Photo: Emilfarb at English Wikipedia · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
A vast semi-arid savanna spanning 900,000 sq km across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The red sand and dry river beds contrast with seasonal green vegetation on flights across southern Africa.
40Flight Routes
15 kmClosest Pass
🏜️ DesertType
Routes that pass it40
ATL → JNB
Right
JNB → ATL
Left
ATL → GCJ
Right
GCJ → ATL
Left
CPT → MUB
Left
MUB → CPT
Right
CPT → HNL
Left
HNL → CPT
Right
JNB → PER
Right
PER → JNB
Left
ADD → MUB
Left
HLA → PER
Right
MUB → ADD
Right
PER → HLA
Left
JNB → WDH
Right
WDH → JNB
Left
ERS → JNB
Left
JNB → ERS
Right
DUR → JFK
Right
JFK → DUR
Left
IAD → JNB
Right
JNB → IAD
Left
IAD → HLA
Right
ELS → MAD
Left
MAD → ELS
Right
EWR → HLA
Right
EWR → JNB
Right
HLA → EWR
Left
JFK → JNB
Right
JNB → EWR
Left
JNB → JFK
Left
CPT → LVI
Left
LVI → CPT
Right
HLE → JNB
Left
CPT → VFA
Left
VFA → CPT
Right
CPT → SAW
Right
SAW → CPT
Left
CPT → IST
Right
IST → CPT
Left
Tip: Visibility depends on cloud cover, time of day, and how close the flight path comes. Sit on the listed side for the best chance of a view. Morning and evening flights often offer the best lighting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you see Kalahari Desert from a plane?
Yes — 40 flight routes pass within 200 km of Kalahari Desert. The closest routes include Atlanta to Johannesburg, Johannesburg to Atlanta, Atlanta to Johannesburg. Sit on the Right side, with the landmark passing about 15 km away.
Which side of the plane is best for viewing Kalahari Desert?
The best side varies by route. For the most common routes near Kalahari Desert: on a Atlanta to Johannesburg flight, sit on the Right side; on a Johannesburg to Atlanta flight, sit on the Left side; on a Atlanta to Johannesburg flight, sit on the Right side.