History 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.

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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