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UTT → JNB
Which side of the plane to sit from K. D. Matanzima Airport (Umtata) to OR Tambo International Airport (Johannesburg)?
Left Side of the Plane
The left side offers superior views of the dramatic Drakensberg escarpment and the high-altitude peaks of the Lesotho border, providing a more rugged and varied landscape compared to the eastern plains.
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Southern Drakensberg
Dramatic views of the jagged mountain peaks forming the border between the Eastern Cape and Lesotho.
Lesotho Highlands
The high-altitude plateau of the 'Kingdom in the Sky' is visible shortly after reaching cruising altitude.
Vaal Dam
A massive reservoir that serves as the primary water source for the Gauteng province, recognizable by its sprawling blue surface.
Free State Plains
Vast stretches of golden maize and sunflower fields that characterize the South African Highveld.
Book an afternoon flight to have the sun behind you, illuminating the Drakensberg peaks with warm light. Watch for the transition from the rolling green hills of the Transkei to the flat, structured farmlands of the interior. Keep an eye out for the Sterkfontein Dam near Harrismith.
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Transkei Countryside
View the traditional scattered homesteads and vibrant rural life of the Eastern Cape immediately after takeoff.
Industrial Highveld
Witness the massive cooling towers of coal-fired power stations near Secunda as you approach the Gauteng border.
Gold Mine Dumps
The iconic yellow mine tailings and headgear of the Witwatersrand gold reef become visible during the descent.
Greater Johannesburg
Expansive views of the dense urban sprawl and suburban greenery of the East Rand during the final approach.
Morning flights are ideal for the right side to avoid the harsh glare of the western sun. This side is particularly interesting during the descent into JNB, as it often provides a better view of the heavy industrial and mining infrastructure that built the city.
Book Hotels in JohannesburgDistance: 603 km (375 miles)
Approximate Flight Time: 1 hr
Departure: UTT (-31.5463631849, 28.6733551025)
Arrival: JNB (-26.1392, 28.246)
Route Type: Domestic
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