed. The prime fundraiser has been the now
famous off road annual Rhino Charge. A restricted number of entries totaling 55 four wheel drives tackle impossible terrain to complete the shortest distance between twelve ‘guard posts’ by travelling in a straight a line as is feasible. To enter the event, teams from Kenya and overseas have to raise as much money as they can
for the sponsorship of this cause.

Look also at the following sites:
http://www.rhinoark.org
http://www.unep.org/dewa/assessments/ecosystems/land
/mountain/aberdare/index.asp
http://www.justgiving.com/Car46RhinoCharge2008

Key water catchment
The Aberdare Range stretches over 125kilometres. It is the third highest mountain in Kenya. The Range plays a critical role in water catchment for Kenya and is one of the five main “water towers” of Kenya. The Aberdares feed Sasumua and Ndakaini dams, which provide most of the water for Nairobi - a city of more than two million
people.The eastern slopes are catchments of the Tana River, Kenya’s largest river, that supplies water to the Seven Forks hydropower plants where over 55 percent of Kenya’s total electricity output is generated. The northern slopes are catchments for the Ewaso Nyiro River, the main river crossing the semi-arid Laikipia plateau and the Samburu plains and deserts beyond. The Malewa River, the major surface source of water for Lake Naivasha, originates from the north-western slopes.

Major host of biodiversity
The Aberdares have a rich diversity of vegetation types that result mainly from the wide range in altitude and rainfall. The Aberdares host a wide variety of plant species. A study carried out in 1986-88 identified 778
species, subspecies and varieties in the Aberdare National Park alone. Common hardwood tree species include Camphor,Cedar, Podo and Hagenia.The Aberdare Range forests host a number of threatened fauna species. The Jackson Mongoose, endemic to Kenya’s montane forests and the rarely seen golden cat are two threatened mammals. Other large threatened mammals of international conservation interest that occur in Aberdare forests are Bongo, Giant Forest Hog, black rhino, elephant, Leopard and African Hunting Dog. In addition, the forest harbours Bushbuck, Mountain Reedbuck, waterbuck, Cape Buffalo, suni,Side-striped Jackel and Eland.

Driver: Andres Bifani (O+) indefatigable safari story teller, intrepid adventurer from birth, is also a filmmaker, photographer and an enthusiastic 4X4 challenger. From his Nairobi based company, Location Africa Films, he runs productions across Africa. Conflict areas, impenetrable forests, virgin deserts, whatever, wherever the job at hand, his motto remains unshaken: a little piece of paradise is always to
be found to set camp and enjoy first class sundowners to get by the days emotions, seldom few. For more information visit: www.locationafricafilms.com

Navigator: Aldric Spindler (A+) Director of Red Lands Roses Ltd, a leading rose farm in Africa specialized in highest quality flowers for the direct export market. Red Lands Roses focuses on environmentally friendly growing systems,Corporate Social Responsibility and has been the first Fair Trade and MPS certified farm in
Kenya. Born in France, Aldric (MSc in plant breeding), first worked in the seed industry for various multinationals and traveled the world. He has started his own farm 17 years ago in Ruiru, Kenya, sold it and joined Red Lands as a Director two years ago to work with his wife also a director. For more info visit:
www.redlandsroses.com

Head of crew: Cris Bifani (A+) of British, Italian and Chilean heritage…among others,  born in Paris in 84, grew up in Kenya, France  Australia and the UK - strolls around the world like one would go to the local store to get bread. With toothbrush,  spare T-shirt and underwear, super-efficient, super-strong and super-jovial, he is always ready and keen to go - A true citizen of the planet. In synchronicity with nature, Cris has worked from an early age as a tree surgeon and landscaper. He is presently MD of the The Tree Care Company in Devon, UK, and a husband-to-be after a successful charge

Crew: Arthur Itotia (O+) Marketing Manager for Vestergaard Frandsen EA Ltd; a Swiss based multinational that specializes in Disease Control Textiles and solutions for clean and safe drinking water. The company is the global leader in the manufacture of long lasting insecticide treated mosquitoes in the fight against malaria. Their net goes under the brand name of PermaNet. More details in their web site
www.vestergaard-frandsen.com

Crew: Mindo Gatimu (O+) He’s the guy with inexhaustible energy that will run the charge several times over exploring the so called “route”, intrepid, always keen to dive into emptiness or climb a cliff on all fours if it seems the more appropriate or fun way to go. But above all he’s the “machine man”, the one you want to have around when the dif and the pump or the alternator goes. In short: in charge of fixing whatever, wherever with whatever is available. Bush mechanics, you know, is like pulling cards out of your sleeve when you’re not
even wearing a shirt. He is the Director of Shift Auto Services, an upcoming vehicle repair workshop.

Crew: Tony Robert (A+) Soft spoken to disguise the wild heart! An aid worker who has trod some of the most treacherous zones of conflict Horn of Africa and Great lakes but never forgetting to assimilate the beauties that Africa harbours. He is a big motor enthusiast and with his experience in ‘no’-road travelling, in some cases for his own survival, will make an interesting crew member of 46 if not a tough one to make content. Tony believes in sustainable community development through local initiatives

Crew: Bjorn Forslind Sailor, skier, rider, modest adventurer with a weak spot for equipment andsituations in need of fixing in impossiblesituations. Living & working in Nairobi since October 2006. Professional background in international logistics, trading, Insurance, risk management, financial controlling and quality
management.

OUR VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS OVER THE YEARS:

Ohchi Nursery, Sa Richel Serres, Nicolas Maitre, Jorge Maia, Mauro, Yoko, Isabelle Spindler,Denis Borrow,Talisman, Next Technologies, Radbone-Clark Ke.Ltd, Transami, Nettshoppe Uganda, Photogenic Uganda Ltd, Melcome Marketing Zambia Ltd, VesterGaard-Frandsen Sa Ltd, Redland Roses, Maniago Travel Ltd, Shift Auto Service, Resoures Quest, Christian Lambrechts, Alexis Peltier, Michel Laplace Toulouse, Kwik Fit; Vestergaard Frandsen (EA) Ltd., Pollen Ltd, Yokohama, African Latitude, Location Africa Films Ltd, John Dingley, Anne Wattebled, Rafael & Victor Beaume-Laurent, Hermann Winter, Diane O'Connor, Patrick Mataye, Joana Akrofi, Munyaradze Chenje, Salit Diop, Tessa Goverse, Marcus Lee, Sean Khan, Johannes Akiwumi, Nalini Sharma, Thierry Dedliveira, Ivar Baste, Norberto Fernandez, Ashu Sharma, Lavington Green Service Station, Tana Kyhle Kahr, Montys Wines & SP, Wouter J. Verwiel/ Carnivore, Jayan Asher, David Grantham, Sarah Makumbi, Lilian Herst, Chris Whiteman, Sher Safaris/Rajay, John Quail, Tarpo/Nilesh Shah, Margaret W. Ayub, Mindo Gatimu, Caroline Gatimu, Willis Ouma Onyango, Murimiri Mathai, William Mayan, Dr. Ngile John, Ndirito Maina, Henry Mbote, Peter Ndugu, Ngau Maluhu, George Kariuki, Sam Waullu, Kilara Kimari, George Wilseda, Richard Kimanyi, Pascale Dussaud,