Sit on the Left side of the plane for the best views on flights from London to Kilimanjaro. Left side wins both the departure over London and the arrival with the Kilimanjaro view. During the cruise over the Nile Valley and East African Rift, left side also tends to face east giving better light angles in the afternoon, though at 35,000 feet the distinction matters less. The Kilimanjaro approach view alone makes left the clear overall choice.

During takeoff from Heathrow (LHR), sit on the Left side for the best views. Heathrow departures on the eastbound runway 27R/09L heading east take you over central London. Left side gives you the Thames snaking through the city, with the City of London skyline and Canary Wharf clearly visible as you climb through 3,000-8,000 feet. Right side gets suburban west London and not much else. Notable sights include: River Thames bends through central London, Canary Wharf cluster, City of London skyline, Windsor Castle and Great Park (briefly, before turning east).

When landing at Kilimanjaro International (JRO), sit on the Left side for the best views. Kilimanjaro International sits south of Mount Kilimanjaro, and aircraft typically approach from the south or east on runway 27. On left side during approach, you get a direct broadside view of Kilimanjaro's Kibo summit and the Shira and Mawenzi peaks as you descend. Right side faces away toward lower terrain and the Tsavo plains. Notable sights include: Mount Kilimanjaro (Kibo summit with ice cap), Mawenzi peak, Mount Meru to the southwest, Amboseli plains.

The flight from Heathrow (LHR) to Kilimanjaro International (JRO) takes Approximately 9 to 10 hours.

The route tracks southeast over France and the Mediterranean, then across Egypt where the Nile Delta and the river corridor are visible in clear conditions. Over Sudan the Nile Valley remains a visible green ribbon through desert. The flight crosses the Ethiopian Highlands — a broad elevated plateau visible as wrinkled terrain — before descending toward the East African Rift Valley and the flat Kenyan savanna approaching Tanzania.