Run in mid-April in central Kenya, the Safari was a markedly different rally from the other dates on the WRC schedule.

About 5,300 km (3,300 mi) of gravel roads comprised the course, though there were not distinct special stages as in other rallies, but instead the course was uncontrolled.

The rally was won by a local driver, Shekhar Mehta.

In 1973, and for several years afterward, only manufacturers were given points for finishes in WRC events.

Additionally, cars were not broken into separate groups or classes as in other rallies, so only overall results were classified.