History 1970s

1978 Safari Rally (Kenya)

Overview Route Results Cars Challenges

Overview

Event Name: 26th Safari Rally

Date: March 23–27, 1978

Host Country: Kenya

Surface: Gravel

Total Distance: ~5,000 km

Total Starters: 72 crews

Total Finishers: 13 crews

The 1978 Safari Rally upheld its reputation as the ultimate endurance test in world rallying. Battling across Kenya’s remote plains, river crossings, rocky hills, and wildlife-laced tracks, competitors were pushed to the limit of reliability and resilience. Jean-Pierre Nicolas and Jean-Claude Lefebvre, driving a factory-prepared Peugeot 504 Coupé V6, delivered a measured and durable drive to claim victory in one of the toughest Safari editions of the decade.

Route

Rift Valley: Rough, high-speed trails with rocky riverbeds and variable traction zones.
Amboseli–Tsavo Region: Dusty trails with deep ruts and elephant crossings.
Mount Kenya Foothills: Rain-prone forests and sharp climbs with unpredictable washouts.

Starting and ending in Nairobi, the route passed through vast portions of Kenya’s interior—crossing savannahs, volcanic flats, muddy jungle tracks, and arid highlands.

The weather ranged from blinding sun to torrential downpours—turning dry roads into mud pits and forcing teams to adjust their strategy hour by hour.

🏆 Results

Overall Winner
Jean-Pierre Nicolas & Jean-Claude Lefebvre · Peugeot 504 Coupé V6
2nd Place
Hannu Mikkola & Arne Hertz · Datsun 160J
3rd Place
Shekhar Mehta & Mike Doughty · Datsun 160J

Nicolas’s smooth, deliberate pace and the Peugeot’s incredible durability allowed them to survive while faster rivals dropped out—highlighting the balance between speed and survival in the African wilderness.

Navigation & Challenges

  • Wildlife Hazards: Antelope, elephants, and zebra frequently crossed the route, requiring split-second reactions.
  • Mechanical Endurance: Continuous punishment over five days meant that even small issues could escalate without rapid repairs.
  • Flooding and Mud: Unexpected storms turned dry tracks into swamps, stranding multiple contenders in deep ruts.

The 1978 Safari Rally was a brutal war of attrition—Nicolas’s victory was a testament to patience, experience, and Peugeot’s proven African rally pedigree.

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