The Safari Rally was notorious for being by far the most difficult rally in the WRC championship to win- some had said that winning this particular rally was the equivalent of winning three other rallies. The arduous conditions such as the constantly changing weather and the very rough roads- often rife with sharp rocks made life very difficult for team personnel- repairs were constantly having to be made to the cars and a lot of time would be often lost- and all this work had to be done in sometimes intense heat and humidity.
The event adopted the special stage format in 1996. From that edition until 2002, it featured over 1000 km of timed stages, with stages well over 60 km long, unlike most rallies which had under 500 km of total timed distance. This meant that the winner's total time was above 12 hours in 1996 and decreased to two seconds shy of 8 hours in 2002.
The event was part of the World Rally Championship calendar for many years until being excluded after 2002 due to the lack of finance and organisation in 2003. The Kenyan government is trying to get the rally's WRC status restored. Since 2003 the event has been part of the African Rally Championship organised by the FIA. It is currently known as the KCB Safari Rally after its sponsor, Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB).
Local driver Shekhar Mehta is the most successful in the event with five outright victories (1973, 1979–1982).
| Year | Rally Name / Dates | Winning Driver | Co-driver | Winning Car | Status |
|---|
| 1953 | 1st Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} Alan Dix | {{flagicon|KEN}} Johnny Larsen | Volkswagen Beetle | |
| 1954 | 2nd Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} D P Marwaha | {{flagicon|KEN}} Vic Preston Sr | Volkswagen Beetle | |
| 1955 | 3rd Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} Vic Preston Sr | {{flagicon|KEN}} D P Marwaha | Ford Zephyr | |
| 1956 | 4th Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} Eric Cecil | {{flagicon|KEN}} Tony Vickers | DKW | |
| 1957 | 5th Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} Gus Hofmann | {{flagicon|KEN}} Arthur Burton | Volkswagen Beetle | |
| 1958 | 6th Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} T. Brooke
{{flagicon|KEN}} Arne Kopperud
{{flagicon|KEN}} Morris Temple-Boreham | {{flagicon|KEN}} Peter Hughes
{{flagicon|KEN}} Kora Kopperud
{{flagicon|KEN}} Mike Armstrong | Ford Anglia 100E (Impala class)
Ford Zephyr II (Lion class)
Auto Union 1000 (Leopard class) | |
| 1959 | 7th Coronation Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} Bill Fritschy | {{flagicon|KEN}} Jack Ellis | Mercedes-Benz 219 | |
| 1960 | 8th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} Bill Fritschy | {{flagicon|KEN}} Jack Ellis | Mercedes-Benz 219 | |
| 1961 | 9th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|KEN}} John Manussis | {{flagicon|KEN}} Bill Coleridge
{{flagicon|KEN}} David Bekett | Mercedes-Benz 220SE | |
| 1962 | 10th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Tommy Fjastad | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Bernhard Schmider | Volkswagen 1200 | |
| 1963 | 11th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Nick Nowicki | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Paddy Cliff | Peugeot 404 | |
| 1964 | 12th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Peter Hughes | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Bill Young | Ford Cortina GT | |
| 1965 | 13th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Joginder Singh | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Jaswant Singh | Volvo PV 544 | |
| 1966 | 14th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Tanzania}} Bert Shankland | {{flagicon|Tanzania}} Chris Rothwell | Peugeot 404 | |
| 1967 | 15th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Tanzania}} Bert Shankland | {{flagicon|Tanzania}} Chris Rothwell | Peugeot 404 | |
| 1968 | 16th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Nick Nowicki | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Paddy Cliff | Peugeot 404[2] | |
| 1969 | 17th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Robin Hillyar | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Jock Aird | Ford Taunus 20M RS | |
| 1970 | 18th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Edgar Herrmann | {{flagicon|Germany}} Hans Schüller | Datsun 1600 SSS | |
| 1971 | 19th East African Safari Rally | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Edgar Herrmann | {{flagicon|Germany}} Hans Schüller | Datsun 240Z | |
| 1972 | 20th East African Safari Rally
(30 Mar – 3 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Hannu Mikkola | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Gunnar Palm | Ford Escort RS1600 | IMC |
| 1973 | 21st East African Safari Rally
(19 – 23 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Shekhar Mehta | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Lofty Drews | Datsun 240Z | WRC |
| 1974 | 22nd East African Safari Rally
(11 – 15 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Joginder Singh | {{flagicon|Kenya}} David Doig | Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR | WRC |
| 1975 | 23rd Safari Rally
(27 – 31 Mar) | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Ove Andersson | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Arne Hertz | Peugeot 504 | WRC |
| 1976 | 24th Safari Rally
(15 – 19 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Joginder Singh | {{flagicon|Kenya}} David Doig | Mitsubishi Lancer 1600 GSR | WRC |
| 1977 | 25th Safari Rally
(7 – 11 Apr) | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Björn Waldegård | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Hans Thorszelius | Ford Escort RS1800 | WRC |
| 1978 | 26th Safari Rally
(23 – 27 Mar) | {{flagicon|France}} Jean-Pierre Nicolas | {{flagicon|France}} Jean-Claude Lefèbvre | Peugeot 504 V6 Coupé | WRC |
| 1979 | 27th Safari Rally
(12 – 16 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Shekhar Mehta | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Mike Doughty | Datsun 160J | WRC |
| 1980 | 28th Safari Rally
(3 – 7 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Shekhar Mehta | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Mike Doughty | Datsun 160J | WRC |
| 1981 | 29th Safari Rally
(16 – 20 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Shekhar Mehta | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Mike Doughty | Nissan Violet GT | WRC |
| 1982 | 30th Marlboro Safari Rally
(8 – 12 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Shekhar Mehta | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Mike Doughty | Nissan Violet GT | WRC |
| 1983 | 31st Marlboro Safari Rally
(30 Mar – 4 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Ari Vatanen | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Terry Harryman | Opel Ascona 400 | WRC |
| 1984 | 32nd Marlboro Safari Rally
(19 – 23 Apr) | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Björn Waldegård | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Hans Thorszelius | Toyota Celica TCT | WRC |
| 1985 | 33rd Marlboro Safari Rally
(4 – 8 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Juha Kankkunen | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Fred Gallagher | Toyota Celica TCT | WRC |
| 1986 | 34th Marlboro Safari Rally
(29 Mar – 2 Apr) | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Björn Waldegård | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Fred Gallagher | Toyota Celica TCT | WRC |
| 1987 | 35th Marlboro Safari Rally
(16 – 20 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Hannu Mikkola | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Arne Hertz | Audi 200 Quattro | WRC |
| 1988 | 36th Marlboro Safari Rally
(31 Mar – 4 Apr) | {{flagicon|Italy}} Miki Biasion | {{flagicon|Italy}} Tiziano Siviero | Lancia Delta HF Integrale | WRC |
| 1989 | 37th Marlboro Safari Rally
(23–27 Mar) | {{flagicon|Italy}} Miki Biasion | {{flagicon|Italy}} Tiziano Siviero | Lancia Delta HF Integrale | WRC |
| 1990 | 38th Marlboro Safari Rally
(11–16 Apr) | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Björn Waldegård | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Fred Gallagher | Toyota Celica GT-Four ST165 | WRC |
| 1991 | 39th Martini Safari Rally
27 (Mar – 1 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Juha Kankkunen | {{flagicon|Finland}} Juha Piironen | Lancia Delta HF Integrale 16v | WRC |
| 1992 | 40th Martini Safari Rally
27 (Mar – 1 Apr) | {{flagicon|Spain}} Carlos Sainz | {{flagicon|Spain}} Luis Moya | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | WRC |
| 1993 | 41st Trustbank Safari Rally
(8–12 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Juha Kankkunen | {{flagicon|Finland}} Juha Piironen | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | WRC |
| 1994 | 42nd Trustbank Safari Rally
(31 Mar – 3 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Ian Duncan | {{flagicon|Kenya}} David Williamson | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | WRC |
| 1995 | 43rd Safari Rally
(14–17 Apr) | {{flagicon|Japan}} Yoshio Fujimoto | {{flagicon|Sweden}} Arne Hertz | Toyota Celica Turbo 4WD | 2LWC |
| 1996 | 44th Safari Rally
(5–7 Apr) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Tommi Mäkinen | {{flagicon|Finland}} Seppo Harjanne | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution III | WRC |
| 1997 | 45th Safari Rally
(1–3 Mar) | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Colin McRae | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Nicky Grist | Subaru Impreza WRC97 | WRC |
| 1998 | 46th Safari Rally
(28 Feb – 2 Mar) | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Richard Burns | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Robert Reid | Mitsubishi Carisma GT Evolution IV (Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IV) | WRC |
| 1999 | 47th Safari Rally
(26–28 Feb) | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Colin McRae | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Nicky Grist | Ford Focus WRC | WRC |
| 2000 | 48th Sameer Safari Rally
(25–27 Feb) | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Richard Burns | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Robert Reid | Subaru Impreza WRC00 | WRC |
| 2001 | 49th Safari Rally
(20–22 Jul) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Tommi Mäkinen | {{flagicon|Finland}} Risto Mannisenmäki | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 6.5 | WRC |
| 2002 | 50th Inmarsat Safari Rally
(12–14 Jul) | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Colin McRae | {{flagicon|United Kingdom}} Nicky Grist | Ford Focus RS WRC 02 | WRC |
| 2003 | 51st KCB Safari Rally
(9-11 Oct) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Glen Edmunds | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Titch Phillips | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI | ARC |
| 2004 | 52nd KCB Safari Rally
(12–14 Mar) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Carl Tundo | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Tim Jessop | Subaru Impreza | ARC |
| 2005 | 53rd KCB Safari Rally
(15th – 17th Jul) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Glen Edmunds | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Des Page-Morris | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII | ARC |
| 2006 | 54th KCB Safari Rally
(24 – 26 Mar) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Azar Anwar | {{flagicon|Kenya}} George Mwangi | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VI | ARC |
| 2007 | 55th KCB Safari Rally
(9-11 Mar) | {{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} Conrad Rautenbach | {{flagicon|Zimbabwe}} Peter Marsh | Subaru Impreza N10 | IRC & ARC |
| 2008 | 56th KCB Safari Rally
(27–29 Jun) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Lee Rose | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Piers Daykin | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
| 2009 | 57th KCB Safari Rally
(3–5 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Carl Tundo | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Tim Jessop | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | IRC & ARC |
| 2010 | 58th KCB Safari Rally
(2–4 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Lee Rose | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Piers Daykin | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
| 2011 | 59th KCB Safari Rally
(17–19 Jun) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Carl Tundo | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Tim Jessop | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
| 2012 | 60th KCB Safari Rally
(8–10 Jun) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Carl Tundo | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Tim Jessop | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution IX | ARC |
| 2013 | 61st KCB Safari Rally
(5–7 Jul) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Baldev Chager | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Ravi Soni | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | ARC |
| 2014 | 62nd KCB Safari Rally
(12–14 Sep) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Baldev Chager | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Ravi Soni | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | ARC |
| 2015 | 63rd KCB Safari Rally
(4–5 Apr) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Singh Chatthe Jaspreet | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Panesar Gurdeep | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | KRC |
| 2016 | 64th KCB Safari Rally
(10–11 Jun) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Singh Chatthe Jaspreet | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Panesar Gurdeep | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | KRC |
| 2017 | 65th Safari Rally
(17–18 Mar) | {{flagicon|Finland}} Tapio Laukkanen | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Gavin Laurence | Subaru Impreza WRX STi 4 D R4 | ARC & KRC |
| 2018 | 66th Safari Rally
(16–18 Mar) | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Carl Tundo | {{flagicon|Kenya}} Tim Jessop | Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X R4 | ARC & KRC |
Notes: IMC = International Championship for Manufacturers, WRC = World Rally Championship, 2LWC = 2-Litre World Cup, ARC = African Rally Championship, IRC = Intercontinental Rally Challenge, KRC = Kenya National Rally Championship
The East African Safari Rally is a Classic rally event first held in 2003 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first running of the event. The event has since been held biennially.
1. ^The name Tanzania did not exist in 1953
2. ^{{cite magazine| authorlink = Paddy Cliff (co-driver of winning car)| title = Safari 68|magazine=Autocar | volume = 129 (nbr 3777)| pages =6–9 |date = 4 July 1968}}
3. ^{{cite web|last=International sportworld communication|title=Safari glory for first world champion Waldegard|url=http://www.wrc.com/news/victoria-en-el-safari-para-waldegard/?fid=15844|publisher=29 November 2011|accessdate=29 November 2011}}
4. ^{{Cite news|url=http://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/final-classification-safari-classic-2017/|title=Final Classification Safari Classic 2017|date=2017-12-01|work=East African Safari Classic Rally|access-date=2018-02-15|language=en-GB}}
5. ^{{Cite news|url=http://www.eastafricansafarirally.com/tundo-jackson-share-safari-classic-podium/|title=Tundo and Jackson share Safari Classic victory|date=2017-12-01|work=East African Safari Classic Rally|access-date=2018-02-15|language=en-GB}}