WRC Safari Rally 2024: Everything You Need To Know

Are you ready for high-adrenaline action? Brace yourselves for the ultimate showcase of passion, precision, and power. Here is everything you need to know about the WRC Safari Rally 2024. The Safari Rally was first held in 1953 as the East African Coronation Safari in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika as a celebration of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 1960, it was renamed the East African Safari Rally and kept that name until 1974, when it became the Kenya Safari Rally. It then evolved into the current modern-day World Rally Championship (WRC). Safari Rally is currently the most popular event on the WRC calendar, alongside the 1,000 Lakes of Finland and Monte Carlo. 

Safari Rally Kenya Winners

The late Kenyan rally ace Shekhar Mehta and fellow Kenyan Carl Tundo are the event’s most successful drivers, with five victories each. Mehta emerged victorious in the first event of the WRC calendar at the Safari Rally in 1973. He went on to win four more times, from 1979 to 1982. Tundo, on the other hand, has won the rally five times, but all his victories came from editions held outside of the WRC schedule. These events were held in 2004, 2009, 2011, 2012, and 2018.

During its run as a WRC event from 1973–2002, the 1979 world champion Bjorn Waldegard and four-time world title winner Juha Kankkunen scored four wins. The Safari Rally was the scene of Colin McRae’s final WRC win in 2002. It was the 1995 world champion’s third Safari Rally triumph, alongside wins for Subaru in 1997 and Ford in 1999 and 2002.

World champions Miki Biasion, Tommi Makinen, and Richard Burns have all won the rally twice. Toyota has dominated the rally since returning to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2021, and the Safari has resumed its reputation as one of motorsport’s toughest challenges. It’s a challenge that TGR-WRT has risen to with three consecutive victories, extending Toyota’s record tally of wins at the event to 11. That includes a historic pair of 1-2-3-4 results in the past two years (2022 and 2023).

Sebastien Ogier won the WRC Safari Rally in 2021 and 2023, while Kalle Rovanpera won in 2022.

WRC Safari Rally 2024

For 2024, the Safari returns to a more traditional date earlier in the year, having been held in June since its WRC comeback. This move could coincide with greater rainfall, potentially turning usually dry and dusty tracks into deep mud conditions that have previously been responsible for some of the most iconic images in WRC history.

The 2024 WRC Safari Rally will be held from Thursday, March 28th, to Sunday, March 31st, 2024, in Nairobi County and Naivasha (Nakuru County). The rally will kick off with a flag-off at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park on Thursday, March 28th, 2024; crews will head to the Kasarani Grounds for the Super Special Stage.

The Safari Rally is usually characterised by closed dirt roads, picturesque scenery, exotic wildlife, rocky and rutted tracks, and unpredictable weather that frequently turns dusty roads into slippery and tricky mud baths. Kenya’s Safari Rally has always been a challenge for drivers of all categories because it is unpredictable, longer, and filled with pitfalls, adding to the adventure for spectators.

Safari Rally Kenya 2023 Results

1. S. Ogier (FRA)/V. Landais (FRA) Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 3h30m42.5s
2. K. Rovanperä (FIN)/J. Halttunen (FRA) Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +6.7s
3. E. Evans (GBR)/S. Martin (GBR) Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 +2m58.5s

Safari Rally Kenya Recent Winners

2023: Sébastien Ogier/Vincent Landais Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
2022: Kalle Rovanperä /Jonne Halttunen Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
2021: Sébastien Ogier/Julien Ingrassia Toyota Yaris WRC
2019* Baldev Chager/Ravi Soni Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4
2018* Carl Tundo/Tim Jessop Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X R4

Rally1 Contenders

This year, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally team brings another strong line-up featuring three drivers who each have multiple Safari podiums to their name. Double world champion Kalle Rovanperä won the event in 2022 and finished a close second last year, while Elfyn Evans has the chance to add his name to the winners’ list after finishing second and third in the last two editions. Kenya has been a happy hunting ground for Takamoto Katsuta, too, as in the rally where he achieved his first two WRC podium finishes in 2021 and 2022.

Hyundai Shell Mobis World Rally Team: Provisional championship leader Thierry Neuville heads Hyundai’s bid for the first Safari Rally Kenya victory. He’s joined by Ott Tänak, the 2019 world champion, and Esapekka Lappi, the winner of Rally Sweden last month.

M-Sport Ford World Rally Team: Having scored his maiden WRC podium in Sweden, Adrien Fourmaux returns to the scene of his first FIA WRC stage win, which he achieved in 2021. Grégoire Munster and Jourdan Serderidis complete the line-up, which expands to three cars.

Supporting Categories

The FIA WRC2 Championship provides an opportunity for FIA African Rally Championship competitors to build their experience and showcase their skills on a global stage while shining a spotlight on the FIA ARC. Two notable drivers flying the FIA ARC flag are Karan Patel (Škoda Fabia), the 2023 FIA ARC champion, and multiple Kenyan title winner and 2021 FIA ARC champion Carl Tundo (Ford Fiesta).

Toksport WRT’s Oliver Solberg, at the wheel of a Škoda Fabia RS, is joint first in the provisional FIA WRC2 standings after his Rally Sweden victory and is the top category seed ahead of Nicolas Ciamin, who makes his Safari Rally Kenya debut in a Hyundai i20N.

Three-time FIA European Rally Championship winner Kajetan Kajetanowicz begins the defence of his FIA WRC2 Challenger crown on the Safari Rally Kenya in a Škoda Fabia RS.

Gus Greensmith, the 2023 FIA WRC runner-up, makes his first world championship appearance of the season in Kenya in a Toksport WRT-entered Škoda Fabia RS, as does Daniel Chwist (Škoda Fabia RS), whose grandfather, Sobiesław Zasada, won the FIA ERC title three times and made his last Safari Rally Kenya appearance in 2021, aged 91.

Diego Domínguez, second in the 2023 FIA Junior Championship, steps up to the FIA WRC2 level for the first time in a Citroën C3, while Charles Munster (Hyundai i20 N) is Rally1 driver Grégoire Munster’s younger brother.

In the WRC3 category, Kenya’s Jeremiah Wahome and McRae Kimathi will be out of the rally, leaving only Hamza Anwar to keep the victory at home. Safaricom and Kenya Airways sponsor the FIA Rally Star Driver. Hamza Anwar will be driving the Rally 3 Ford Fiesta. 

The 2024 WRC Safari Rally is sponsored by KCB, Kenya Airways, Safaricom, and CFAO Motors (formerly Toyota Kenya).

WRC Rally Kenya

The FIA World Rally Championship stars and their cars will be challenged on 19 stages over a timed distance of 367.76 kilometres, a route that’s largely unchanged from 2023. (Modifications to the route will make this the longest Safari Rally of the modern WRC era, with 367.76 competitive kilometres.)

Following the event-opening Super Special Kasarani in out-of-town Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Thursday, March 28, the rally relocates to Lake Naivasha, its hub for the remaining three days of competition. Friday’s first full leg consists of three stages run on either side of the Naivasha service halt. Kedong, SS4/SS7, features a new section in the Miti Mbili area and is run in a reverse direction compared to 2023.

Saturday’s action is based around Lake Elmenteita, north of Naivasha. The three repeated stages include Sleeping Warrior, now up to 36.08 kilometres from 31.04, and the longest of the rally after a new closing section of some seven kilometres was added.

Sunday’s deciding leg begins with Malewa, which has been reduced from 9.00 kilometres in length to 8.33 kilometres. The Oserengoni stage, titled Oserian last season, gets its name from the wildlife conservancy estate where it’s located. The 10.53-kilometre Hell’s Gate tests host the Wolf Power Stage from 14:15 hours.

Safari Rally Kenya Data

• Stage distance: 367.76 km
• Total distance: 1267.57 km
• Number of stages: 19

Safari Rally Kenya 2024 Stages

Shakedown will be 5.40 km and will be run four (4) times, Super Special Kasarani will be 4.84 km and will be run twice (2 times). Loldia will be 19.17 km and will run twice. One of the fastest stages is geothermal, which is 13.12 km and will also be run twice. (a stage first introduced in 2022 that climbs over craggy rock-lined hills).

The second longest stage of the event, Kedong, better known for its Fesh Fesh, is 31.50 km and will run twice. Soysambu is 29.32 km and will run twice, and Elementaita is 15.08 km and will also run twice. Sleeping Warrior, the longest and probably the most exciting stage, especially in the wet (If it rains), is 36.08 km. This is the longest stage of the 2024 WRC Safari Rally.

Malewa 8.33 km, which is back after being replaced by Narasha last year, is 8.33 km and will be run twice. Oserian will be 18.33 km and will run twice, while Hells Gate is 10.53 km. The second pass through Hell’s Gate, which finishes amid stunning scenery at Fischer’s Tower, forms the Wolf Power Stage, with bonus points on offer for drivers and manufacturers. The survivors will then return to Naivasha for the afternoon finish ceremony.

Safari Rally 2024 Route

Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

• Shakedown – Loldia – 10:01 hours (5.40km)

Thursday, March 28th, 2024

• Official Flag Off – Uhuru Park – 12:26 hours by President William Ruto
• Super Special Stage (SS1) – Kasarani – 14:05 hours (4.84km)

Friday, March 29th, 2024

• SS 2 Loldia 1 – 08:15 hours (19.17 km)
• SS 3 Geothermal 1 – 09:33 hours (13.12 km)
• SS 4 Kedong 1 – 10:26 hours (31.50 km)
• SS 5 Loldia 2 – 13:48 hours (19.17 km)
• SS 6 Geothermal 2 – 15:06 hours (13.12 km)
• SS 7 Kedong 2 – 15:59 hours (31.50 km)

Saturday, March 30th, 2024

• SS 8 Soysambu 1- 08:01 hours (29.32 km)
• SS 9 Elementaita 1 – 09:05 hours (15.08 km)
• SS 10 Sleeping Warrior 1 – 10:03 hours (36.08 km)
• SS 11 Soysambu 2 – 14:34 hours (29.32 km)
• SS 12 Elementaita 2 – 15:35 hours (15.08 km)
• SS 13 Sleeping Warrior 2 – 16:33 hours (31.50 km)

Sunday, March 31st, 2024

• SS 14 Malewa 1- 07:02 hours (8.33 km)
• SS 15 Oserian 1- 07:57 hours (18.33 km)
• SS 16 Hell’s Gate 1- 09:05 hours (10.53 km)
• SS 17 Malewa 2 – 11:20 hours (8.33 km)
• SS 18 Oserian 2 – 12:10 hours (18.33 km)
• SS 19 Hell’s Gate 2 [Power Stage] – 14:15 hours (10.53 km)

Each stage, save for the ceremonial start at Kasarani, will be done twice daily.

Safari Rally 2024 Spectator Stages

• Thursday, March 28th  – Nairobi (Kasarani)
• Friday, March 29th – Naivasha (Kedong & Longonot)
• Saturday, March 30th – Elementaita
• Sunday, March 31st – Naivasha (Hell’s Gate National Park)

WRC Kenya 2024 Tickets

WRC Safari Rally 2024 is completely free; there is no ticket that you need to access the venue, so beware of scammers.

How to Watch the Safari Rally

• For fans in Kenya, the national broadcaster KBC will televise selected rounds, offering a front-row seat to the local audience.
• UK viewers can catch every round live on TNT Sports (formerly BT Sport), with subscriptions available for new customers at £18 per month. 
• This package not only provides access to TNT’s sports channels but also includes Discovery+, enhancing your viewing experience across various devices.
• Rally.TV presents an alternative for those preferring online streaming, boasting rights to broadcast the event, ensuring fans worldwide don’t miss out on the action.
• Moreover, Discovery+ emerges as a versatile platform for watching the rally, catering to a broad audience with its extensive coverage.
• Did you miss a stage? No problem. Highlights for the Safari Rally will be accessible via KBC, Red Bull TV, TNT Sports, and ITV4, with each offering comprehensive packages to recap the day’s events.
• Autosport and the WRC’s official YouTube channel will also provide daily highlights, ensuring fans stay up-to-date with the rally’s progress.

WRC Safari Rally 2024 Live Stream

For this year’s event, the Shakedown, Kasarani, Elementaita, and Hells Gate Power Stage will be live on WRC TV.

WRC Safari Rally 2024 Accommodation

Those who would like to stay there for the whole period that the rally is meant to happen should have booked their accommodation by now. Naivasha is a beautiful space, and you have many places to choose from, but ensure your location is at least accessible to where the rally is happening or the routes the rally drivers will be using. This is because almost the whole country will be there, and traffic is usually wild, so ensure you don’t get to the venue when the rally is almost over if you intend to watch it. Accommodation options;

1. List Of Best Camping Sites In Naivasha

2. List Of Best Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Nakuru

3. List Of Best Camping Sites In Naivasha

Carry plenty of water, hydrate, and don’t forget to pack as little clothing as possible because the weather can get quite hot at times. If your goal is simply to get out of town, make sure you have a travel itinerary and activities planned for while you’re there. You can take a boat ride on Lake Naivasha, visit Hell’s Gate, hike to the Menengai crater, or simply relax at one of the resorts along the Naivasha-Nakuru-Nairobi route.

Avoid drinking and driving; your safety comes first. Always make sure that everyone in your car is sober before getting behind the wheel.

Here’s an FAQ about the Safari Rally in 2024

1. Why is the Safari Rally the hardest?

Drivers often look forward to competing on the expansive roads in Naivasha due to their unpredictable nature. The dusty roads could easily turn muddy and impassable in the event of rainfall, which is always a possibility. Fesh fesh is a term you will probably hear a lot from motorsports enthusiasts. It refers to the fine dust on the roads that looks like solid ground. On rocky terrain, it is extremely slippery, and it usually sticks to the engines of the cars, thereby causing major performance issues. It also lingers in the air, which causes major visibility issues for drivers. Teams often struggle to deal with it. In 2022 and 2023, Toyota did the unthinkable by sweeping all the podium places.