Engines are already roaring in Naivasha as early activities for the World Rally Championship Safari Rally Kenya 2026 gather momentum ahead of the official competition starting on Thursday March 12,2026.

Monday was the pre-event test for the rally drivers runs conducting the drives to fine-tune their cars and familiarise themselves with the terrain before reconnaissance (recce) begins on Tuesday. The sessions allow teams to make last-minute adjustments and ensure their machines are ready for the demanding Safari conditions.

At the same time, the service park is buzzing with activity as mechanics and engineers from different teams assemble and prepare rally cars ahead of the start of the event.

The Safari Rally service park at the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute, in Naivasha on March 9, where different teams are assembling and servicing their rally cars.

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

Among the drivers testing their cars is Polish rally driver Daniel Chwist alongside his navigator Kamil Heller, who are competing in a Škoda Fabia Rally2.

In an interview with Mtaa Wangu during the test runs at the Loldia stage, Chwist says the test route provided a good preview of what competitors should expect once the rally begins.

He notes that the road conditions are quite similar to the rally stages, making the session important for crews as they prepare for the event. According to him, drivers always look forward to returning to Kenya for the Safari Rally due to the unique terrain and experience the event offers.

Chwist also pointed out that weather conditions remain one of the biggest uncertainties during the Safari Rally, often making it one of the toughest events on the championship calendar. While teams had expected heavy rain during Monday’s tests, the day remained largely sunny and the stage dry.

Drivers will now shift focus to reconnaissance beginning Tuesday, where they will spend two days driving through the rally routes to study corners, rift valley terrain hosting the rally event . Chwist says the recce stage can be demanding because drivers spend long hours in the car covering many kilometres while preparing their pace notes.

He adds that wildlife sightings were also part of the experience during the test runs, noting that drivers slow down whenever animals appear along the rally routes.

Meanwhile, Safari Rally media centre manager Fondo Nzovu says preparations for the recce and rally stages are progressing well.

The Safari Rally Kenya center at the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute, in Naivasha on March 9, as activites pick up at the service park

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA

Speaking at the rally media centre at the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute, Nzovu says organisers are ready and that so far there have been no major challenges.

He also reveales that this year’s rally will feature a new stage known as Nawisa located near Naivasha Prisons, which will also host the shakedown stage. For the first time since 2021, the shakedown will be open to the public, giving fans a chance to watch the action up close.

" Fans can now take advantage of the Nawisa stage which will be hosting the action live and closer to them. Compared to stages that are far this stage will really favour a great number of rally fans," he notes.

However, this year’s edition will not feature the traditional super special stage previously held in Nairobi. Nzovu explains that the rally will instead be flagged off in Naivasha due to logistical challenges of moving the cars between the capital and the rally base.

Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan being inspected at the WRC service park in Naivasha on March 9,2026 at the Kenya center at the Kenya Wildlife Training Institute

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

" Rally fans should expect great action on the third round of the 2026 Safari Rally which will run from Thursday to Sunday after the schedule was reduced from five days to four. The event continues to boost tourism and hospitality in the Naivasha region, with organisers hopeful that more areas could host rally stages in future and benefit as much," he concludes.

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