F1 is coming to Africa, and Kenyans will have front-row access

Formula 1 has confirmed a 10-year deal to race in Rwanda. For Kenyan fans, the continent's first Grand Prix in over three decades will be a short, visa-free flight away.

Formula 1 is coming back to Africa, and this time it is almost next door.

On Tuesday in Kigali, Formula 1 and the Government of Rwanda announced a 10-year deal for a new race, officially titled the Formula 1 African Grand Prix, presented by Visit Rwanda. President Paul Kagame, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem attended the launch. Kagame called the partnership "long overdue."

The race will be held on a new circuit about 40km south of Kigali, next to the Bugesera International Airport, which is under construction. The first race could take place as early as 2030, depending on when the track is finished.

Africa's first Grand Prix since 1993

Africa last hosted Formula 1 in 1993, at Kyalami near Johannesburg. Since then, F1 has raced on every other inhabited continent. Fans, and drivers such as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, have spent years calling for a race in Africa.

Rwanda is the first new host nation to be confirmed since Qatar and Saudi Arabia joined the calendar in 2021. It beat competing projects in South Africa and Morocco.

Why Kenyans are among the best-placed fans in the world

Most F1 fans travel a long way to see a race. Kenyans will have a much easier trip than most.

●     No visa needed. Kenyans can travel to Rwanda without a visa, so there are no embassy queues or long application times.

●     A short flight. Nairobi to Kigali takes under two hours, with several flights a day.

●     A long weekend, not a long-haul trip. You could leave on Friday morning, watch qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday, and be home on Monday.

A trip to Silverstone, Abu Dhabi or Doha needs months of planning and a large budget. An African Grand Prix in Kigali will be within reach of many more Kenyan fans.

"I've stood in the grandstands at Silverstone, and I know how much it takes for a Kenyan fan to get there: the visa, the long flights, the cost. Having Formula 1 in Kigali changes everything. For the first time, Kenyan fans won't be watching Africa's biggest motorsport weekend from far away. We'll be just a short flight from the track, and that's something to celebrate." Kui Muriithi, Head of Marketing and Operations, ViuTravel

What a Kigali race weekend could look like

A Grand Prix weekend is more than the race. Around the world, F1 weekends come with concerts, fan zones, food festivals and parties across the host city. Kigali already hosts events of this kind. The Basketball Africa League holds its games at BK Arena, and the Giants of Africa Festival pairs basketball with big-name music acts.

For travellers, the race is also a chance to see the rest of Rwanda. Gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park, the canopy walk in Nyungwe Forest and the shores of Lake Kivu can all be added to a race weekend.

Don't wait until 2030

The track still has to be built, but you can visit Kigali now. Its event calendar already includes:

●     The Basketball Africa League (BAL), with games, playoffs and finals at BK Arena

●     The Kigali International Peace Marathon in June, with full, half and 10km races open to international runners

●     The Giants of Africa Festival, a week of basketball, culture and concerts

"The F1 announcement is a big moment, but Kigali is already one of the most exciting event cities in the region. Our advice to Kenyan fans is to start exploring Rwanda now. When the first race comes, you'll already know the city." Kui Muriithi, ViuTravel

ViuTravel is following the African Grand Prix closely and will share travel updates as plans develop. To be among the first to hear about race-weekend packages, and about event weekends in Kigali before then, follow ViuTravel on social media or visit https://viutravel.com/.