The World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally Kenya 2026 is set to deliver another epic battle across the dramatic Rift Valley terrain. As Round 3 of the expanded 14-event 2026 WRC calendar, this will be the 73rd edition of Africa’s most famous rally—widely regarded as the world’s toughest rally due to its unforgiving gravel roads, fesh-fesh dust, river crossings, wildlife hazards, and unpredictable weather.
Key Dates for Safari Rally 2026
- Event Dates: Thursday 12 March – Sunday 15 March 2026
- Location/Base: Exclusively in Naivasha, Nakuru County (91 km / 56.5 miles northwest of Nairobi)
- Service Park: Wildlife Research Training Institute (WRTI), Naivasha (unchanged from recent years)
- Competitive Distance: ~350 km across 20 special stages
- Total Distance: ~843 km liaison (road) sections
- Shakedown: New Nawisa Shakedown Stage (close to Service Park) – Thursday 12 March, open to spectators from 08:00 EAT (+3 GMT)
- Ceremonial Start: Now at Naivasha Service Park – Thursday 12 March at 15:00 EAT (no Nairobi or Kasarani Super Special this year)
- Power Stage: Hell’s Gate 2 (Wolf Power Stage) – Sunday 15 March at 13:15 EAT (bonus points for top 5 + Super Sunday points)
- Podium Finish: Sunday 15 March at 14:15 EAT at the Wolf Power Stage area
Note: The rally is condensed to a strict four-day format per new FIA 2026 regulations, removing the traditional Kasarani head-to-head spectator stage and focusing all action around Naivasha and its environs.
Detailed Daily Itinerary & Stages (March 12–15, 2026)
All times are EAT (+3 GMT). Spectator zones are designated on most stages.
Thursday 12 March – Day 1 (Opening Day)
- Shakedown: Nawisa (morning, spectator access from 08:00)
- Ceremonial Start: Naivasha Service Park – 15:00
- SS1: Camp Moran 1 – 16:00 (24.50 km, shortened; fesh-fesh section removed)
- SS2: Mzabibu 1 – 17:21 (8.27 km, shortest stage; at Morendat Farm / Vineyards)
Spectator Highlights: Camp Moran (under Sleeping Warrior Hill) and Mzabibu Rally Village (fan zone, driver interactions).
Friday 13 March – Day 2
- SS3: Camp Moran 2 – 08:00
- SS4: Loldia 1 – (25.60 km, longest stage; extended with Eburu Forest)
- SS5: Kengen Geothermal 1 – 10:21 (13.12 km)
- SS6: Kedong 1 – 11:14 (13.17 km)
- Midday Service (Naivasha)
- SS7: Kedong 2 – 14:00
- SS8: Kengen Geothermal 2 – 14:58
- SS9: Loldia 2 – 15:56
- SS10: Mzabibu 2 – 16:59
Spectator Highlights: Kedong and Mzabibu stages offer good viewing.
Saturday 14 March – Day 3 (Lake Elementaita Region)
- SS11: Soysambu 1 – 08:35 (25.2 km; reverse direction from 2025)
- SS12: Elementaita 1 – 09:35 (17.8 km; reverse from 2025)
- SS13: Sleeping Warrior 1 – 10:33 (18.49 km)
- Midday Service (Naivasha)
- SS14: Soysambu 2 – 15:05
- SS15: Elementaita 2 – 16:05
- SS16: Sleeping Warrior 2 – 17:03
Spectator Highlights: Designated zones on all stages; autograph session at Mzabibu Rally Village after day’s end.
Sunday 15 March – Final Day (No Midday Service)
- SS17: Oserengoni 1 – 08:09 (18.33 km)
- SS18: Hell’s Gate 1 – 09:35 (10.53 km)
- Regroup
- SS19: Oserengoni 2 – 10:38
- SS20: Hell’s Gate 2 (Wolf Power Stage) – 13:15 (bonus points for top 5 + Super Sunday points)
- Podium Finish Ceremony: 14:15 at Wolf Power Stage area
Why 2026 is Special
- First year with four-day format only (FIA rule change)
- New Nawisa Shakedown open to public
- Ceremonial start and all stages now centered in Naivasha
- No Kasarani Super Special
- Contract ends after 2026; ongoing talks for extension beyond (likely long-term deal expected)
