The Serengeti Rally of Tanzania 2026 is scheduled to take place over four days, from October 1 to Sunday, October 4. A total of 24 crews have entered the competition, with nine drivers competing in the Africa Rally Championship (ARC) and 15 in the National Rally Championship (NRC). The event will feature a mix of experienced international competitors and Tanzanian crews, covering approximately 250 kilometers, including 186.81 kilometers of competitive stages.
The rally will be staged in Morogoro, with Clerk of the Course Mosi Makau confirming that all preparations have been completed. The competition will run under the ARC and NRC categories, with the entry list issued at the close of late entries. The rally program will begin with reconnaissance on October 1, giving crews an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the stages and prepare their pace notes.
The Free Practice and Qualifying Stage will take place on October 2, followed by the official Ceremonial Start in the evening. Competitive action will begin on Saturday, with crews tackling the 13.35-kilometer Ruaha Stage and 16.25-kilometer Serengeti Stage three times each, before completing the day with a 2.40-kilometer Super Special Stage. This will provide approximately 91.20 kilometers of competition.
On Sunday, the program will feature the 22.36-kilometer Kilimanjaro Stage and the 9.51-kilometer Ngorongoro Stage, with both stages being run three times. All competitive stages will be held within areas managed by Tanzania Forest Services (TFS). The event is expected to attract a strong domestic battle in the NRC field, with crews representing various teams, including Mkwawa Rally Team, AESL Rally Team, and Amapiano Motorsport.
The ARC field includes defending champions Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba of Uganda, who will return in their Ford Fiesta MK II. Other international competitors include Karan Patel and Tauseef Khan from Kenya, as well as Aakif Virani and Zahir Shah. Tanzania's ARC challenge will feature Ahmed Huwel and Roheet Solanki in a Toyota Yaris GR and Manveer Birdi and Zubayr Piredina in a Skoda Fabia Evo.
The NRC field will provide a strong domestic battle, with crews representing various teams. Among those entered are Salum Balhabou, Gurpal Sandhu, Waleed Nahdi, Charles Bicco, and Kartick Valambia. Mkwawa Group Director of Relations Richard Sinamtwa has called on fans to attend the rally in large numbers, saying the event offers an opportunity to experience high-level motorsport while creating business opportunities for communities around the competition.
Safety officials are urging spectators to follow instructions and observe safety guidelines during the event. Chief of Rally Safety Benard Kihondo stressed that spectators must follow instructions from safety officials, avoid restricted areas, and remain in safe positions throughout the stages. TFS representative Beatrice Nkwabi also urged fans to turn out while observing safety instructions and remaining within designated spectator areas.
Key points
- The Serengeti Rally of Tanzania 2026 will feature 24 crews competing in the Africa Rally Championship and National Rally Championship.
- The event will cover approximately 250 kilometers, including 186.81 kilometers of competitive stages.
- Defending ARC champions Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba of Uganda will compete in the event.
