Most recent winner · Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
First held
1953
Surface
Muddy gravel wilderness roads
Most recent winner
Takamoto Katsuta Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
Safari traditionMuddy gravelReliability test
About the rally
Safari Rally Kenya was founded in 1953. In 2026 it was based in Naivasha, Nakuru County, traversing mud, gravel and rocky roads. Of 20 originally planned stages, 19 were timed after SS3 was cancelled.
The event card’s 333.82 kilometres is the planned route distance for 2026. Rain, ruts and hidden rocks increase tyre and mechanical wear; reliability and pace management directly affect the ability to finish.
In 2026, Takamoto Katsuta took his maiden win, becoming the first Japanese WRC round winner in 34 years since Kenjiro Shinozuka’s 1992 victory. Fourmaux and Pajari finished second and third.
Rally history
Founded in 1953: The event began as the East African Coronation Safari Rally. Its early long-distance road competition differed from today’s timed-stage format.
Long-distance tradition: Early routes crossed vast areas of East Africa, with prolonged driving testing reliability and repair capabilities.
Departure and return: Organisational and cost issues led to its departure from the WRC after 2002. It returned in 2021 after nearly two decades, preserving its wilderness character while adapting to a modern schedule.
Katsuta’s first win in 2026: Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston won a WRC round for the first time, continuing Toyota’s victories in Kenya since the event’s return in 2021.
Rally characteristics
Wilderness terrain: Volcanic gravel, hidden gullies and blind spots obscured by tall grass make every stage unpredictable.
A test of reliability: Mud, rocks and tyre wear increase the risk of stopping; pace and mechanical condition matter as much as speed in reaching the finish.
Changing weather: Rain before and during the 2026 event caused deep mud and ruts. Changes between wet and dry conditions tested tyres, visibility and mechanical condition together.
Great Rift Valley routes: Gravel and wilderness roads around Naivasha form the environment of the modern Safari, with route arrangements adjusted for each edition.
2026 WRC Safari Rally Kenya · Data review
2026-3-15, Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston won Safari Rally Kenya in Naivasha with a time of 3h 16m 05.6s, finishing 27.4 seconds ahead of Fourmaux. This was Katsuta’s first WRC win and the first WRC round victory by a Japanese driver in 34 years, since Kenjiro Shinozuka won in 1992.
Overall results · Top three
Position
Driver
Car
Total time / gap to winner
1
Takamoto Katsuta
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
3:16:05.6
2
Adrien Fourmaux
Hyundai i20 N Rally1
+27.4 s
3
Sami Pajari
Toyota GR Yaris Rally1
+4:26.1
Event highlights
Three Toyotas stop on Saturday: Evans retired for the day with suspension damage, while Solberg and Ogier stopped after muddy stages contaminated their alternators. Toyota’s previous occupation of the top five ended, and Takamoto Katsuta became the new leader.
Katsuta recovers from seventh to the lead: A double puncture on Friday dropped him to seventh, almost two minutes behind. He avoided further major losses on Saturday and led by the time he reached midday service. Entering Sunday 1m 25.5s ahead, he controlled his pace and finished 27.4 seconds clear. Pajari had earlier lost about five minutes through tyre damage but still recovered to third.
SS3 cancelled: The second pass of Camp Moran, among the 20 planned stages, was cancelled because severe ruts prevented rescue vehicles from entering, leaving 19 timed stages. The itinerary’s 333.82 kilometres was the planned distance. Virves finished fifth overall in a Rally2 car, illustrating the value of consistent survival here.
Event facts at a glance
Item
Data
Location
Naivasha (Nakuru County), Kenya
2026 timed stages
19 (originally 20 planned)
2026 planned stage distance
333.82 km
Surface type
Muddy gravel wilderness roads
First held
1953
Most recent winner
Takamoto Katsuta (Toyota, 2026)
2026 event record
First Japanese driver to win a round in 34 years (2026)
Also known as
“The toughest round”
Founded in 1953, the Safari returned to the WRC in 2021. Mud and rocks in 2026 changed the overall order and made reliability a major factor in whether cars could continue. The rally win and bonus results pursued after restarting must still be recorded separately.
Information updated: 2026-10-3
Rally data
Stages19 (originally planned: 20) 个
Total stage distance333.82 km (planned)
SurfaceMuddy gravel wilderness roads
Most recent winnerTakamoto KatsutaToyota GR Yaris Rally1 (2026)
