Jambo and welcome to Rhino Charge Team 41 - the home of the DeRanged Rover.
Thank you for visiting our page. Just a few more clicks and your generous donation will be on its way to the Rhino Ark and you will have played your part in safeguarding one of the most beautiful places on earth for future generations to enjoy ... Remember, every little bit helps but a slightly larger bit helps even more :).
Want to know more about the Rhino Charge and what it involves? Read on ...
So ... What's the Rhino Charge? The aim of the charge is to make your way in a 4wd vehicle to as many checkpoints as possible, across the most challenging and grueling terrain that Africa has to offer in the shortest possible distance! This means cutting across and through bush, rivers and even on occassion winching oneself up and down cliffs! For a glimpse of what is involved, check out the pictures on this page and also Rhino Ark Gallery and the Rhino Charge Website.
But its not all fun and games … there is a very serious purpose behind all this … and that is wildlife and ecosystem conservation in Kenya including the Aberdare National Park and Rainforest, one of the last sanctuaries of the endangered Black Rhino and elusive Bongo and the water catchment area for almost half of Kenya's rapidly growing population. The project was initiated over 20 years ago with the aim of building and maintaining an electric fence around the Aberdares National Park to keep the animals in and the people out! That fence was finally completed in 2009 and Rhino Ark has now turned its attention to fencing off the Mt Kenya and Mau Mt Eburru areas - again fragile ecosystems that have been servely affected by human encroachment and illegal land grabbing and deforestation. For more details of the Rhino Ark and its mission click here.
Team No 41 made its debut at the 2008 Rhino Charge - Although our official vehicle the DeRanged Rover (check out her pics) did not make it to Charge, we went ahead in a standard Land Rover without 4WD and still managed to complete the course, one of a handful of teams to do so! That year we were awarded the "Spirit of the Charge" prize for our exploits. DeRanged Rover finally made her debut at the 2009 Charge and blew everyone away with what she could do ... nothing that the rocky Northern Kenyan terrain could throw at her was too much - of course that meant we got even more and more daring as the photos show ;). 2010 was a gruelling challenge in 40 degree heat in Magadi ... again DeRanged and her team were in fine form and it was only a smashed suspension system (which involved 3 hours of roadside repairs and the filing through of reinforced steel bolts with a leatherman!) that deprived her of another stellar finish.
Since 2008 Team 41 has through its participation in the Rhino Charge, raised over $30,000 towards the Rhino Ark cause. And none of that would have been achievable without all our supporters and their generous donations.
The 2011 Rhino Charge has now been confirmed for 3rd June 2011 at a secret venue and work is already underway on the DeRanged Rover (and her crew) to get fighting fit for her next outing. This year, we, Team 41, hope to raise at least KShs. 1 Million ($15,000) for the Rhino Ark through a combination of fund-raising, marathon running, sky diving and corporate sponsorship. And for that, we need all your assistance and support! Remember, any donation, however small, is welcome.
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Rhino Ark will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.
So please sponsor us now!
Thank you so much for your kind donation and support of this worthy cause! And please pass on this site to all you know so that they too may do their bit for our wonderful planet!
Asante Sana from Team No. 41
PS. Please also visit and join our Facebook Group for more pics, stories and updates.
