---
title: "This Rivian R1T Safari Rig Looks Like the Ultimate All-Terrain Golf Cart"
description: "The electric Rivian R1T makes the perfect outdoor safari truck in Kenya, which also uses it to hunt poachers."
date: "2023-04-03"
modified: "2023-04-03"
authors:
  - name: "James Gilboy"
    job_title: "Contributing Writer"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/james-gilboy"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/rivian-r1t-safari-trucks-patrol-for-poachers-in-kenya"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Rivian News"
tags:
  - "Electric Vehicle"
  - "pickup"
  - "Rivian"
  - "Truck"
---

# This Rivian R1T Safari Rig Looks Like the Ultimate All-Terrain Golf Cart

![Rivian R1T Safari Rig](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/03/Rivian-Safari-Hero.jpg>)

Electric trucks' silent operation helps them excel at exploring the outdoors. It also helps in caring for it too, like the [Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust](<https://maasaiwilderness.org/2022/10/13/mwct-goes-electric/>) does with [Rivian R1T](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/2022-rivian-r1t-electric-pickup-review-features-price-competitors-info>) pickups custom-modified for safari duty.

These photos of the trucks were taken by an environmental lawyer visiting Kenya and then circulated on [Rivian Forums](<https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/rivian-r1t-convertible-rhd-spotted-in-kenya.13984/>) and [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/groups/293922888228474/posts/1266510930969660/?comment_id=1266553504298736>). They show a [Rivian](<https://www.thedrive.com/category/rivian-news>) [converted to right-hand drive](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33392/the-mercedes-benz-unimog-has-the-most-incredible-trick-steering-wheel>) (Kenya drives on the left), and its cab cut away from its beltline up. That allows it to fit a safari canopy and four rows of seats, for a passenger capacity of eight, with excellent visibility in all directions.

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/03/IMG_20230401_003912.jpeg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/03/IMG_20230401_003917.jpeg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/03/IMG_20230401_003922-1.jpeg>)

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/03/IMG_20230401_003920.jpeg>)

It's the perfect vehicle for wilderness tours and conservation, as the R1T's electric drivetrain doesn't drown out the sounds of nature, or startle animals the way combustion engines can. Should a bull [elephant](<https://www.twz.com/17835/this-ancient-suit-of-elephant-armor-holds-the-record-for-the-largest-of-its-kind>) or hippo charge the truck, its dual- or quad-motor four-wheel drive can skedaddle it to safety—and over any terrain, with excellent ground clearance, suspension articulation, and traction.

They're not just for sightseeing, either; they're also vital maintenance vehicles. The Trust says it uses its Rivians for anti-poaching operations, transporting firefighters and rangers, and local health and education programs. It charges the trucks using a [solar power](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/do-solar-powered-evs-make-any-sense-i-drove-a-prototype-to-see-how-it-could-work>) array, which with Kenya literally on the equator works well at all times of year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPy9QbHq5H0

The Rivian in these photos might be based on one of the four originally delivered to the Trust in October 2022, as part of a conservation pilot project with Rivian. A series of [R1S](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/2022-rivian-r1s-review-feels-like-a-throwback-adventure-suv-only-electric>) SUVs are supposed to follow—it's not clear if they'll be modified in the same fashion, but it's hard to imagine them being any less of off-road all-stars than the R1Ts are.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here: james@thedrive.com*

## Author
James is a former staff writer for The Drive. He has changed the conversation around electrification, debunked misinformation online, and become a prominent hunter of what he calls "automotive cryptids."

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/jamesgilboy>)