The right side wins overall thanks to the extraordinary close-up view of snow-capped Kilimanjaro right at departure, a landmark rare enough to outweigh the left side's steadier but less dramatic cruise scenery over the Kenyan Rift Valley and Ethiopian highlands.
Flight Path
The route crosses southern Kenya's Rift Valley near Amboseli and Nairobi, passes west of Mount Kenya, skirts the shores of Lake Turkana, and continues over the Omo Valley and southern Ethiopian Rift lakes (Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo) before reaching the Ethiopian highlands near Addis Ababa.
Great circle distance and headings ›Phase by phase
Takeoff from JRO
RIGHTJRO sits almost in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, which lies northeast of the field. As the aircraft climbs out and turns north toward Addis, the snow-capped Kibo summit and the jagged Mawenzi peak dominate the right-side view, a rare and genuinely spectacular sight at cruise-climb altitude.
Landing at ADD
LEFTOn final approach into Addis Ababa's runway 07, the aircraft tracks northeast, putting the city's northern hills on the left side of the cabin. Passengers see the forested Entoto Mountains rising above the sprawling highland capital just before touchdown, a scenic contrast to the flatter terrain on the right.
Landmarks on this routeAll landmarks →
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About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Kilimanjaro International (JRO) to Bole International (ADD)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Kilimanjaro to Addis Ababa. The right side wins overall thanks to the extraordinary close-up view of snow-capped Kilimanjaro right at departure, a landmark rare enough to outweigh the left side's steadier but less dramatic cruise scenery over the Kenyan Rift Valley and Ethiopian highlands.
What can I see during takeoff from Kilimanjaro International in Kilimanjaro?
During takeoff from Kilimanjaro International (JRO), sit on the Right side for the best views. JRO sits almost in the shadow of Kilimanjaro, which lies northeast of the field. As the aircraft climbs out and turns north toward Addis, the snow-capped Kibo summit and the jagged Mawenzi peak dominate the right-side view, a rare and genuinely spectacular sight at cruise-climb altitude. Notable sights include: Mount Kilimanjaro (Kibo summit), Mawenzi peak, Amboseli-Tsavo savanna plains, Lake Chala crater lake.
What can I see when landing at Bole International in Addis Ababa?
When landing at Bole International (ADD), sit on the Left side for the best views. On final approach into Addis Ababa's runway 07, the aircraft tracks northeast, putting the city's northern hills on the left side of the cabin. Passengers see the forested Entoto Mountains rising above the sprawling highland capital just before touchdown, a scenic contrast to the flatter terrain on the right. Notable sights include: Entoto Mountains, Addis Ababa cityscape, Ethiopian highland escarpment, Akaki River valley.
How long is the flight from Kilimanjaro to Addis Ababa?
The flight from Kilimanjaro International (JRO) to Bole International (ADD) takes 2h15m.
What does the Kilimanjaro to Addis Ababa flight path pass over?
The route crosses southern Kenya's Rift Valley near Amboseli and Nairobi, passes west of Mount Kenya, skirts the shores of Lake Turkana, and continues over the Omo Valley and southern Ethiopian Rift lakes (Lake Abaya and Lake Chamo) before reaching the Ethiopian highlands near Addis Ababa.