Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Amsterdam to Kigali. The left side wins overall because the Virunga volcano views on approach to Kigali are genuinely spectacular and rare, and the left side also captures the Mediterranean coastline and parts of the Nile Valley during the cruise portion of the flight. The right side at Schiphol departure is good but the Dutch landscape is relatively uniform.

During takeoff from Schiphol (AMS), sit on the Right side for the best views. Schiphol typically departs southbound or eastbound on runways 18R/36L or 06/24. A southeasterly departure puts the city of Amsterdam and the IJ waterway on the right side, along with the patchwork of Dutch polders and greenhouse complexes around Westland. The right side also catches the Amstel River threading south through the flat landscape. Notable sights include: Amsterdam city center and IJ waterway, Dutch polder grid and canal network, greenhouse complexes south of the city, Amstel River corridor heading southeast.

When landing at Kigali International (KGL), sit on the Left side for the best views. Kigali International typically lands on runway 28, approaching from the east over hilly terrain. The left side on approach gives a clear view of Kigali's densely built hillside neighborhoods cascading down toward the valley, and Lake Muhazi is visible to the northeast. The volcanic Virunga mountains including Karisimbi and Bisoke appear on the distant left horizon to the northwest. Notable sights include: Kigali hillside districts and valley bowl, Virunga volcanic peaks on the northwestern horizon, Lake Muhazi to the northeast, Nyabarongo River valley below.

The flight from Schiphol (AMS) to Kigali International (KGL) takes Approximately 8 hours 30 minutes to 9 hours.

The route tracks southeast over Germany and Austria, then across the Adriatic or Italian peninsula, over the Mediterranean, then Egypt and the Nile Delta and Nile Valley are visible — one of the most dramatic contrasts from altitude, the green Nile ribbon against the Sahara. The route then crosses Sudan's flat desert terrain, then into South Sudan and Uganda's equatorial green landscape before descending into Rwanda's hill country.