By Timothy Albrite
The Safari Rally returns in 2026 with a route that blends classic Rift Valley terrain and modern rally challenges, promising dust, fesh-fesh, volcanic rock and fast open plains.
The Rally will be run over four days (March 12th-15th) across Naivasha, Gilgil and Elementaita, with 20 competitive stages laid out in classic Safari style: long distances, repeated loops and demanding terrain.
Thursday 12th March
- 08:01: Shakedown at Nawisa (5.00 km)
- 16:03: SS1 Camp Moran 1 (24.50 km)
- 17:21: SS2 Mzabibu 1 ( 8.27 km)
Friday 13th March
- 08:03: SS3 Camp Moran 2 (24.50 km)
- 09:06: SS4 Loldia 1 ( 25.60 km)
- 10:24: SS5 Kengen Geothermal 1 (13.12 km)
- 11:17: SS6 Kedong 1 (13.17 km)
- 14:00: SS7 Kedong 2 (13.17 km)
- 14:58: SS8 Kengen Geothermal 2 (13.12 km)
- 15:56: SS9 Loldia 2 ( 25.60 km)
- 16:59: SS10 Mzabibu 2 ( 8.27 km)
Saturday 14th March
- 08:35: SS11 Soysambu 1 (25.20 km)
- 09:35: SS12 Elmenteita 1 (17.80 km)
- 10:33: SS13 Sleeping Warrior 1 (18.49 km)
- 15:05: SS14 Soysambu 2 (25.20 km)
- 16:05: SS15 Elmenteita 2 (17.80 km)
- 17:03: SS16 Sleeping Warrior 2 (18.49 km)
Sunday 15th March
- 08:09:SS17: Oserengoni 1 (18.33 km)
- 09:35: SS18: Hell’s Gate 1 (10.53 km)
- 10:38: SS19: Oserengoni 2 (18.33 km)
- 13:15: SS20: Hell’s Gate 2 – Wolf Power Stage (10.53 km)
Where the Stages Are
For fans unfamiliar with the locations, the 2026 route is built around major roads and well-known corridors in the central Rift Valley.
Nawisa: (near the Naivasha GK Prisons) The new Shakedown location in Nawisa is designed for high spectator volume and is much easier to reach via public transport.
Mzabibu: This stage runs close to the Nairobi–Nakuru highway, a few kilometres from Delamere Farm. It is accessed from the highway and lies within farmland and vineyard country. This is also where the rally village will be.
Camp Moran: Located near Gilgil, this stage is reached via the old Nairobi–Nakuru road and feeder roads off the highway. It runs across open plains and ranch land north of Naivasha.
Loldia: Set on the western side of Lake Naivasha, Loldia is accessed using Moi South Lake Road or Moi North Lake Road. The stage uses fast gravel roads between flower farms and open ranches.
Kengen Geothermal (Olkaria): This stage is inside the Olkaria geothermal area, south of Naivasha town. Access is via Moi South Lake Road and the Olkaria power station roads, close to Hell’s Gate National Park.
Kedong: Kedong lies between Naivasha and Mai Mahiu, along the old Mai Mahiu–Naivasha route. The stage runs across volcanic plains and escarpment foothills, south of the main highway.
Soysambu: Situated near Lake Elementaita, this stage is reached from the Nairobi–Nakuru highway using turn-offs toward Soysambu Conservancy. It runs inside private conservancy land north of Gilgil.
Elmenteita: This stage follows roads close to Lake Elementaita, accessible directly from the Nairobi–Nakuru highway and sections of Moi North Lake Road.
Sleeping Warrior: Named after the Sleeping Warrior hill overlooking Lake Elementaita, this stage runs east of the lake and is accessed from the Nairobi–Nakuru highway via feeder roads near Elementaita town.
Oserengoni: Located south of Naivasha, Oserengoni is accessed from Moi South Lake Road and the Suswa corridor. The stage runs inside wildlife sanctuary land with narrow and technical tracks.
Hell’s Gate: The final stages are run inside Hell’s Gate National Park, south of Naivasha town. Access is through the main park gate off Moi South Lake Road, with spectators viewing from designated cliffs and gorges.