The Safari Rally is Kenya’s round of the World Rally Championship, a gravel marathon through the Rift Valley with wildlife, dust and rough roads. This guide covers its history, the 2026 event, and how to follow it.
2026 at a glance
12-15 Mar
2026 event dates
20
Special stages
350.52 km
Competitive distance
3:16:05.6
Winning time, Katsuta/Johnston
A short history
The rally began in 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari. It joined the World Rally Championship in the 1970s and dropped off the calendar after 2002. It returned to the WRC in 2021. The 2026 edition was the 74th running.
The 2026 event
The 2026 Safari Rally was round 3 of the WRC season, held March 12 to 15 with its base and service park in Naivasha, about 100 km from Nairobi. Organisers dropped the Nairobi super special stage at Kasarani, which had been the ceremonial start since the rally’s 2021 return, so the event no longer visits the capital at all. The week was also shortened by one day, with a Thursday start and a Sunday power stage.
The route covered 20 special stages over 350.52 km of gravel. Friday was the longest day, with eight stages including the Loldia, Kengen Geothermal, Kedong and Camp Moran tests. Saturday ran through Soysambu, Elmenteita and Sleeping Warrior. Sunday finished in Hell’s Gate National Park, home of the Hell’s Gate Power Stage.
Who won
Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston won in a Toyota GR Yaris Rally1, taking the first WRC victory of their careers and defending Toyota’s title as manufacturer. Oliver Solberg and Elliott Edmondson won the Hell’s Gate Power Stage. In the support classes, Robert Virves and Jakko Viilo won WRC2, and Georgios Vasilakis and Allan Harryman won WRC3. Of 46 registered crews, 40 started and 29 finished, a reminder of how punishing the roads are.
How to watch and attend
- The 2026 shakedown was opened to fans, a good way to see the cars up close.
- Naivasha is the hub for spectating, and several stages run near Lake Naivasha and Hell’s Gate.
- The WRC publishes the official itinerary, entry list and live timing on wrc.com.
Dates and route for the 2027 edition have not been confirmed by us. Check wrc.com before planning travel.
Sources
- Wikipedia: 2026 Safari Rally
- Citizen Digital: Nairobi dropped as Safari Rally Kenya confirms 2026 WRC route change
- WRC: Safari Rally Kenya
Last updated October 20, 2026.
