All Systems Are Go For The 2025 Safari Rally
By Mwambazi Lawrence
Few events in motorsport command attention quite like Safari Rally Kenya. Picture this: WRC machines, looking like armored safari beasts with bull bars and snorkels, charging through fesh-fesh sand that swallows everything in its path, dodging wildebeests that clearly didn’t read the rally schedule, and tackling river crossings so deep you’d think the cars are training for a submarine race. This year’s edition promises all the chaos we love unpredictable weather, stubborn rocks plotting against suspensions, and drivers navigating terrain that seems personally offended by their presence. With the battle for victory expected to be as fierce as Naivasha’s untamed landscape, fans are in for another rollercoaster of dust, drama, and possibly a zebra or two joining the action!
The Safari Rally is arguably the most demanding event on the WRC calendar, This year drivers and co-drivers will be navigating 384 kilometers of brutal terrain, ranging from vast plains to treacherous rocky tracks and thick mud And because that’s not challenging enough, Mother Nature is throwing in a plot twist: Kenya’s rainy season. One moment, it’s a sunbaked safari; the next, it’s a reenactment of Noah’s Ark. Mastering this treacherous topography and correctly guessing whether the next stage requires rain tires or a canoe will be crucial for any crew hoping to survive let alone win!
Toyota Gazoo Racing has been treating the Safari Rally like their personal playground, casually collecting wins since 2021 as if they own the place. Sebastien Ogier and Elfyn Evans have already put Toyota on top this season Ogier dominating Monte Carlo like a man who forgot he was semi-retired, and Evans schooling everyone in Sweden.However, Ogier who approaches rallying like a part-time lecturer, showing up when he feels like it will be sitting this one out. That leaves Evans to carry Toyota’s banner, fend off the competition, and possibly wrestle a few wildebeests along the way. No pressure, Elfyn!
Takamoto Katsuta and Aaron Johnston nearly snatched victory from Evans in Sweden, showing that they’re not just along for the ride they’re serious contenders for their maiden WRC win. With three podiums from four starts at the Safari Rally, Katsuta has more than enough experience to challenge for the top spot. In fact, if experience were a fuel, Katsuta would be running on a full tank, with just enough confidence to make his competitors wonder if they should start buying him a round of drinks for the podium. If anyone’s ready to stir things up and challenge the big dogs, it’s Katsuta. And just to spice things up even more, Sami Pajari will be making his debut with Toyota, likely taking notes on how not to end up in a bush or on a “nature walk” during the rally. He’s probably got a checklist of things to avoid: rocks, rivers, and anything that looks remotely like a tree trying to give him a hug
Hyundai Motorsport’s 2025 season has been like a bad date some moments of brilliance, but mostly a lot of disappointment. Thierry Neuville managed to recover from a slow start with a podium in Sweden, but when it comes to Kenya, his record reads more like a cautionary tale you’d share with your mates. His best finish? Fifth. At this point, even his co-driver might be considering a GPS just to find the podium!
Ott Tänak, on the other hand, has enough Safari Rally horror stories to write a book. In 2021, his windscreen fogged up like a sauna; in 2022, his prop shaft broke; and last year, he lost second place after hitting a rock that apparently had personal beef with him. Still, he’s managed five stage wins this season, proving he’s got the speed just not the luck.
Adrien Fourmaux, Hyundai’s eager third wheel, is still chasing his first WRC victory. He showed flashes of brilliance in Monte Carlo and Sweden before being taken out by a rogue helmet issue (yes, really). He did bag a podium here last year, though, so he might just surprise us all if he can keep his helmet in check.
M-Sport’s Josh McErlean has had a solid rookie Rally1 season, finishing as the top M-Sport driver in Monte Carlo. However, Sweden humbled him with a snowbank incident. Now, he faces the Safari Rally for the first time, and if he can survive the wild terrain without losing a bumper or a door, it’ll be a win in itself. Grégoire Munster, who finally picked up some points in Sweden, is still trying to find his groove. He started strong here last year before his suspension called it quits. If he can avoid the pitfalls, he might just pull off something special.
This isn’t just a rally; it’s an extreme endurance test. Teams must modify their cars with reinforced underbody protection, higher ride heights, and softer suspension setups. And just when they think they’ve got it all figured out, Mother Nature decides to spice things up with sudden downpours, turning the roads into impromptu swimming pools.The 2023 Sleeping Warrior stage is a prime example one minute it’s a dust bowl, the next minute it’s a full-on mud wrestling arena. Success here isn’t just about speed; it’s about survival, patience, and maybe a little bit of praying.
.Oliver Solberg has been untouchable in Sweden, securing a hat-trick of wins. But in Kenya, he’s had more mechanical failures than a 20-year-old Land Rover. He’ll be hoping to break that curse this time around. Gus Greensmith, last year’s WRC2 Safari Rally winner, is itching to get his 2025 points tally rolling. Other big names include Jan Solans, two-time Safari winner Kajetan Kajetanowicz, and reigning WRC3 champion Diego Dominguez, all of whom are ready to brave the madness.
Safari Rally Kenya is one of the last great motorsport adventures. It’s not just about horsepower; it’s about grit, strategy, and, occasionally, making peace with whatever creature decides to cross your path. With unpredictable weather, punishing terrain, and the world’s best drivers all gunning for glory, this year’s event promises yet another chapter of high-speed chaos and unforgettable moments.
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