Kerio Valley

Kerio Valley lies in Kenya's western highlands, an area offering several places to launch along the same escarpment. The west-facing side is the one to fly, since most days bring wind from the east, and the ridge here drops about 1,200 m from top to valley floor — enough height for a proper flight without needing thermals to work with. The easiest starting point sits near the Kerio View lodge, right at the edge of the escarpment. It's considered a welcoming site for newer pilots, with open terrain and enough space to make small mistakes without consequence, though the scale and consistent lift also draw more experienced pilots looking for longer flights along the ridge. Most flights land back close to where they started, near the launch itself, though the valley below gives room to range further when conditions allow. As with any remote highland site, weather can shift quickly, and it's worth checking current conditions locally rather than relying on a distant forecast before committing to launch.

Launch & conditions

The usual starting point is on the west-facing side of the escarpment, near the Kerio View lodge — open terrain with room for newer pilots to ease into the site.

Getting there & local rules

Fly into Nairobi, then take a domestic flight to Eldoret; from there it's about a 50 km taxi or matatu ride to the Kerio View area.

Check conditions before you fly

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