The 2026 Safari Rally, part of the World Rally Championship (WRC), won’t be flagged off in Nairobi, marking a significant change from previous editions.
Instead, the event will be held entirely in Naivasha, also known as Hell’s Gate, from March 12-15. This decision was driven by new FIA WRC sporting regulations, which require the rally to start on Thursday and end on Sunday with a Power Stage.
According to WRC Safari Rally CEO Charles Gacheru, Nairobi’s exclusion is due to logistical challenges and the inability to fit a 300km competitive rally into the permitted four days. However, Nairobi could host future editions, along with other regions like Nanyuki, Western Kenya, and the coast.
The 2026 Safari Rally will feature 20 special stages covering 350 competitive kilometers, with the shakedown stage open to spectators for the first time. The event will kick off with stages at Camp Moran and Mzabibu, followed by action-packed days in the Rift Valley.
