Updated 12 November 2026
Safari Rally 2027 will run from 18 to 21 March 2027, according to the official FIA World Rally Championship calendar on wrc.com, checked on 12 November 2026. It is the third round of a 15-round 2027 season, after Rallye Monte-Carlo (21 to 24 January) and Rally Sweden (18 to 21 February), and before Croatia (8 to 11 April). The WRC’s own event page describes the rally as centred around Naivasha, where it has been based since it returned to the championship in 2021.
Updated November 2026. Dates and calendar details come from wrc.com (the 2027 calendar and the WRC announcement of 8 October 2026). Results from 2026 come from the organiser’s site, safarirally.ke. The 2027 itinerary, stage list, spectator zones and ticket details had not been published when we checked; this page will say so rather than guess.
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In this guide
Safari Rally 2027 at a glance
| Item | What is confirmed (12 November 2026) | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Event name | WRC Safari Rally Kenya 2027 | wrc.com calendar |
| Dates | 18 to 21 March 2027 (Thursday to Sunday) | wrc.com calendar and event page |
| Round | Round 3 of 15 | WRC 2027 calendar announcement, 8 October 2026 |
| Base | Described by WRC as centred around Naivasha since 2021 | wrc.com event page |
| Organiser contact | WRC Safari Rally secretariat, Talanta Plaza, Kenya Road, Upper Hill, Nairobi; info@safarirally.ke | safarirally.ke |
| Stages, spectator zones, tickets | Not yet published for 2027 | safarirally.ke (2026 guide still shown) |
Where the 2027 calendar puts Kenya
The FIA World Motor Sport Council approved the 2027 calendar, and WRC announced it on 8 October 2026. The championship starts with Rallye Monte-Carlo and moves to Sweden and then the Safari Rally 2027 in Kenya, the only African round on the list. After Kenya come Croatia, the Canary Islands and Japan on asphalt, then Greece, Italy (Rally d’Italia, new for 2027), Estonia and Finland, the United States (Rally US, 26 to 29 August), Scotland (30 September to 3 October), Paraguay and Chile, before Rally Saudi Arabia closes the season from 25 to 28 November.
2027 is also the first year of the WRC27 technical regulations, which WRC says are designed to reduce costs, broaden participation and create openings for manufacturers and independent constructors. For Kenyan crews who enter supplementary classes, cheaper machinery could matter more than the headline Rally1 battle.
An early-season slot means the Safari Rally 2027 lands in March again, as in 2026. The WRC event page warns what that brings: rocky tracks, deep ruts, soft “fesh-fesh” sand, sudden rain and standing water that can turn straightforward sections into major obstacles.
What happened at the 2026 Safari Rally
The 2026 edition was also round 3 of the WRC and finished on Sunday 15 March 2026 at Hell’s Gate National Park, with the Wolf Power Stage. The organiser’s reports give these results:
- Overall: Japan’s Takamoto Katsuta and co-driver Aaron Johnston (Toyota Gazoo Racing WRT, GR Yaris Rally1) took their first WRC win, by 27.4 seconds. Adrien Fourmaux (Hyundai) was second and Sami Pajari (Toyota) third.
- Toyota’s streak: it was Toyota’s sixth straight Safari win since the event returned to the WRC in 2021.
- Turning point: several leaders, including Oliver Solberg, Sébastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans, hit trouble on Saturday’s SS13 Sleeping Warrior stage and the transport section after it.
- Africa Rally Championship: Kenya’s Karan Patel (KCB Rally Team, Skoda Octavia R5) led a Kenyan top-four sweep, ahead of Aakif Virani, Samman Vohra and Jasmeet Chana.
- WRC3: Nikhil Sachania (KCB Rally Team) was second behind Greece’s Georgios Vasilakis. WRC2 was won by Estonia’s Robert Virves.
The organiser said tens of thousands of fans lined stages across the Rift Valley, with spectator zones running from Naivasha to Elementaita, and stages including the Soysambu plains and the roads beneath the Sleeping Warrior.
How to plan for Safari Rally 2027
- Block the dates. Thursday 18 March to Sunday 21 March 2027. In 2026 the rally opened with a ceremonial flag-off on Thursday and ended with the Power Stage at Hell’s Gate on Sunday.
- Book Naivasha accommodation early. Rally weekend fills hotels and camps around the lake. Compare published rates before you pay a deposit; our list of conference venues in Naivasha with published rates is a useful starting point for groups and corporate hosts.
- Wait for the official spectator guide. safarirally.ke publishes a Spectator Guide and safety rules for each edition. When we checked, the site still showed the 2026 material. Use only the official zones; stages are closed roads with fast cars.
- Prepare your car. Spectator roads around Soysambu, Elementaita and Hell’s Gate are rough. Check tyres and recovery gear, and keep your inspection and insurance papers current (see NTSA motor vehicle inspection fees).
- Follow official channels. Itineraries, road closures and ticketing come from safarirally.ke and wrc.com. Be wary of ticket offers on social media before the organiser announces how 2027 tickets work.
Why Safari Rally 2027 matters for Kenyan business
For hotels, caterers, transport firms, fuel stations and event suppliers in Nakuru County, the Safari Rally 2027 is one of the year’s biggest weekends. The organiser’s site runs a vendor call-to-action for businesses that want to trade at the event; check it for 2027 details rather than paying any third party for “vendor slots”. Sponsors and corporate hospitality buyers should also watch for the 2027 partner announcements.
The rally sits in a busy events calendar. See our Kenya business events calendar for conferences and expos, and the Magical Kenya Open 2027 guide for the other big international sports weekend. If you are thinking about importing a rally or off-road vehicle, run the numbers first with our car import duty calculator.
Frequently asked questions
When is Safari Rally 2027?
Safari Rally 2027 is scheduled for 18 to 21 March 2027, according to the official WRC calendar checked on 12 November 2026.
Where will the Safari Rally 2027 be held?
The WRC event page describes the Safari Rally as centred around Naivasha in the Great Rift Valley, its base since 2021. The 2027 stage list had not been published when we checked.
Which round of the WRC is the Safari Rally in 2027?
It is round 3 of 15, after Monte-Carlo and Sweden and before Croatia.
Who won the Safari Rally in 2026?
Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston of Toyota Gazoo Racing won the 2026 Safari Rally on 15 March 2026, their first WRC victory, by 27.4 seconds from Adrien Fourmaux.
How do I get Safari Rally 2027 tickets?
The organiser had not published 2027 ticket or spectator-zone details by 12 November 2026. Watch safarirally.ke for the official spectator guide and ticketing information.
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