WRC, Sportrik Media - Safari Rally Kenya 2026 returns as one of the most demanding rounds of the FIA World Rally Championship season, taking place across the Great Rift Valley around Naivasha from 12–15 March. The rally is widely expected to see Elfyn Evans emerge as a leading contender following his commanding victory last year with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Safari Rally is regarded as one of the most punishing events on the FIA World Rally Championship calendar. Rough gravel roads, deep sand sections known as “fesh-fesh,” and rapidly changing weather conditions often turn the event into a reliability battle where mechanical durability and strategy outweigh outright speed.
Toyota has dominated the Kenyan rally since its return to the WRC calendar in 2021. Victories from drivers such as Sébastien Ogier and Kalle Rovanperä have cemented the Japanese manufacturer’s reputation as the benchmark team in Safari conditions. The durability and balance of the GR Yaris Rally1 have proven particularly effective across Kenya’s demanding terrain.
Evans arrives in Kenya as the defending winner after controlling the 2025 rally from start to finish, including victory on the decisive Hell’s Gate Power Stage. That performance strengthened his reputation as one of the most consistent drivers when facing the unique challenges of the African classic.
However, the challenge from Hyundai Motorsport remains significant, with both Thierry Neuville and Ott Tänak expected to lead the team’s charge. The pair have frequently featured on the podium in Kenya and could threaten Toyota’s dominance, particularly if the rally evolves into a high-attrition contest.
The 2026 Safari Rally Kenya will begin with a shakedown in Nawisa before moving into classic stages such as Loldia, Kedong, Sleeping Warrior and the Hell’s Gate Power Stage finale. With unpredictable terrain and extreme endurance demands, the African round could once again play a decisive role in shaping the early momentum of the 2026 WRC title fight.
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