About This Route
Which side of the plane should I sit on flying from Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) to Lamu Manda (LAU)?
Sit on the Right side of the plane for the best views on flights from Nairobi to Lamu. While the landing approach favors the left, the takeoff climb provides more sustained and dramatic scenery with the Rift Valley escarpment and Aberdare Range. Right-side seats capture the most visually distinctive terrain during the longer initial phase of the flight.
What can I see during takeoff from Jomo Kenyatta International in Nairobi?
During takeoff from Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO), sit on the Right side for the best views. Right-side seats capture the eastern escarpment of the Rift Valley and the Aberdare Range as the aircraft climbs northeast from Nairobi. The flight path from NBO heads generally northeast toward the coast, making the right side optimal for viewing these elevated terrain features during the initial climb. Notable sights include: Aberdare Range (north), Great Rift Valley escarpment (east), Nairobi city sprawl (directly below during initial climb), Mount Kenya (distant northeast on clear days).
What can I see when landing at Lamu Manda in Lamu?
When landing at Lamu Manda (LAU), sit on the Left side for the best views. Left-side seats provide views of the Indian Ocean coastline, Lamu Archipelago, and the approach to Manda Island as the aircraft descends from the west. The landing approach to LAU comes from the inland side, making the left (eastern/seaward) side the scenic advantage for viewing the coastal landscape and islands. Notable sights include: Indian Ocean (east), Lamu Archipelago including Lamu Island and Pate Island (northeast), Manda Island airfield (landing site), mangrove creeks and tidal flats (surrounding islands).
How long is the flight from Nairobi to Lamu?
The flight from Jomo Kenyatta International (NBO) to Lamu Manda (LAU) takes Approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
What does the Nairobi to Lamu flight path pass over?
The flight path crosses from the Rift Valley highlands over the Tana River basin and coastal plains. Notable features include the Tana River (visible as a brown ribbon in the midpoint, running southeast toward the coast), the transition from highland forest to acacia woodland and then to coastal vegetation, and scattered towns including Garissa (inland) and Malindi (coastal). The terrain progressively flattens from west to east, with elevation dropping from 5,900 ft at Nairobi to sea level at Lamu.