[PHOTOS] Thrilling moments at 2025 WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha

The track appears treacherous, with pools of water and thick sludge, making the race an ultimate test of skill and endurance

by Allan Kisia

News21 March 2025 - 17:10

In Summary

- The surrounding environment is lush and green, with tall trees providing a dramatic backdrop. Their twisted branches reach toward the sky, adding to the wild, untamed feel of the scene.
- The track appears treacherous, with pools of water and thick sludge, making the race an ultimate test of skill and endurance.

The 2025 WRC Safari Rally action in Naivasha got intense on Friday, with 371 kilometres to be covered all through Sunday.

This year, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) approved 33 cars to take part in the rally.

The team to beat is Toyota Gazoo Racing who have dominated the Safari Rally since the event returned to WRC in 2021.

Rally enthusiasts are being treated to moments of brilliance as they watch intensity in the rally races with cars covered in mud as they speed through a rugged, muddy terrain, kicking up a massive spray of wet earth and debris.

The vehicle, a high-performance off-road machine, is also seen navigating a rough track with deep mud, leaving a trail of churned-up dirt behind it.

The surrounding environment is lush and green, with tall trees providing a dramatic backdrop. Their twisted branches reach toward the sky, adding to the wild, untamed feel of the scene.

The track appears treacherous, with pools of water and thick sludge, making the race an ultimate test of skill and endurance.

It is the fifth edition of the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally since its return to the WRC calendar

This year’s edition is the third round of the 2025 WRC season after Monte Carlo (January 23-26) and Sweden (February 13-16).

In 2021, French man Sebastian Ogier clocked 3:18:11.3 to claim overall victory leading fellow Toyota driver Takamoto Katsuta of Japan (3:18:33.1) with Hyundai’s Ott Tanak (3:19:20.8) completing the podium places.

The 2022 Safari saw Toyota sweep the podium led by Kalle Rovanpera who clocked 3:40:24.9 with Britain’s Elfyns Evans (3:41:17.7) and Takamoto (3:42:07.6) rounding off the podium.

In the 2023 edition, Toyota yet again swept the podium with Ogier claiming his second title after clocking 3:30:42.5 ahead of Rovanpera (3:30:49.2) and Evans (3:33:41.0).

Last year, Rovanpera triumphed in 3:36:04.0 with Takamoto second (3:37:41.8) and M-Sport Ford’s Adrien Fourmax third (3:38:29.1).

"Rally car powers through muddy terrain in high-speed action.""Rally car powers through muddy terrain in high-speed action."