The 2026 edition of the legendary WRC Safari Rally will mark a significant shift in format after Nairobi was officially dropped as the ceremonial start host.
Instead, the rally will take place entirely in the unforgiving landscapes surrounding Lake Naivasha from March 12–15, 2026.
As the third round of the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) season, the Safari Rally remains the ultimate endurance test on the global rally calendar, famed for punishing terrain, unpredictable wildlife, and ever-changing weather conditions.
20 Special Stages Packed into Four Days
The 2026 Safari Rally will feature a refined and compact schedule, with 20 special stages crammed into four intense days of competition.
Unlike previous editions that incorporated Nairobi’s ceremonial fanfare and city start, the 2026 rally shifts focus entirely to performance, survival, and mechanical durability.
This move underscores the event’s identity as the WRC’s toughest challenge.
While Nairobi’s removal may disappoint fans who enjoyed the capital’s ceremonial atmosphere, the move centralizes the event’s logistics and intensifies the sporting challenge in Naivasha.
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