Have you ever dreamed of flying above our little island? Hans Joachim will give you the wings to fly. A former caterer, he set up a sports business in January 2018. Paragliding Mauritius offers introductory paragliding flights, paragliding and kitesurfing lessons, and equipment rental. Guided nature discovery trips are also available and two of his most popular walks are great ways to see the Moka region in a new light.

Paragliding is derived from parachuting and is a free-flight activity that uses a paraglider, which consists of a wing connected to the pilot by a harness via lines, risers and carabineers. There are six departure points across the island with two options, Le Pouce Mountain and Montagne Longue, allowing you to fly above the Moka region. Hans offers both tandem flights for beginners and solo flights for more proficient pilots. Flight duration is approximately 20 to 30 minutes but can be extended on request.

Two options to discover Moka

The departure point at Montagne Longue is the most popular among those offered by Paragliding Mauritius, especially due to its easy access within 10 minutes’ walk. This beautiful aerial ride covers 5 km up to the fabulous Pieter Both Mountain. The landing point is always predetermined, close to where you parked your car.

For those of you who are challenge-driven, the flight departing from Le Pouce Mountain is a sportive experience which also includes hiking for about one hour to reach the summit. It is therefore more suitable for hikers who want to add a little extra to their adventure. You can take various directions from Le Pouce Mountain, including Pieter Both Mountain, Montagne Ory or even Port Louis. The flight towards the capital is a thrilling but difficult one, and you will land at Champ de Mars. It is therefore recommended for the most experienced pilots!

 

A little bit of jargon

Paragliders are not engine-driven and rely on a combination of wind and solar updrafts. Soaring flights allow the pilot to literally ‘surf’ the wind that moves with the landscape (hills, mountains, etc.) and is forced to rise upwards to avoid landmasses.

Thermal flying is a must if you want to move away from rising terrain and travel long distances as it uses updrafts caused by the warming of the land. “The development of our ability to identify these rising, warmer and therefore lighter air bubbles allows us to paraglide across the island – from North to South and from East to West,” says Hans.

It should be mentioned that it is quite difficult to set a specific date well in advance for such flights. “Paragliders are beautiful, small and handy aircraft but due to their ease of use, they are highly sensitive to weather conditions,” adds Hans. Only one out of three days is actually flyable in Mauritius and it is not until the last minute that Hans will be able to confirm your flight. The good news is that he is available almost every single day of the year! One last piece of advice: “Remember to wear a good pair of shoes and a windproof jacket if you are sensitive to the cold. And always have a plan B in case your flight is cancelled!”

For information and bookings, visit Paragliding Mauritius