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"Nothing but breathing the air of Africa, and actually walking through it, can communicate the indescribable sensations" – William Burchell.
DURATION: 12 days
LEVEL: P2 and above - Light wind and high wind launch skills
BEGINS IN: Nairobi, Kenya
ENDS IN: Nairobi, Kenya
AIRPORT: Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
TRIP DATES: Feb 14th - 25th
PRICING: See below
TRIP INCLUDES:
DOES NOT INCLUDE: international airfare, gratuities, items of a personal nature, hotel before Feb 9th and after Feb 19th
Kenya, located in East Africa, is renowned for its diverse landscapes, rich culture, and abundant wildlife. From the volcanic cliffs of Lake Naivasha to the vast conservancy of Borana, and down to the emerald ridgelines of the Chyulu Hills, you will be fully immersed in all that is Kenya.
With over 40 ethnic groups, Kenya is a multicultural nation where Swahili and English are official languages. Throughout the journey, you’ll have opportunities to engage with local communities and gain insight into the country's rich cultural heritage.
Along our adventure, we are sure to take our time and see the "Big 5" of African animals. Whether we are on a game drive, or you are watching elephants below you as you soar the Kenyan glass off, we make sure you get a chance to see those bucket list animals with your own eyes.
We want our pilots to make the most of their time in Kenya. We have arranged 3 domestic charter flights between locations in order to stream line logistics and maximize you time exploring the country.
Our Kenya paragliding tour will connect you with the country like no other. Local guides will join us each day.
Arrival
Departure
Day 1: Nairobi - Settle into a new time zone on the former coffee farm belonging to the famous "Out of Africa" Blixen family. It sits on five acres of land with large hundred-year-old trees and beautiful gardens. It is a short walk to the Karen Blixen Museum, and it affords easy access to other beautiful parts of Nairobi.
Days 2-4: Chyulu Hills- We depart early and head south. Our camp in Chyulu is for three nights. Dome tents and bedrolls with comforting meals prepared by our capable team. Our accommodation's are simple yet comfortable for our first few days due to the remote location of our flying site.
The Chyulu Hills start where the Shetani Lava Flow meets the green rolling hills.
Ascending into the cloud forest which is home to endemic bird and plant species, we have a variety of takes off we can use, from drive sites to hike and fly adventures. On the last day we take a charter flight to Navisha to save ourselves a day of driving.
Days 5-8: Naivisha - Today we set off to the nearby Umani Springs Airstrip to catch a charter flight up through the Rift Valley to the shores of Lake Naivasha. Sanctuary Farm provides a blend of comfort and adventure. The eco-friendly retreat features farm-to-table dining with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a wholesome culinary experience. Within striking distance of multiple launches we stay flexible with the weather. Thermic flights to Mt Longonot, an inactive volcano, offer spectacular views of the rift valley.
Days 9-12: Borana Lodge- From Navisha, we take a private plane charter to the luxurious Borana Lodge. Nestled within a vast wildlife conservancy that is home to both Black and White Rhino, Borana offers a blend of adventure and tranquility. Here our pilots will get the opportunity to see the "Big 5" of Africa. The lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and cape buffalo. We have permission to fly on private property. After our days of paragliding, unwind in elegant cottages with spectacular views of Mount Kenya, the arid landscape to the north and ancient indigenous forests to the south.
Our tour is ideal for the non flying partner. We have dedicated guides and rangers to lead hikes, horseback rides, e-bike tours and game drives. We ensure that your non flying partner has a memorable experience in Kenya. Activities are based on location and will be communicated prior to the tour.
Yellow Fever is required if you have recently traveled to any of these countries deemed at risk by the WHO
The CDC and WHO also recommend the following
Kenya’s national currency is the Kenyan Shilling and although foreign currencies such as US Dollars are widely accepted. We’d recommend using local currency to pay for small items not in your itinerary. All major lodges will accept USD and credit cards for tipping and gift shop purchases.
We recommend getting an eSIM for Kenya.
Some if not most of the providers require a passport verification to do this. If you are having trouble getting this done online you can have it done before you exit the airport upon arrival to Nairobi.
You are also welcome to use your use cellular plan, please check with your network provider that Kenya is covered.
We require that every pilot bring a 2M radio with them, Yaesu or Icon preferred. Please do not show up with a Beaufang.
We are also requiring that every pilot have a Garmin Inreach, and that you run 2 minute tracking intervals while you are flying and until you are in a retrieve vehicle. You should switch to the "Unlimited" account plan for this month.
February can offer up some warm conditions in Kenya. Except temps on the ground to be in the mid 80's, occasionally warmer. Evenings can be cool as we will be staying as high at 5,000 ft. Mid to low 50's are common.
Flying temps will likely be in the low 50's, occasional high 40's.
As of January 2024, US citizens must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) online at least 72 hours before travel. The eTA costs $30 and applications are usually processed within three days, but it can take longer. We recommend applying for an eTA two weeks before travel, and applications can be submitted up to three months in advance.
https://immigration.ecitizen.go.ke.
The E-Visa Portal is mobile enabled and one can complete the application from a mobile phone – including taking and uploading a
Convergence Paragliding is dedicated to giving back to the community in Kenya by partnering with local operators and lodges that support conservation efforts.
By choosing accommodations on the Borana Conservancy, they ensure that tourism revenue directly benefits local conservation areas and initiatives.
This collaboration not only promotes sustainable tourism but also helps preserve Kenya's unique landscapes and wildlife.
Additionally, Convergence Paragliding engages with community projects, fostering local economic growth and environmental stewardship in the regions we explore.
Borana is located on the northern slopes of Mt Kenya. This 28,000-acre protected area is home to both Black and White Rhino and a wide variety of other endangered species. Borana is a protected area management entity committed to the sustainable conservation and regeneration of wildlife, and rangelands and building local livelihoods.
Kenya
USA
PRICING:
1 - 3 guests: $22, 000 (per pilot)
4 - 9 guests: $15,000 (per pilot)
Minimum of 3 to confirm. Non flying partners pay the same rate as they have dedicated rangers and guides. Maximum of 9 total guests allowed
DEPOSIT:
$3,000 (per pilot, non refundable)
Superlatives are not adequate to communicate how good the guiding is by Convergence Paragliding. Sure, you are going to fly, and you are going to fly in places where not many have flown before. And, you are going to have the opportunity to learn from some of the best pilots on the planet. But, focusing on the flying aspect of the adventure is just scratching the surface of the Convergence experience. You will see things that you have never seen before, talk and relate to people who you would not have met any other way. I have been flying all over the world for more than 20 years, and I can assure you that there is nothing like a Convergence experience. Anywhere. I have used Convergence several times, I will continue to do so, and highly recommend them.
Why have I chosen to do multiple tours with Convergence Paragliding? Convergence offers tours which combine paragliding, connections with local pilots, and opportunities to explore these interesting places when not paragliding. Your experiences create a deep connection with the area as well as memories of a lifetime. Some of my favorite memories include site pioneering Mt Orcha in Kenya and being the first woman to ever fly that site; flying over zebras to land in Kenya, landing at the Plaza de la Revolución in Santiago de Cuba to the joy of the unsuspecting passers by; flying over the ruins of a castle in Morocco; and landing next to Lake Orhrid in Macedonia. Whether you are a paraglider or the partner of a paraglider, these trips have something for everyone. I’ve met some of the most interesting people on Convergence tours, while reconnected with friends on others. The company gives back to the local community on each tour, which makes me feel good about my paragliding tourism habit.
I've been doing a couple of paragliding tours a year for the past few years and have loved every Convergence experience. I've joined Chris and his excellent team of guides on trips to Macedonia and Kenya. Both very unique and highly recommended. Chris focuses on not just epic paragliding, but on ensuring guests experience the local culture. Kenya was an amazing experience allowing us to visit local tribes, amazing safari for three days with paragliding in the evening, three days with helicopter drop and retrieve, .... An experience of a lifetime. He is also focused on ensuring the host country and host pilots benefit from the tours. Every aspect of Chris' tours are dialed: welcome packet, local SIM cards when needed, excellent coaching and feedback, etc. There are plenty of lower cost options, but Convergence trips are worth every dollar.
Tour Reservation: Early reservations are recommended as space is limited to 6 pilots per tour. While it may be possible to join a trip on short notice, we recommend that you sign up at least four to six months in advance.
Payment: Please inquire for pricing and terms.
Cancelation: Please inquire for terms.
It is at the sole discretion of Convergence Paragliding to determine what/who constitutes a suitable replacement.
Insurance: We strongly recommend that you protect yourself and your equipment through the purchase of a short-term travelers' insurance policy, covering baggage, accident/life and trip cancellation. Baggage is carried entirely at owner's risk, and Convergence Paragliding accepts no responsibility whatsoever for loss, damage, or delayed property. Convergence Paragliding assumes no liability regarding provisions of medical care. Participants should realize that hospital facilities for serious problems may be remote and evacuation prolonged and expensive. Participants are urged to check their medical coverage to be sure it is adequate. Participants are responsible for researching the terms of their insurance coverage.
We recommend giving this article a read when determining which insurance to go for: https://www.cloudbasemayhem.com/unscrambling-insurance-are-you-covered/
For specific insurance requirements please visit our Cuba FAQ page.
Limitation of Liability: These paragraphs define our responsibility with respect to all of our trips. Please read carefully.
Payment of deposit represents an acceptance by the tour member of these terms and conditions.
Convergence Paragliding, and its owners, agents and employees give notice that services provided in connection with its itineraries, including transportation, hotel accommodations, restaurants, and other services, are purchased from various independent suppliers who are not affiliated with Convergence Paragliding. Although it endeavors to choose the best suppliers possible, Convergence Paragliding has no right to control their operations and therefore makes these travel arrangements upon the express condition that Convergence Paragliding and its own agents and employees shall not be liable for any delay, expense, mishap, inconvenience, bodily injury or death to person, or damage to property occasioned through the conduct or default of any company or individual engaged in providing these services. Each of these passenger conveyance companies, hotels, tour companies, restaurants, etc. is subject to the laws of the state or country where the service is provided.
Convergence Paragliding shall not be liable for bodily injury or property damage for any reason, including but not limited to acts of God, detention, annoyance, delays and expenses arising from quarantine, strikes, thefts, pilferage, force majeure, failure of any means of conveyance to arrive or depart as scheduled, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulation, discrepancies or change in transit over which it has no control.
Convergence Paragliding reserves the right to substitute hotels and leaders and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary or advisable.
Convergence Paragliding reserves the right to take photographic or film records of any of our trips and may use any such records for promotional and/or commercial purposes.
Convergence Paragliding reserves the right to decline to accept or restrain from further participation any person whose actions or deportment impede trip operations or rights, welfare or enjoyment of other trip members. A refund based on cost of unused land services is the limit of Convergence Paragliding’s responsibility.
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