Gangan Kiria

Gangan Kiria is a wild little site above Kindia in Guinea, west Africa — a hill you climb 300 m from town for one of the least-flown launches on the continent. Prevailing wind blows from the NE in the morning and lightens and veers as the sun swings round; early morning to about 3 pm gives the best launch conditions, after which the thermal gusts you need to launch weaken. Afternoon heating of the west-facing slopes may counter the NE meteo wind — watching birds of prey soaring on the west faces is the best clue to a late-afternoon launch. Bring at least two litres of water — it is very hot, especially after climbing.

Launch & conditions

On the right going up, just before the top farmed land — where the birds of prey like to soar. The site may have been disused for a while; a local with a machete can usually make it flyable again for a very small fee.

Getting there & local rules

3 km walk from Kindia city centre, or take a motorbike a bit closer in. 300 m vertical climb. Water available in the village near takeoff. Landings: many options — 50 m from the village at the top; several ledges on the way down; many open spaces at the base of the hill.

Local rules & hazards

The site sits opposite the local military camp, with a sniper range about 1.5 km SSE of takeoff (marked by white deposits on the lower slopes). Before flying, introduce yourself to the highest commander at the local (unmarked) camp — military personnel will ask to see your ID. Coordinate with the local gendarmerie and military leadership. Nobody had seen a paraglider before, so expect attention. Dry season November to April — has only rained once in living memory in February. In February the wind can blow strongly from any direction; increased wind noise at dawn is the warning sign.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Gangan Kiria, read the wind and thermals for the site itself, confirm the day's rules with the local club, and remember the standing rule — when in doubt, don't launch. In the free OutDare app you can open Gangan Kiria with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.