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NBO → KGL
Which side of the plane to sit from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (Nairobi) to Kigali International Airport (Kigali)?
Right Side of the Plane
The right side offers superior views of the Great Rift Valley lakes, including Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru, and provides a chance to see Mount Kenya and the Virunga volcanoes.
Mount Kenya
On clear days, the jagged, snow-dusted peaks of Africa's second-highest mountain are visible to the north.
Lake Naivasha
A beautiful freshwater lake in the Rift Valley, surrounded by dense yellow-fever acacia forests.
Mau Forest Complex
Look down at one of the largest water towers in East Africa, featuring dense indigenous canopy.
Kisumu City
Aerial view of the lakeside city and the bustling port area of Winam Gulf.
Virunga Mountains
The dramatic silhouettes of the volcanoes on the Rwanda-Uganda-DRC border appear during the descent.
Rwandan Tea Plantations
Bright green, neatly manicured tea estates covering the hillsides as you approach Kigali.
The right side is ideal for capturing the variety of the Rift Valley lakes. Morning flights are best for seeing Mount Kenya before clouds form. During descent, keep your eyes peeled for the towering peaks of the Virunga range in the distance to the northwest.
Nairobi National Park
Immediate views of the park's plains and wildlife just south of the runway upon takeoff.
Suswa Volcano
A massive shield volcano with a unique double crater structure visible as you cross the Rift Valley.
Masai Mara Reserves
Distant views of the iconic golden savannahs and the winding Mara River to the south.
Southern Lake Victoria
Vast turquoise waters and the remote islands scattered across the southern Kenyan and Tanzanian waters.
Akagera National Park
As the plane descends into Kigali, look for the complex system of lakes and papyrus swamps near the border.
Kigali Hills
The 'Land of a Thousand Hills' reveals its terraced agriculture and rolling topography on final approach.
Sit on the left for early morning flights to have the sun at your back, providing excellent lighting for photos of the Mara and Akagera. This side is also better for spotting the Nairobi National Park wildlife immediately after departure from NBO.
Distance: 758 km (471 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr 16 min
Departure: NBO (-1.31923997402, 36.9277992249)
Arrival: KGL (-1.96863, 30.1395)
Route Type: International
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