Katelembo

Katelembo (locally called Machakos / Mua Hills) is a Kenyan launch about an hour from Nairobi — a small grassy patch in the middle of a banana plantation, maintained by the local farmer who charges around 500 KSH (as of 2014) for site use and to guard your car. The site is thermic thanks to its location and orientation, with real XC potential, but locals mostly use it for late-afternoon soaring — 4 pm was suggested as a good launch time. The most dangerous part of flying here is honestly the drive from and to Nairobi.

Launch & conditions

Small grassy patch in the middle of a banana plantation. Large tree immediately left of takeoff. The farmer maintains a manicured patch of grass — site fee (as of 2014, 500 KSH).

Getting there & local rules

From Nairobi take the Mombasa road. Turn left at the turning for Machakos. After 4.7 km look for a green building on your right with 'Suzie's Plaza' on it, then take the next immediate left onto a wide, well-maintained dirt road. Follow this road for 2 km, then at a fork turn right. Follow this track for 3 km (you'll see a bar on your left called the Bush Bar); just before it, take a sharp right turn.

Local rules & hazards

Site is thermic with XC potential — locals mostly fly late-afternoon soaring around 4 pm. Watch the wind, it can get quite strong. Pay the small site fee to the local farmer.

Check conditions before you fly

A forecast for the valley is not a forecast for the launch. Before heading to Katelembo, 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 Katelembo with a 7-day forecast built from high-resolution weather models, see who else has been flying, and get there with offline maps.