Off-road enthusiasts tackle the Lower Zambezi for a cause—raising over ZMW4.4 million for wildlife conservation.
A Race with a Purpose
On 28th September 2024, the rugged Lower Mukwisi area of the Lower Zambezi escarpment echoed with the sounds of revving engines as 24 teams in 4×4 vehicles tackled the untamed terrain for this year’s Elephant Charge. Fuchs, the event’s long-standing naming sponsor, once again lent its support to this adrenaline-packed off-road challenge. Now in its 17th year, the event raised ZMW4.4 million ($167,000) for wildlife conservation projects across Zambia, bringing the total raised since its inception in 2008 to an impressive $1.9 million, edging ever closer to the $2 million milestone.
Inspired by Kenya’s Rhino Charge, the Elephant Charge was initially established to raise funds for Zambia’s rich natural heritage. The event supports projects focusing on the country’s next generation of conservationists, mainly through its long-standing support of the Chongololo Club of Zambia. Since the 1970s, this club has been dedicated to educating young Zambians about conservation and fostering a sense of responsibility and love for the environment among schoolchildren. Funds raised from the Elephant Charge also go toward other critical wildlife conservation projects run by Game Rangers International, Musekese Conservation, BirdWatch Zambia, and more.