Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from Cape Town to Addis Ababa. The takeoff experience from Cape Town is visually superior—Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula are iconic, dramatic landmarks that dominate the early climb. While the landing into Addis Ababa offers highland scenery, the takeoff views are more striking and memorable.

During takeoff from Cape Town International (CPT), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left seats offer views of Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula as the aircraft climbs northward. The mountain dominates the landscape immediately west of the airport, and you'll see it rise dramatically during the initial climb-out. Notable sights include: Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula coastline, False Bay, Hottentots Holland Mountains.

When landing at Bole International (ADD), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right seats provide views of the Ethiopian highlands and the Addis Ababa plateau during descent. The terrain rises dramatically as you approach from the south, and you'll see the city nestled in the highlands with surrounding peaks visible. Notable sights include: Ethiopian Highlands plateau, Mount Entoto, Addis Ababa city sprawl, Awash River valley.

The flight from Cape Town International (CPT) to Bole International (ADD) takes Approximately 5 hours 15 minutes.

The flight path crosses the African continent northward. Notable features include the Drakensberg Mountains visible to the east during the first hour, the Limpopo River valley marking the South Africa-Botswana border, the Kalahari semi-arid landscape in central Botswana, the Zambezi River valley in Zambia (roughly 2.5 hours into flight), Lake Kariba visible to the east, the Miombo woodland savanna of central Africa, and the gradual rise into the Ethiopian Highlands as you approach Addis Ababa from the south. The Rift Valley becomes visible in the final approach phase.