With just days to go before the engines fire up in Diani, organizers of the East Africa Safari Classic Rally 2025 have confirmed 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 grueling nine-day journey will take crews from the coast to the savannah, starting on December 5th and moving through Diani, Voi, and Amboseli, before returning to Diani for the grand finish on December 13th.
Deputy Clerk of Course Riyaz Ismail emphasized the paramount importance of safety in designing the course. “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,” he noted.
This comprehensive safety strategy 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.
Speaking ahead of the start of this grand adventure, Riyaz explained 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,” Riyaz said. “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.”
The rally kicks off on December 5th, 2025, from the Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani. Legs 1 through 3 will concentrate around Diani and Voi, utilizing the Taita Hill Safari Resort & Spa as a base.
The adventure then continues with Legs 4 through 6, taking the convoy from Voi onward to Amboseli Sopa Lodge, where a scheduled rest day will give crews and cars a break on December 9th. Finally, the competitors will make their journey back to the coast, culminating in the finish on December 13th, back at the Diamond Leisure Beach & Golf Resort in Diani.
Over the course of the nine days, the total distance covered will be roughly 4,000 km, with a competitive route covering over 2,000 km, promising to test both man and machine across varied terrain and unpredictable weather.
Riyaz asserted that 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,” he observed. “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, 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 of officials, 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 confirmed 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.”
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