Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Kigali to London. The right side wins overall because the Kigali departure view of Rwanda's hill country is genuinely spectacular and unique, and during the long cruise the right side also picks up better views of the Nile valley in Sudan and parts of the Egyptian desert. The London approach is excellent on the left, but the takeoff scenery tips the balance to the right for the full journey.

During takeoff from Kigali International (KGL), sit on the Right side for the best views. Kigali airport sits on a ridge and departures heading northwest (runway 28) give the right side a clear view over the city's famous thousand hills terrain and Lake Muhazi to the northeast. The rolling green ridgelines of central Rwanda are genuinely striking from low altitude on this side. Notable sights include: Kigali city center on its ridge, Lake Muhazi to the northeast, the Nyabarongo River valley below, terraced hillsides of central Rwanda.

When landing at Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow's standard westerly approach on runway 27L/27R brings aircraft in from the east over central London, and the left side tracks directly over the Thames, the City of London, and the West End before crossing the M25. This is one of the most iconic urban approach views in aviation. Notable sights include: River Thames and its bends through central London, Wembley Stadium, Windsor Castle and Windsor Great Park, the M25 motorway arc.

The flight from Kigali International (KGL) to Heathrow (LHR) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The route tracks northwest over Uganda and Lake Victoria's northern shore, then follows the White Nile through South Sudan and Sudan with the river visible as a green corridor through desert, crosses the Sahara over Egypt and Libya, passes over the Mediterranean near the Libyan coast, then crosses the Alps or northern Italy depending on routing, over France, and descends into London from the southeast.