Rhino Ark
Rhino Ark is a 1988-founded Kenyan nonprofit that constructs and maintains 853 km of electric fences across five mountain ecosystems to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect endangered species like the black rhino and mountain bongo for 90,000 households.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Rhino Ark does
Rhino Ark is a Kenyan charitable trust founded in 1988 to protect the country's mountain forest ecosystems — critical water catchments for the wider Kenyan economy — through the construction and maintenance of game-proof electric fences. It has built and now maintains 853 km of fencing across five ecosystems: Aberdare (410 km), Mt. Kenya (316 km), Kakamega (50 km of a planned 117 km), South Western Mau (32 km), and Eburu (43 km). The fences mitigate human-wildlife conflict for approximately 90,000 households, with a documented 97% reduction in conflict incidences in Mt. Kenya fenced areas. Core programs include the Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU), a 2010 partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service deploying 220 fence attendants across 21 vehicles; black rhino protection in the 120 km² Eastern Salient; mountain bongo recovery (fewer than 80 remaining in the wild) via camera traps and GIS mapping; conservation education across 184 schools; and forest rehabilitation across six projects.
The organization's revenue model is donation- and event-based. The annual Rhino Charge off-road motorsport competition, running since 1989, has generated cumulative sponsorship of KES 3.085 billion (~$23.9 million) for Rhino Ark projects and KES 88 million for host communities. Revenue streams include individual donations via the website (suggested tiers of $10–$50 plus custom amounts through PayPal), corporate partnerships (Safaricom, M-PESA Foundation, Kenya Pipeline Company, Finlays, Gallagher), grants from UNDP, WWF, Darwin Initiative, and UTaNRMP, and fundraising through international chapters Rhino Ark UK (registered 1995, Charity Commission #1047083) and Rhino Ark USA (501(c)(3), re-domiciled to Wisconsin in 2016). Rhino Ark UK has raised over £2.6 million over 30 years. Distribution occurs via direct community engagement, government partnership, website donations, and UK/US chapters, while GTM combines community-led sensitization, event-driven fundraising, and direct-to-consumer online giving.
Rhino Ark firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rhino Ark
- Legal name
- Rhino Ark Kenya Charitable Trust
- Website
- https://rhinoark.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Rhino Ark is a 1988-founded Kenyan nonprofit that constructs and maintains 853 km of electric fences across five mountain ecosystems to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect endangered species like the black rhino and mountain bongo for 90,000 households.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rhino Ark industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wildlife Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC)
Keywords
Where Rhino Ark is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Rhino Ark business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Sponsorships: Individual and corporate donations through the website and direct contributions. Rhino Charge teams raise sponsorship funds for conservation projects. Rhino Ark UK has helped raise over £2.6 million over 30 years.
- Event Fundraising: Annual Rhino Charge off-road competition generates funds through team participation fees and sponsorships. Total sponsorship raised by Rhino Charge teams amounts to KES 3,085,000,000 ($23,914,728) to date.
- Corporate Partnerships: Support from corporate entities including Safaricom PLC, M-PESA Foundation, Kenya Pipeline Company, Finlays, and Gallagher for specific fence projects and conservation initiatives.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One-time | Suggested donation tiers for general conservation support |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
Rhino Ark product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rhino Ark is a nonprofit charitable trust that constructs and maintains game-proof electric fences around Kenya's mountain forest ecosystems (Aberdare, Mt. Kenya, Kakamega, SW Mau, Eburu) to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect endangered species including the black rhino and mountain bongo. It operates the Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU) in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service, runs community engagement and conservation education programs in 184 schools, and funds its activities through donations, corporate sponsorships, and the annual Rhino Charge off-road competition.
Product overview
Rhino Ark is a conservation nonprofit organization, not a technology company. It operates a portfolio of interconnected conservation programs centered on protecting Kenya's mountain forest ecosystems. The core offering is the electric fence construction and maintenance program (853km total), complemented by the Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit for community-based patrol operations, species-specific conservation initiatives for black rhinos and mountain bongos, and community engagement and education programs. The Rhino Charge annual off-road competition serves as the primary fundraising vehicle. The organization maintains two international offices (UK and USA) and partners with government agencies including Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Rhino Charge: Annual off-road motorsport competition held in Kenya since 1989, serving as the primary fundraising event for Rhino Ark's conservation projects.
- Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU)
Products and services
- Electric Fence Construction and Maintenance Game-proof electrified fencing built and maintained around protected forest ecosystems to prevent human-wildlife conflict and illegal activities. Total of 853 kilometres of fences constructed and maintained across Aberdare, Mt. Kenya, Kakamega, South Western Mau, and Eburu.
- Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU) Partnership between Rhino Ark and Kenya Wildlife Service engaging local communities in forest patrolling, illegal activity reduction, de-snaring operations, and tree degeneration monitoring.
- Black Rhino Conservation Protection program for the critically endangered black rhinoceros in the Eastern Salient of Aberdare National Park, covering 120 km² and home to the highest black rhino population in the park.
- Mountain Bongo Protection Program Conservation initiative for the critically endangered mountain bongo antelope (Tragelaphus eurycerus isaaci) with fewer than 100 individuals remaining, using camera traps and GIS mapping for population monitoring across Mt. Kenya, Mau, and Eburu ecosystems.
- Conservation Education Environmental education programs including the 410 km Aberdare Fence Relay Run involving more than 600 children from 184 schools, and conservation curricula delivered across primary and secondary schools.
- Community Engagement Community outreach and sensitization program for forest-edge communities on fence construction, maintenance, gate management, and forest protection across Mt. Kenya, Aberdares, Mau Eburu, South Western Mau, and Kakamega Forests.
- Human-Wildlife Conflict Intervention Programs to reduce human-wildlife conflict through electric fencing, with documented 97% reduction in conflict incidences in Mt. Kenya and protection of approximately 90,000 households.
- Forest Rehabilitation Reforestation and ecosystem restoration initiatives including reforestation of degraded areas and the establishment of two wildlife corridors between protected forests and surrounding dispersal areas.
- Rhino Charge Annual off-road motorsport competition held since 1989 to raise funds for Rhino Ark's conservation projects, including the Aberdare Electric Fence Project, generating team entry and sponsorship fees.
- Rhino Ark USA US-based registered charity with IRC 501(c)(3) status focused on awareness raising, networking, and fundraising support for Rhino Ark Kenya, with PR support from Ballantines PR.
- Rhino Ark UK UK-based sister charity submitting grant applications, holding fundraising events, and promoting Rhino Ark's cause in the United Kingdom, with membership in the 1% for the Planet network.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% reduction in human-wildlife conflict incidences (from 117 per annum to 3 per annum) in Mt. Kenya fenced areas
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Rhino Ark
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Rhino Ark technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Rhino Ark partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)coreFounding government partner for all fence projects. KWS managed construction of the Aberdare electric fence and partners with Rhino Ark on the Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU) founded in 2010.
- Kenya Forest Service (KFS)coreGovernment partner in all fence and conservation projects, working alongside Rhino Ark and KWS on public-private partnership initiatives.
- Wilder InstitutecorePartner in mountain bongo conservation efforts, collaborating on species recovery programs.
- Mount Kenya TrustcoreLocal partner for Mt. Kenya conservation activities and fence project support.
- WWF (World Wildlife Fund)majorGlobal conservation organization partner supporting wildlife protection initiatives.
- Space for GiantscorePartner in Mt. Kenya fence project and elephant conservation.
- British Army Training Unit KenyaminorGovernment partner supporting Mt. Kenya conservation efforts.
- Bongo Surveillance Project (BSP)coreFounded by Mike Prettejohn in 2004, BSP receives funding and logistical support from Rhino Ark for mountain bongo protection and population monitoring.
- GallaghercoreProvider of electric fence technology and equipment for conservation fencing projects.
- County Government of KakamegacoreLocal government partner for Kakamega Forest fence project.
- NRT (Northern Rangelands Trust)majorRegional partner supporting community conservancy and conservation efforts.
- Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife (Kenya)coreNational government ministry providing policy support and institutional backing.
- Ministry of Forestry and Environment (Kenya)coreNational government ministry supporting forest conservation initiatives.
- Eburru RafikicoreLocal community organization partner in Eburu ecosystem conservation.
- Ballantines PRmajorAward-winning PR firm providing public relations and media support for Rhino Ark USA.
- Goodwood EstateminorUK venue providing charity event entry tickets and support, potential future event venue.
- BritpartmajorSponsor of Car 9 in Rhino Charge and supporters of Rhino Ark UK with presence at Goodwood Festival of Speed.
- 1% for the PlanetmajorGlobal network connecting businesses with environmental nonprofits; Rhino Ark UK joined as Environmental Partner.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Rhino Ark competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- African Wildlife Foundation: Pan-African conservation nonprofit operating across Kenya and East Africa on habitat protection, wildlife corridors, and community-based conservation—directly comparable mission and geography to Rhino Ark.
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy: Large Kenyan conservancy focused on black rhino conservation (highest density in East Africa) and community programs; directly competes for rhino-protection donor dollars and conservation talent.
- Tusk Trust: UK-based conservation funding NGO active across Africa, including as a financial partner to Rhino Ark; comparable donor mobilization model and overlapping beneficiary wildlife/ecosystems.
- Northern Rangelands Trust: Kenyan community-conservancy umbrella organization already partnered with Rhino Ark; uses similar community-based governance and conservation models across Northern and Laikipia landscapes.
- Space for Giants: Kenya-focused elephant and landscape conservation NGO already partnered with Rhino Ark on Mt. Kenya; operates in overlapping geography with comparable species-protection and HWC (human-wildlife conflict) programming.
- Save the Elephants: Kenya-based NGO focused on elephant research and protection; Sarah Robarts (a Rhino Ark trustee) sits on its board, evidencing direct overlap in constituency, donor base, and Northern Kenya landscape priorities.
- Big Life Foundation: Kenya/Tanzania community-based conservation NGO running ranger patrols and anti-poaching operations—comparable funding model (donor-driven) and adjacent focus on human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
- Mount Kenya Trust: Local Kenyan trust focused on Mt. Kenya ecosystem health and conservation—directly overlaps with Rhino Ark's Mt. Kenya fence operations and shares community-engagement approaches.
Broad incumbents
- Wildlife Conservation Society: Large global NGO running field conservation programs including in Kenya, with comparable species-protection and habitat-management mandates but operating across many countries and a wider portfolio.
- WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature): Global conservation giant and an existing Rhino Ark partner; runs overlapping wildlife and habitat programs in Kenya with much larger scale and brand reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rhino Ark social profiles
Digital presenceRhino Ark financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rhino Ark leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Rhino Ark subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Rhino Ark funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rhino Ark M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rhino Ark
What does Rhino Ark do?
Rhino Ark is a nonprofit charitable trust that constructs and maintains game-proof electric fences around Kenya's mountain forest ecosystems (Aberdare, Mt. Kenya, Kakamega, SW Mau, Eburu) to reduce human-wildlife conflict and protect endangered species including the black rhino and mountain bongo. It operates the Aberdare Joint Surveillance Unit (AJSU) in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service, runs community engagement and conservation education programs in 184 schools, and funds its activities through donations, corporate sponsorships, and the annual Rhino Charge off-road competition.
Is Rhino Ark a public or private company?
Rhino Ark is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Rhino Ark founded?
Rhino Ark was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Rhino Ark based?
Rhino Ark is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does Rhino Ark make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Donations and Sponsorships are the primary driver. The others are event Fundraising and corporate Partnerships.
Who are Rhino Ark's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are African Wildlife Foundation, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Tusk Trust, Northern Rangelands Trust, Space for Giants, Save the Elephants, Big Life Foundation and Mount Kenya Trust. Broad incumbents are Wildlife Conservation Society and WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature).
Does Rhino Ark have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rhino Ark.
What industry is Rhino Ark in?
Rhino Ark's product category is Wildlife Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAB, Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection, with a secondary code of BPAGAIAC, Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release. Its NAICS code is 813312.