Sarova Hotels & Resorts in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries & Irrigation and Forestry, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and the Tsavo Heritage Foundation (THF) will this year host the annual conservation awareness campaign for Tsavo, dubbed The Tsavo Run 2019 on 7th December.
The purpose of the event is to create awareness on the conservation work taking place within the Tsavo Ecosystem & Dispersal Areas –TEDA which is a landmass that covers 12 Counties including Nairobi, Kajiado, Makueni, Machakos, Kitui, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Garissa, Kwale, Kilifi, Lamu, and Mombasa to support livelihoods of approximately 20 million people.
The initiative is set to drive the conservation agenda of the highly endangered Tsavo Ecosystem & Dispersal Areas (TEDA) landscape, while supporting the iconic Tsavo National Parks, Africa’s largest protected wilderness and Kenya largest Wilderness by far covering over 70% of the total protected areas nationally.
According to Tsavo Heritage Foundation (THF) Founder and Chief Executive Chairman Jacob Kipongoso, the ecological biodiversity, cultural and historical heritage of these counties are under threat from adverse effects of unsustainable land use, environ-mental degradation, inappropriate management of natural resources and the effects of climate change.
“These threats have manifested themselves in form of recurrent droughts which has affected the supply of water to the cities in Tsavo ecosystem including Mombasa and Nairobi.” he echoes
Mr. Kipongoso says the loss of forest cover, reduced river flow and the effects of climate change have led to systematic desertification of two Parks, with devastating economic effects to the communities living within Tsavo ecosystem.
Sarova Hotels & Resorts Managing Director Jimi Kariuki reiterated that sports tourism is a growing segment of the tourism industry both at national and county levels. He added that there is great potential in the sub-sector that can largely contribute to the national economy if it is promoted well.
He called upon the public to participate in large numbers as the run will take place in a very scenic route and is the only course where one can run with a herds of elephants in sight.
The Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks which, together, comprise Africa’s largest wilderness reserve and holds one third of Kenya’s total elephant population.
The registration is ongoing at tsavorun.org
Participation is as follows;
TsavoUltra84 - The ultra-marathon in Tsavo, this is an endurance race for individuals looking to conquer 84km in the sweltering heat that is Tsavo. Participants will have to show proof of fitness and will have a maximum of ten hours to clear the race circuit and loop.
Tsavo Ekiden – 21km 4 pax per team
14km 6 pax per team
6km 14 pax per team
Tsavo Rides – Tsavo Rides 40
Tsavo Rides 30
Tsavo Rides 20
Tsavo Tides 10
