History Event 1960s

1963 East African Safari Rally

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 1963 East African Safari Rally

Date: April 11–15, 1963

Start/Finish Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Total Distance: Approximately 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles)

Participating Teams: 91 entries, 84 starters

Total Finishers: 7 crews (the 'Unsinkable Seven')

The 1963 East African Safari Rally is remembered as one of the most grueling events in rally history. Stretching across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanganyika (modern-day Tanzania), it featured torrential rains, mud-caked trails, and brutal mechanical attrition. Of the 84 starters, only 7 managed to finish, earning the nickname 'Unsinkable Seven' for their endurance and luck in overcoming Africa’s fiercest terrain.

Route

Kenyan Highlands: Rocky climbs, flooded plains, and riverbed crossings where bridges had collapsed or washed out.
Ugandan Stages: Dense rainforests and red clay roads became nearly impassable after the rains.
Tanganyikan Sections: Long, arid zones tested cooling systems and driver stamina in searing heat and dust.

The route formed a giant loop through East Africa’s most punishing environments:

Rains were so intense that vehicles were stranded for hours or abandoned, and improvised repairs in the bush were often the only path to survival.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Nick Nowicki & Paddy Cliff · Peugeot 404
2nd Place
Peter Hughes & William Young · Ford Anglia
3rd Place
Jim Cardwell & David Lead · Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb

Only 7 crews completed the rally. The winners, Nowicki and Cliff in their Peugeot 404, drove conservatively and strategically, avoiding disaster where faster competitors faltered.

Car Highlights

In the Safari, resilience mattered more than speed. Ground clearance, simplicity, and durability were key to survival:

  • Peugeot 404: Strong suspension and legendary toughness made it a favorite in African rallies.
  • Ford Anglia: Lightweight and mechanically simple, allowing bush repairs to keep it in the race.
  • Mercedes-Benz 220 SEb: Heavy but extremely robust, with excellent endurance over long, punishing distances.

Navigation & Challenges

The rally was not just a test of driving, it was a battle of survival against nature and time:

  • Flash Floods: Roads vanished in minutes; many crews were stranded or forced to reroute.
  • Mechanical Failures: Axles snapped, engines seized, and electrics failed in deep water crossings and mud.
  • Wildlife & Isolation: Crews encountered elephants, lions, and long stretches without assistance or spectators.

The 1963 East African Safari Rally cemented its legacy as the world’s toughest rally, where just finishing was an honor and only seven made it through.

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