The 2025 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally once again proved why it is one of Africa’s most cherished motorsport events, serving up a weekend brimming with raw emotion, human ingenuity and the high-octane rivalry that defines the FIA African Rally Championship. This year’s edition, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Bugesera in Rwanda’s Eastern Province, carved out new legends, reaffirmed the essence of resilience and brought African motorsport enthusiasts to the edge of their seats.
Samman Vohra rises above adversity for a landmark win
This year, Kenya’s Samman Vohra, navigated by the experienced Briton Drew Sturrock, etched his name into the Gorilla Rally history books. Behind the wheel of a Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, the reigning Kenya champion clinched his maiden international win, overcoming not just the cutthroat competition but the ghosts of recent heartbreak. Just months earlier, Samman’s rally in Uganda ended in despair when a broken control arm forced him out while leading, making this Rwandan victory even sweeter.
The turning point arrived early. Defending champion Karan Patel, the dominant force over the past three years, crashed out during the SS3 Nemba1 stage and did not restart under Super Rally rules. Without his principal rival, Samman kept his nerve, attacking each stage with calculated aggression, ultimately sealing victory with a dominant display on the Power Stage, the 15.3 km SS15 Ruhuha 2 test, and capturing extra championship points along the way.
Nikhil Sachania’s historic charge inspires Africa
If Samman’s story this year was about athletic redemption, then Nikhil Sachania’s journey is one of transcendence and hope. The Kenyan paraplegic rally driver delivered a performance that transcended mere statistics, finishing second overall and capturing back-to-back ARC3 category wins in his Ford Fiesta Rally3. For Sachania, every result is measured against a personal narrative of overcoming adversity.
Sachania’s reflections on the result provide a window into his drive. “It puts us in real contention for the overall ARC Championship, which is incredibly exciting,” he remarked in the afterglow of his success. Having launched 2025 with a landmark WRC3 win at the Safari Rally Kenya, his Rwanda result vaulted him into a fierce title battle with Ugandan Yasin Nasser and Kenya’s own Samman Vohra. His mantra remains consistent: every rally is an opportunity to inspire others and push the boundaries of what’s possible.
The true cost of glory – resilience, teamwork and family
But the story is never just about pace. For Sachania, the Rwandan rally was a severe test, marked by treacherous gravel, unpredictable weather, and energy-sapping altitude. After the finish, he paid tribute to his sponsors, BPR Bank, KCB Bank, and Kenya Airways, and summed up his ethos: “As a paraplegic driver, every rally is a reminder that disability is not inability, and I hope my performance inspires others to keep pushing their limits.” These are not empty words – Sachania’s autobahn to the summit of African motorsport stands as a powerful lesson in the sport’s inclusiveness.
- this is how it’s done – Samman Vohra controlled the rally after Karan Patel crashed,
- this is how it’s done squared – Nikhil Sachania finished second, and Prince Charles Nyerere from Tanzania rounded out the podium,
- this is how it’s done cubed – Yasin Nasser of Uganda finished fourth, leapfrogging to the top of the ARC standings with this result.
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ARC championship race tightens with every kilometer
With only two events left on the 2025 ARC calendar, the Mountain Gorilla Rally has set up a thrilling finale. The current standings place Uganda’s Yasin Nasser at the summit with 86 points, chased hard by Sachania (77 points) and Vohra (71 points). Karan Patel, after his Rwandan misfortune, sits further back at 35 points but remains a figure capable of fireworks, should fate swing his way in Burundi or Tanzania.
Sachania’s words encapsulate the championship’s electric unpredictability: “Consistency and determination can take us far, and we’re ready to keep pushing for the top.” His battle, as much against the clock as against limitations, ensures the final two rounds will be rich with drama.
Dreams, setbacks and community: the Gatimu mother-daughter legacy
No account of Rwanda 2025 can be complete without spotlighting the emotional journey of Kenya’s Tinashe and Carol Gatimu. The mother-daughter duo, sponsored by Kenya Airways, arrived with high hopes and abundant courage, keen to become the first Kenyan pair to finish an international rally outside their home nation. Their rally in a Subaru Impreza was defined by grit and camaraderie, reaching third in the National Category before a fuel tank failure struck.
Help came quickly from Rwanda’s Team Simba 600B, whose generosity echoed the community spirit at the heart of rallying. Although the Gatimus rejoined the race under Super Rally rules, an engine overheating issue ended their campaign on Sunday’s third stage. Their experience, as Tinashe put it, was about resilience, learning, and shared passion: “We leave Rwanda with heads held high and hearts full of gratitude – already looking forward to the next chapter.”
National heroes and the spirit of the Mountain Gorilla Rally
Amidst the international drama, local legend Giancarlo Davite, aged 62, reminded the community of his enduring prowess by winning the National Category for Rwanda, a nod to the event’s rich heritage and local pride. Davite, winner here in 2013 and 2018, remains the embodiment of Rwandan motorsport’s staying power.
2025 Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally results
- Samman Vohra (Kenya), Drew Sturrock (GB) – Škoda Fabia Rally2 evo, 1:48.59.1
- Nikhil Sachania (Kenya), Deep Patel (Kenya) – Ford Fiesta Rally3, 2:03.39.7
- Prince Charles Nyerere (Tanzania) – Mitsubishi Lancer, 2:16.36.7
- Yasin Nasser (Uganda), Ali Katumba (Uganda) – Ford Fiesta Rally2, 2:38.58.0.
Looking ahead: Burundi and Tanzania beckon
The ARC now heads to the border stages of Burundi in August before closing in September among the forests and escarpments of Tanzania. As Samman Vohra savors his maiden victory and Nikhil Sachania increases the tempo of his title campaign, the 2025 African Rally Championship is living up to its billing as a battle shaped by spirit, skill and the stories that capture the heart of sport.
In Rwanda, motorsport proved not just who was fastest but who had the heart to finish and the vision to inspire.
