Safari Rally introduces two new stages amid race preparations

The 2025 World Rally Championships (WRC) Safari Rally has introduced two new stages at Mzabibu and Camp Moran amid race preparations in Naivasha.

The Safari Rally cars are already offloaded and set for Naivasha Service Park as WRC teams are expected to spend the rest week preparing for reconnaissance scheduled for Monday and Tuesday. 

Toyota Gazoo Racing and Hyundai Motorsports spent the better part of the day on Thursday offloading containers while making sure their GR Yaris reconnaissance cars were in good shape.

Following the conclusion of two days of reconnaissance schedule, crews will head to Sleeping Warrior for a 5km Shakedown stage.

Service Park Manager Joe Muchiri confirmed the arrival of Toyota and Hyundai containers at the Wildlife Research and Training Institute in Naivasha.

"All the containers for Toyota and Hyundai are already at the Service Park, save for M-Sport Ford, which is on its way. By Sunday every single structure will have been set up and the service fully operational," said Muchiri. 

The Service Park is traditionally the nerve center of the rally and will be the venue for the Rally Headquarters,  Media Centre and the designated scrutineering area. 

"Between now and Monday when reconnaissance starts, all teams will be working on their recce cars, having a thorough going over to ensure that they're set to suit weather conditions and the set up of new stages," Muchiri said.

After two days of reconnaissance on Monday and Tuesday,  teams head to the Sleeping Warrior Shakedown stage on Wednesday before the main event begins on Thursday with the ceremonial start at City Hall Way in Nairobi.

According to the Clerk of the Course, KICC  will this time round serve as the holding area for the cars.

The rally culminates with the second run of the Hell's Gate speed test (10.53km) which will serve as the Power Stage on Sunday, March 23, from 2.15 pm.