The Safari Rally will not pass through Nairobi in 2026

The organizers of the Safari Rally in Kenya recently released the route for their 2026 edition, which will host the third round of the World Rally Championship. This program highlighted two changes: the elimination of Wednesday's stages and the super special stage, which had been run as a duel since 2021, thus confirming that the rally will not pass through the country's capital. The Shakedown for the event, which previously took place on Wednesdays, will now be held on Thursday mornings at a new 5-kilometer location in Nawisa. Otherwise, there are no major changes: the rally route will be classic and will follow the conventional timed sections since the event's return to the calendar. WRC in 2021.

Meager trays

Although the destination is legendary, the "new generation" Safari Rally has sometimes been the subject of much debate. At a time when the WRC is seeking a new dynamic at a lower cost, the question of the rally's continued presence on the calendar can be raised, even if, politically, the date is important for local authorities. Thirty entries in 2025, 28 in 2024, 31 in 2023: a far cry from the number of entries the rally boasted in its heyday. By condensing the schedule, the organizers may have aimed to attract as many crews and teams as possible.

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Who will overtake Toyota?

Since the event's return to the WRC calendar in 2021, victory has never escaped a Toyota. Elfyn Evans last year, Kalle Rovanperä in 2022 and 2024, Sébastien Ogier In 2021 and 2023: the peak of this dominance was reached in the same year with all 4 Toyotas occupying the top 4 positions, Ogier ahead of Rovanperä, Evans and Katsuta in that order. Hyundai or the Fords ofM-Sport Will they be able to change this rule in 2025? The answer will come from March 12th to 15th.

Safari Rally 2026
The complete itinerary

THURSDAY MARCH 12

• Shakedown: Nawisa | 08:01 AM (06:01 AM French time) | 5 kilometers
• SS01: Camp Moran 1 | 16:03 PM (14:03 PM French time) | 24,5 kilometers
• SS02: Mzabibu 1 | 17:21 PM (15:21 PM French time) | 8,27 kilometers
• Assistance A: 18:11 PM (16:11 PM French time) | 45 minutes

FRIDAY MARCH 13

• SS03: Camp Moran 2 | 08:03 AM (06:03 AM French time) | 24,5 kilometers
• SS04: Loldia 1 | 09:06 PM (07:06 PM French time) | 25,6 kilometers
• SS05: Kengen Geothermal 1 | 10:24 (08:24 French time) | 13,1 kilometers
• SS06: Kedong 1 | 11:17 (09:17 AM French time) | 13,1 kilometers
• Assistance B: 12:57 (10:57 French time) | 30 minutes
• SS07: Kedong 1 | 14:00 PM (12:00 PM French time) | 13,1 kilometers
• SS08: Kengen Geothermal 2 | 14:58 PM (12:58 PM French time) | 13,1 kilometers
• SS09: Loldia 2 | 15:56 PM (13:56 PM French time) | 25,6 kilometers
• SS10: Mzabibu 2 | 16:59 PM (14:59 PM French time) | 8,2 kilometers
• Flexi-Assistance C: 17:49 PM (15:49 PM French time) | 45 minutes

Saturday March 14

• SS11: Soysambu 1 | 08:35 PM (06:35 ​​PM French time) | 25,2 kilometers
• SS12: Elmenteita 1 | 09:35 p.m. (07:35 p.m. French time) | 17,8 kilometers
• SS13: Sleeping Warrior 1 | 10:33 PM (08:33 PM French time) | 18,4 kilometers
• Assistance D: 13:15 PM (11:15 AM French time) | 30 minutes
• SS14: Soysambu 2 | 15:05 PM (13:05 ​​PM French time) | 25,2 kilometers
• SS15: Elmenteita 2 | 16:05 p.m. (14:05 p.m. French time) | 17,8 kilometers
• SS16: Sleeping Warrior 2 | 17:03 PM (15:03 PM French time) | 18,4 kilometers
• Flexi-Assistance E: 19:28 PM (17:28 PM French time) | 45 minutes

Sunday March 15

• SS17: Oserengoni 1 | 08:09 (06:09 French time) | 18,3 kilometers
• SS18: Hell's Gate 1 | 09:35 AM (07:35 AM French time) | 10,5 kilometers
• SS19: Oserengoni 2 | 10:38 (08:38 French time) | 18,3 kilometers
• SS20: Hell's Gate 2 (Power Stage) | 13:15 PM (11:15 AM French time) | 10,5 kilometers