Enjoying Naivasha WRC Safari Rally On A Budget, Plus Dos & Don'ts

In just two years, Naivasha town in Nakuru County has grown from being one boasting a lake in the Great Rift Valley with a population of over 198,000 at the 2019 census to one of Kenya's top tourist destinations for one reason; the World Rally Championship (WRC) Safari Rally.

Held since 2021 after an 18-year hiatus, the Safari Rally is one of the most anticipated sports events in the whole of East Africa, if not the whole country, drawing thousands to the town nicknamed 'Vasha'.

The weekend-long event began on Thursday, June 22 in Nairobi and will conclude on Sunday, June 25. Kasarani's Super Special Stage drew thousands of Nairobi residents to the venue, a taste of what is expected as the rally enters the penultimate stage, on a weekend.

Despite falling on the weekend when employed Kenyans are expected to be paid their monthly salaries, the 2023 showpiece is expected to have Kenyans take austerity measures to preserve as much of their money in their accounts as possible pending the assent of the Finance Bill 2023 into law by President William Ruto, which would bring forth a string of new and increased taxes starting July 2023, some of which will affect their salaries.

Still, despite tough economic times, you can still have fun at the Safari Rally without having to break the bank. Viral Tea offers you some suggestions on how to enjoy your Vasha weekend on an affordable budget.

First of all, you must have a budget in place before you leave Nairobi or any other city, and take note of the following:

Transport (Carpooling)

With fuel prices hitting record highs and major roads leading to Naivasha, Elementaita and the Soysambu Conservancy likely to be choked with traffic jams, you can share a ride with your friend(s).

With carpooling, you make an arrangement with your friends to travel in a single vehicle and agree on sharing the cost of fuel, parking and even driving responsibilities if two or more of you has experience with inter-county driving, thus reducing your expenses, and energy, by nearly 50 per cent or more.

You also save more money the more occupants are in your carpool. Carpooling is also a means of socialisation; that is you can interact with your friends, catch up on stories the likes of Viral Tea have been giving you every week and play a few games along the way.

Accommodation

By now you know that several hotels and accommodation hotspots are fully booked, but there are some staycation areas which offer you accommodation, though in other towns where the action will take place. However, you should consider value for money when choosing accommodation as well as value for money within the lower end of the accommodation price spectrum.

One of the best ways to sleep for free in Naivasha is camping. That is, you can purchase your own camping equipment or hire those from online stores or from friends who will not be going to Naivasha.

Pack your own bedding and ensure that you have packed warm clothing in your luggage as Naivasha tends to be very chilly at night, and with the current cold weather conditions, temperatures can dip to 13 degrees Celsius at around 6 am.

Food & Cutlery

Before travelling, go shopping for groceries which will prompt you to cook meals instead of eating out for every meal. Some accommodation hotspots are notably far away from the nearest grocery store so depending on your duration of stay, you will need to shop for enough groceries for cooking breakfast, lunch and supper.

Fill a jerrican from your house with water and take a smaller empty water bottle with you and fill it up when you want to quench your thirst. Again, depending on the location of your stay, you will need enough bottles or jerricans of water to last you the whole weekend.

Carry a portable gas cooker with you for efficient cooking of your food, and ensure that it is filled with gas as you will need to do plenty of cooking. If you have a portable grill, carry it and you can make a barbeque during the WRC.

Bring non-perishable groceries from home or pack up a cooler with ice for things that have to stay cold. Also, carry cutlery that includes disposable plates to avoid using excess water, especially for cleaning utensils.

First Aid Kit

First-aid kits help you manage medical emergencies as quickly as possible. In case of an emergency, a delay of just a single minute can cause irreconcilable damage and because of the possible remoteness of the area, a first aid kit is your go-to for reducing the severity of the injury and preventing infection.

In most first aid kits you will find the supplies to treat cuts, burns, scrapes, sprains and many other common ailments before you consider seeking further attention at a medical facility.

Electronic Accessories

Carrying devices on any trip is almost a necessity; whether your phone or speaker, flashlights for the night among others for safety, enjoyment and in case of emergencies. Keeping them charged especially during travels in this case can be tough and on numerous occasions, low battery or out of power on any of these devices can range from an inconvenience to serious trouble.

A camping site in Naivasha. /FILE

For example, a flashlight without batteries makes it almost impossible for someone to see in the dark and on some occasions, keep away any wild animals that may stalk camping areas at night.

A power bank can keep your camera charged so you never miss out on the perfect shot. You can find the power bank that fits your needs perfectly, but remember to carry your chargers and an extra pair of flashlights for the night.

Dos & Don'ts During WRC Safari Rally

If those who attended the Kasarani stage haven't yet told you about safety regulations, we will. There are many regulations that will need to be followed and common sense as well as rules call for total obedience to the guidelines set by organizers.

Any areas marked as No-Go Zones should be avoided at all costs. Even though the Safari Rally thrills many and is perfect for raising adrenaline, disobeying this specific rule can lead to life-threatening consequences as the competing WRC cars travel at an extremely high speed.

There are marked spectator zones where rally enthusiasts enjoy the show. Whichever spectator zone you choose to stand in, make sure there is enough space to move freely as a few off-route movements are expected.

Most of these zones are sharp, dusty bends, so expect to breathe in some of the dust particles. It is therefore advisable to have a pair of glasses, a cap, and a mask in order to shield off dust and particles.

For the purpose of watching the competition, choose elevated grounds or stand behind solid obstacles. Avoid areas like the inner parts of a curve as well as standing in front of trees, houses, or impassable obstacles.

Everybody wants to have a feel of this event including children. However, you should be aware that should you decide to tag your child along, their safety is entirely in your hands.

Pets are not allowed at the special stage or spectator zones. If you are with your pet, make sure they are well secured so that they don’t find their way to the area of restriction.

Throwing objects on the route being used by drivers would result in serious mechanical damage to cars and the event organizers have therefore asked spectators to refrain from the said action, which has the potential to even cancel a stage.

Despite the cold weather, the Safari Rally is sports territory and you are advised to look as sporty and comfortable as possible. Therefore, as you select your wardrobe, pick comfortable sneakers, bottoms (pants), and tops.

Even though it will be cloudy, one will experience body heat during the day due to hyped activities so consider having lukewarm garments.

Above all, drink responsibly. Don’t cut short the fun with the overindulgence of alcohol or driving under the influence, and lastly, make sure you have fun!

P.S: Some spectator stages will strongly encourage you to be there by 6 am and plan beforehand to be at the spectator area for the entire day as the WRC drivers begin the morning proceedings.

Around 500,000 condoms will be made available to enthusiasts attending the WRC in Naivasha as a precautionary measure to promote safe sex.

Fans watch Dani Sordo in action for Hyundai during the WRC Safari Rally shakedown on June 21, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO