The Mountain Bongo, a critically endangered antelope found only in Kenya, is facing a fight for survival. With fewer than 100 individuals left in the wild, urgent conservation action is needed.
On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), in partnership with KPC Foundation, launched the 4th annual Trek for the Bongo. The four-day hike to Mt. Kenya’s Lenana Peak aims to raise awareness and funds for the conservation of this rare species.
The event, themed “Save the Mountain Bongo”, combines the challenge of high-altitude adventure with meaningful conservation impact. Fourteen brave hikers will summit Mt. Kenya to support the species’ rewilding program and highlight the importance of protecting its natural habitat.
Dr. Robert Aruho, Head of MKWC, spoke at the flag-off event at Naro Moru Gate. He said, “The reduction in Bongo numbers has been due to poaching and diseases. Since 2004, we have been working to restore their population. This hike helps create strong visibility for the Mountain Bongo and strengthens conservation efforts.”
KPC Foundation Manager Rachael Gathoni urged both private and public stakeholders to support the initiative. She said the foundation invested Sh5 million in the first activity and plans to continue funding throughout the year, targeting Sh100 million. The funds will support re-breeding and rewilding programs, veterinary services, habitat restoration, and the use of technology in conservation.
Since 2022, MKWC, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and Kenya Forest Service, has operated the world’s first Mountain Bongo sanctuary. The 776-acre Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary, located on Mt. Kenya’s slopes, aims to rebreed and rewild 750 Bongos by 2050.
Through initiatives like the Trek for the Bongo, MKWC and KPC Foundation are working to protect Kenya’s natural heritage. Their efforts ensure that the Mountain Bongo, an iconic part of Mt. Kenya’s ecosystem, will survive for future generations.
