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CPT → HDS
Which side of the plane to sit from Cape Town International Airport (Cape Town) to Hoedspruit Air Force Base Airport (Hoedspruit)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers the most dramatic transition from the Cape's iconic peaks to the sheer cliffs of the Drakensberg escarpment during the descent into the Lowveld.
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Table Mountain
Dramatic views of the Cape Peninsula and the iconic flat-topped mountain immediately after takeoff.
Boland Mountains
Rugged sandstone ranges and deep valleys of the Cape Fold Belt, including the Hex River Mountains.
Great Karoo
The vast, semi-arid interior of South Africa featuring ancient dolerite dikes and flat-topped koppies.
Drakensberg Escarpment
A spectacular geological 'wall' where the high interior plateau drops sharply into the Lowveld.
Blyde River Canyon
Potential glimpses of the lush, deep canyon and the Three Rondavels during the approach to Hoedspruit.
Sit on the left for the best view of the escarpment wall during the final 20 minutes of the flight. Morning flights (09:00–11:00) provide excellent front-lighting on the Drakensberg mountains. Avoid seats directly over the wing to ensure an unobstructed view of the steep terrain drop-off.
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False Bay
Aerial views of the coastline stretching from Muizenberg to the Kogelberg Biosphere.
Hottentots Holland
Impressive views of the mountain ranges separating the Cape Metropole from the Overberg.
Gariep Dam
If the flight path is slightly easterly, you may see South Africa's largest reservoir on the Orange River.
Highveld Grasslands
The golden agricultural heartland and rolling plains as you pass over the Free State and Gauteng borders.
Kruger Edge
Spot the change in vegetation to thick bushveld and scanning for wildlife on private reserves during landing.
The right side is excellent for early-morning lighting on the Cape mountains. On arrival, it offers a broader perspective of the sprawling bushveld toward the Kruger National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the Olifants River winding through the landscape during the descent.
Book Hotels in HoedspruitDistance: 1,610 km (1,000 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 2 hrs 9 min
Departure: CPT (-33.9648017883, 18.6016998291)
Arrival: HDS (-24.3686008453, 31.048700332600003)
Route Type: Domestic
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