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JNB → UTT
Which side of the plane to sit from OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg) to K. D. Matanzima Airport (Umtata)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the majestic Maloti-Drakensberg escarpment and the high-altitude peaks along the Lesotho border, providing a more dramatic landscape than the eastern plains.
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Highveld Agriculture
The vast patchwork quilt of maize and sunflower fields characteristic of the South African interior plateau.
Maloti-Drakensberg Peaks
Stunning vistas of the basalt escarpment and the high-altitude 'Roof of Africa' along the Lesotho border.
Orange River Valleys
Deeply carved river valleys and drainage basins leading from the mountains toward the interior.
Langeni Pass
Dramatic cliffs and forested slopes as the aircraft begins its descent into the Mthatha basin.
The right side is unbeatable for mountain photography. Choose a late afternoon flight for warm, golden-hour lighting against the Drakensberg peaks. In winter, look for snow caps on the high Maloti mountains.
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East Rand Urban Sprawl
Immediate views of the industrial and residential heart of Gauteng including Boksburg and Benoni after takeoff.
Vaal Dam
A distant view of South Africa's second-largest dam by area, essential for the region's water supply.
Transkei Heartland
Scenic views of traditional Xhosa settlements with colorful rondavels dotting the emerald-green rolling hills.
N2 Corridor
The main highway artery of the Eastern Cape winding through the rugged terrain toward Mthatha.
Sit toward the back of the aircraft to avoid the wing blocking the view of the iconic rolling hills. This side is particularly beautiful in the morning when the sun illuminates the deep valleys of the Transkei.
Get eSIMs for South Africa
Get eSIMs for South AfricaDistance: 603 km (375 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr
Departure: JNB (-26.1392, 28.246)
Arrival: UTT (-31.5463631849, 28.6733551025)
Route Type: Domestic
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