By OUR CORRESPONDENT
With just days to go before the engines fire up in Diani, organizers of the East Africa Safari Classic Rally 2025 the full route is ready, safety measures are locked in, and the entire organizing team is on high alert for what promises to be another unforgettable edition of the world’s greatest classic rally.
This year’s route will take crews from the coast to the savannah from the 5th of December,
moving through Diani, Voi, and Amboseli, before returning to Diani for the grand finish
on December 13.
Deputy Clerk of Course Riyaz Ismail noted, “We think about the competitors, other road
users, and the villagers who line these routes every year. Every kilometre has been
designed with their safety in mind.”
This includes dedicated slow zones through villages, stricter marshal deployment, and close engagement with local boda boda riders who help manage junctions and support officials on the ground.
Riyaz speaking ahead of the start of the grand adventure, said that the team has
intentionally selected roads that capture the rugged beauty and challenge of classic
rallying without compromising the well-being of spectators and residents.
“We always try to scout interior roads, away from large populations. But some villages
you simply cannot avoid, and those end up being the most memorable. Entire
communities come out cheering, children running alongside the cars. It’s part of the
magic of Safari Classic Rally, and we must protect it.”
Rally Route & Key Dates
Start: 5 December 2025 , at Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort, Diani
Legs 1–3: Diani (Day 1) → Voi (Legs 2 & 3 via Taita Hill Safari Resort & Spa)
Legs 4–6: From Voi onward to Amboseli Sopa Lodge , including a scheduled
rest day on 9 December in Amboseli.
Final Day / Finish: 13 December, returning to Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf
Resort, Diani.
Over the course of nine days and roughly 4,000 km in total distance (with a competitive
route covering over 2,000 km), this edition promises to test both man and machine
across varied terrain and unpredictable weather.
Riyaz said the 2025 edition has been built to stand up to any weather the season may
offer. “Whether it rains or it stays dusty, the roads will give drivers a proper challenge. If
I was a competitor, I’d be very happy. These are lovely stages, tough enough to
demand respect, but rewarding for those who drive smart.”
Riyaz said the 2025 edition has been built to stand up to any weather the season may
offer. “Whether it rains or it stays dusty, the roads will give drivers a proper challenge. If
I was a competitor, I’d be very happy. These are lovely stages, tough enough to
demand respect, but rewarding for those who drive smart.”
Behind the route lies an enormous operational effort. The event will be supported by
more than 135 officials spread across various sections, ensuring timing accuracy,
safety oversight, communications, technical checks, and community coordination.
“Rallying is always a team sport,” Riyaz says.
“Not just for the drivers and co-drivers, but for organizers too. You can’t run an event like this alone. It takes an army ofofficials, volunteers, and well-wishers to keep the Classic at a world-class standard.”
With final checks underway and anticipation rising across the motorsport community,
Riyaz says the organizers are ready.
“On the morning after the rally ends, I want everyone, competitors, crews, fans, to wake up and say, that felt like a dream. Can we do it again? That’s the experience we’re working to deliver.”
Riyaz also acknowledged the vital support of MRF Tyres, the event’s new Title Sponsor
for the 2025 edition. Known globally for strength, durability, and high-performance
engineering, MRF’s involvement aligns perfectly with the character of the Safari Classic.
The rally is built on long, punishing stages that demand resilience from both man and
machine, and those same qualities define MRF’s tires. The partnership reinforces a
shared commitment to toughness, reliability, and excellence, and adds even greater
momentum to an event already regarded as the world’s toughest historic rally.
