Naivasha is calling, and rally fans are already packing for the ride.

The third round of the 2026 World Rally Championship returns to Kenya, and this time the spotlight shifts fully to Naivasha for four straight days of adrenaline from March 12 to 15.

For years, the rally has balanced an urban ceremonial start in Nairobi with the rugged action in Naivasha. But the 2026 edition switches gears, everything points to the dusty, wild terrains around Lake Naivasha, placing fans right at the heart of the action.

A crowd of fans at the Kendong spectator zone on the stages of the 2024 WRC Safari Rally which happened on the Easter weekend between March 28- 31

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

Na hii si mchezo ya Valentine excuses tena. Rally weekend ni calendar event legit—ukipotea, usikuje na story mingi. If you’re all about the rally vibe and the sherehe that comes with it, you already know WRC is the thing. FOMO is not something you want on your record this season.

Swali muhimu: mbogi imeconfirm? Are the plans locked? And more importantly, mfuko iko sawa? Rally ni experience, but it’s not a zone you enter na light pocket na faith pekee.

Because it’s never just about speed.

It’s the vibe on the ground, the convoy energy on the road, the party zones, the random meet-ups and that constant shift from one spectator stage to another. It’s dust, engines, laughter, nyama choma stops and that feeling of being exactly where the action is.

Fans at the 2024 WRC Safari Rally which happened on the Easter weekend between March 28- 31, 2026

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

And by the way, are you driving?

When they say the grounds are “fesh fesh,” they mean it. Dust will find you. Walking between stages will leave your sneakers looking like umetoka kutarmarc ukitafuta gigs. Unless you’re okay staying in one spectator zone all day, plan movement mapema.

Also just have enough gede (fuel) because the heavy traffic snurl up might do some numbers on you ukicheze. Form ni simple: amka mapema, panga road trip na mabeshte, fuel up and head to the stages.

The Safari Rally Kenya, third leg of the global championship, will feature 20 special stages. That’s four days of roaring engines, cars flying over rough tracks and drivers pushing machines to the absolute limit.

And it’s not just about rally cars.

Tours and travel companies have already flooded timelines and towns with posters, selling rally weekend packages, from one-day trips to full four-day experiences. Transport, camping, accommodation and party access zimefungwa pamoja as fans rush to book before prices shoot up.

Naivasha is expected to fill up fast. Hotels, Airbnbs and campsites are already receiving early reservations from Nakuru and beyond. Cha muhimu ni kupata full Vasha experience, si kwenda half half.

Rally cars during the 2024 WRC Safari Rally which happened on the Easter weekend between March 28- 31

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/ MTAA WANGU

For many, rally weekend is no longer just a sports event. Ni outing, ni road trip, ni escape, ni experience.

Entertainment players are also tapping into the hype, planning festival-style events and fan meet-ups throughout the weekend. The idea is simple,if you’re coming for the rally, unapata bonus ya sherehe as always.

Events like Kikiyu festival season three have already locked March 14 to take advantage of the massive crowd who appreciate the rally event.

For Nakuru and other rally enthusiasts, this is the easiest plan on the calendar. Close enough for a road trip, big enough for a memorable weekend, and loud enough to remind you why Safari Rally still hits differently.

wanjirukinuthia20@gmail.com

Rally Fever: Countdown to Vasha thrill as Kenya readies for 2026 WRC Showdown

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Purity Kinuthia