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LUN β CIP
Which side of the plane to sit from Kenneth Kaunda International Airport Lusaka (Lusaka) to Chipata Airport (Chipata)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers a premier view of the Luangwa River's dramatic meanders and the northern stretches of the world-renowned South Luangwa National Park.
Lusaka Outskirts
Aerial views of the expanding residential and agricultural developments east of the capital city.
Muchinga Escarpment
The sharp topographical transition where the Zambian plateau drops into the deep Luangwa Valley.
Luangwa River Meanders
Stunning views of the river's high-sinuosity loops and wide sandy banks characteristic of this valley.
South Luangwa National Park
The northern reaches of the park where wildlife tracks and riverine forests are visible from low altitudes.
Oxbow Lakes
Numerous crescent-shaped lagoons formed by the shifting path of the river over centuries.
Sit on the left (usually Seat A) for morning flights to have the sun behind you. This side provides the best view of the river's famous bends during the descent. The views are most spectacular in the dry season (August to October) when the water levels are low and the riverbed is exposed.
Zambian Plateau
Large-scale commercial farming blocks and traditional settlements stretching toward the southern horizon.
Lower Luangwa Basin
Rugged and hilly wilderness areas that form the southern buffer zones of the Luangwa river system.
Mozambique Border
The flight path runs parallel to the international border, offering views of the remote hills shared by both nations.
Chipata Hills
The rocky granite outcrops and rolling hills that define the approach into Chipata's high-altitude airstrip.
Seat on the right (usually Seat F or K) is preferable for afternoon flights to avoid the direct glare of the sun. It offers a broader perspective of the plateau's topography and the mountainous terrain along the border with Mozambique as you approach the Eastern Province.
Distance: 487 km (303 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 49 min
Departure: LUN (-15.3308000565, 28.4526004791)
Arrival: CIP (-13.558300018310549, 32.58720016479492)
Route Type: Domestic
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