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DUR β HRE
Which side of the plane to sit from King Shaka International Airport (Durban) to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport (Harare)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side is superior for its combination of coastal departure views, the vastness of the Lowveld, and clear perspectives of the Limpopo River crossing.
Umhlanga Coastline
A stunning aerial view of the Durban north coast and luxury beachfront developments immediately after takeoff.
Zululand Reserves
Fly over the rolling hills and private game reserves of the northern KwaZulu-Natal region.
Greater Kruger Views
Aerial perspective of the vast savanna ecosystem stretching toward the Mozambican border.
Limpopo River
The winding green ribbon of water that serves as the natural border between South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Harare Approaches
Views of the sprawling suburbs and the jacaranda-lined streets of the Zimbabwean capital during final descent.
The right side is best for morning flights to avoid the harsh glare of the western sun. During the dry season (May to September), the lack of cloud cover provides exceptional views of the Limpopo Valley and the diverse geological formations of southern Zimbabwe.
Drakensberg Escarpment
Distant views of the basalt peaks that form the great wall between the coast and the interior plateau.
Pretoria Skyline
On clear days, the urban layout of South Africa's administrative capital is visible in the distance.
Highveld Farmlands
A patchwork of industrial agriculture and mining operations across the Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces.
Matobo Foothills
As you descend into Harare, the granite outcrops and balancing rocks of the southern plateau begin to appear.
Choose this side for late afternoon flights to witness the spectacular African sunset over the inland horizon. Keep a lookout for the red earth of the northern provinces which contrasts sharply with the green valleys of KwaZulu-Natal.
Distance: 1,299 km (807 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 44 min
Departure: DUR (-29.6144444444, 31.119722222199997)
Arrival: HRE (-17.931801, 31.0928)
Route Type: International
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