World Rally Team drivers bracing up for this week’s WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha savoured a once-in-a-lifetime experience to relax and allow their minds to be free from the subsequent weeklong rally program, which starts with reconnaissance today and Tuesday.

Current FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) leader and Hyundai Motorsports‘ star Thierry Neuville, who is among the drivers on the historic WRC Drivers Tour—courtesy of the WRC Promoter, the Magical Kenya brand, and the Sports Ministry—was elated to visit the Mara for the first time before Safari action.

After landing with his colleagues at Mara’s Musiara Airstrip, Neuville said, “We had a good kickoff of the season; we are still leading the championship, and coming to Kenya much earlier in the season, we are looking forward to doing well.” Neuville continued: “I know it’s a rainy season, and it’s going to be a different scenario compared to what we have seen in the previous years, but it’s always exciting to be here, which is something of an adventure.

“Asked about his magical Kenya experience in the wild, Neuville continued: “In the Mara, I want to discover a bit of wildlife; I mean, it’s a very beautiful landscape and just too different from what we are used to seeing back in Europe. It is an enjoyable experience and something you have to do once in a lifetime, and I’m lucky to be here. The storm is coming, and it might be like this the whole week, so we expect a very tough event in Naivasha.” Neuville’s co-driver Martijn Wydaeghe visited the Mara for three days last year and had loads of stories to tell his seatmate, who finally got the opportunity to visit Theiconic National Reserve, located in an area of preserved savannah wilderness in southwestern Kenya, along the Tanzanian border. The WRC drivers also had the opportunity to witness firsthand many animals, including lions,cheetahs, elephants, zebras, and hippos, in an area synonymous with the Wildebeest annual migration.

Over and above the game drives, MaasaiMara Hot Air Balloon Adventure also added to the visitors’ adventure as they explored the landscape, the animals, and the birds chirping around.

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s Elfyn Evans, on his part, commented: “This is the first time I’m going for a game drive in Kenya; obviously, I’ve been here quite a few years now and seen some of the animals during the recce, and I’m looking forward to it today.” Elfyn, currently ranked second on 45 points, three behind Neuville, went on: I’m happy to see what we find because everybody wants to spot the lion.

We always try to arrive as prepared as we can; of course, we have to find a balance between being prepared and being relaxed.” Grégoire Munster of M-Sport Ford WRT was flabbergasted to experience the Mara (a wonder of the world) for the first time, and here’s what he had to say about his maiden visit: “We arrived on Friday evening, and today (Saturday), we had a chance to fly to Maasai Mara with that small plane. I mean, it’s quite an experience to get the chance to do so.” Munster added, “It was delightful. I didn’t know about the Mara adventure before, but I must admit that it was quite a good feeling seeing the Maasai people dancing for us and welcoming us upon arrival at the airport.”

After being seen off by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba at Wilson Airport, the drivers were welcomed in Mara by the Principal Secretary, Tourism, John Ololtuaa.

Ololtuaa: “I take this opportunity to welcome this advanced team to Kenya, particularly here in Mara, where we are about to experience the magical offer that Kenya has. We are working very closely with the Ministry of Sports, and as you also know, Hon. Ababu Namwamba was able to welcome these teams in Nairobi.”

Ololtuaa went on: “When we have a lot of sporting events going on in the country, you will be very sure that this is a very good opportunity to showcase what we have, to market the country, and also a very good opportunity to raise the economy of the country.” ”Our vision is to make Kenya an all-round destination; we want to shirk from this narrative of high and low seasons; we want to be able to see how we can project some of the good things we have,” Ololtuaa said.