The Top 10 Highest Mountains in Africa

The Top 10 Highest Mountains in Africa. The highest peaks on the African continent, including Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, Mount Stanley, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo, Mount Speke, Uganda, Mount Baker, Uganda, Mount Emin, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mount Gessi, Uganda, Mount Meru, Tanzania, Ras Dashen, Ethiopia, Mount Karisimbi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda.

The variety of Africa’s landscapes is famous, ranging from the sun-drenched Serengeti plains to the white-sand beaches of Zanzibar. On the other hand, it boasts some spectacular mountains, some of which are over 4000 meters high and have been mostly uncharted in comparison to the Himalayas and the Alps.

Mount Kilimanjaro, with its distinctive flat top, stands tall over north Tanzania as the tallest mountain in Africa. This summit, which is 5895 meters high and is climbed by 30,000 people annually, is certainly not Africa’s best hidden secret. However, there are six of Africa’s tallest peaks in the lunar-like Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda, so it’s hard to choose just one. To your surprise, Morocco’s Mount Toubkal (4167m/ 13,671ft) was almost included, but don’t worry—there are plenty of other options to keep you motivated.

It should be noted that numerous African mountains feature multiple summit cones. The tallest mountains, not the tallest peak cones, are what we have chosen. Therefore, Kilimanjaro is only counted as one entry, measured at its highest point, Kibo, rather than numerous, even though the mountain has three peaks (Mawenzi at 5149m/16,893ft, Shira at 4005m/13,140ft, and Kibo at 5895m/19,341ft). Does that make sense?

To cut to the chase…

The Highest Mountains in Africa

The fact that Mount Kilimanjaro stands tallest in Africa ought to be common knowledge to all readers. But are you familiar with the nine African mountains that rank second-to-highest? We arrange hikes to the top of two of them—Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. Nonetheless, we think it’s safe to say that you’re unfamiliar with at least a couple of the other eight.


Top 10 Highest Mountains in Africa

1. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania – 5895m

Highest Point: Kibo Peak (5895m | 19,341ft)

Mountain Range: Free-standing

Type of Climb: Walk-up/no technical skills required

Mount Kilimanjaro is special in more ways than one. To begin with, it stands alone as the tallest peak on Earth; generally, mountain ranges are formed by volcanic activity, but this one is free-standing, meaning it isn’t connected to any others. Both Tanzania and Africa can claim Mount Kilimanjaro as their tallest peak. Its three volcanic cones include the dormant Kibo, the tallest; the extinct Mawenzi; and the living Shira. On the way up Kilimanjaro, you’ll pass through five distinct climate zones: rainforest, heathland, moorland, alpine desert, and Arctic. This is one of the mountain’s most distinctive features.

Despite its height, Climbing Kilimanjaro does not necessitate any specific mountaineering expertise, which is why it is so popular. The physical difficulty of trekking at such a great altitude should not be overlooked, though. The Machame Route offers some of the most varied landscapes and a top ascending profile among the seven main routes up Kilimanjaro; we highly suggest it.

Extra info: Climbing Kilimanjaro


I Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro (World’s Tallest Free Standing Mountain)

2. Mount Kenya, Kenya – 5199m

Highest Point: Bastian Peak, 5199m | 19,341ft

Mountain Range: freestanding

Ascent Difficulty: Technical knowledge required

Another freestanding stratovolcano, this one ranks as Africa’s second-highest peak. Valleys, peaks, and eleven minor glaciers have formed as a result of the melting of the once-thick ice cap, which has been gradually receding over millennia as a result of global warming. Bastian, Nelion, and Point Lenana are the three tallest points on the mountain, with elevations ranging from 4985 to 19,341 feet. Point Lenana is an excellent trekking peak, in contrast to Bastian and Nelion, which necessitate advanced climbing expertise.

The Sirimon Route is a popular way to climb Mount Kenya (to Point Lenana) because it offers a scenic vantage point while avoiding the ridges that are too exposed. However, if you’re interested in hiking a bit further and seeing more of the high-altitude peaks and glaciers, we suggest the Summit Circuit.

Extra info: Climbing Mount Kenya


Haglöfs I The Mount Kenya

3. Mount Stanley, Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo – 5109m

Highest Point: Margherita Peak, 5109m | 17,047ft

Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: Trekking peak with a scramble at the summit

The Rwenzori Mountains are home to the rugged Mount Stanley, which features multiple rocky top summits. Margherita Peak, at 5109m (17,047ft), is the tallest of these. Even though it is melting at a rapid pace, Rwenzori Central Circuit.

We recommend Rwenzori Central Circuit as the best way to climb Margherita Peak. It begins in the Nyakalengija farmlands, follows the Mubuku River, and eventually enters Rwenzori Mountains National Park. You’ll spend nights in mountain huts as you go through grasslands and up into the rugged peaks. Crampons, ice picks, and a rope are required to cross the glacier and reach the summit of Margherita Peak from Elena Hut, which is at an elevation of 4,541 meters (14,898 feet). After a short while of easy climbing, you’ll have to scramble your way to the peak.

Extra info: Mount Stanley Summit


Summit of Margarita Peak in Uganda/DRC – Mount Stanley – Rwenzori

4. Mount Speke, Uganda – 4890m

Highest Point: Vittorio Emanuele 4890m | 16,043ft

Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: Scramble

John Hanning Speke, an explorer who spent time in the Rwenzori Mountains charting the source of the Nile, is commemorated by this mountain’s name. However, he never ascended the summit himself. The longest and most exposed ridge on the mountain features five summits, the tallest of which is Vittoria Emanuele, at 4890 meters (16,043 feet).

From Bjuku Hut, one must ascend the steep slopes of Vittorio Emanuele. You won’t come across many areas of ice anymore because the glacier has essentially vanished. However, in order to traverse the steep slopes, you will be need to wear a safety harness. Rainfall is heavy in the mountainous region where Mount Speke is located, making the already difficult rocky path even more so.

More info: Mount Speke Summit


Rwenzori Mount Speke

5. Mount Baker, Uganda – 4844m

Highest Point: Edward Peak, 4844m | 15,892 ft

Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: Hiking and crevice climbing

The Rwenzori Mountains, which a Greek trader from a few thousand years ago dubbed the “Mountains of the Moon,” provide a third entry with their sharp peaks. The barren, ice-coated slopes of Mount Baker justify its name. But things change after you descend below the mountain’s snowline; up high, you’ll cross swampy bogs and descend through verdant rainforests crisscrossed with streams.

Beginning in Hunwick’s Camp (3974m/13,038ft), one can ascend to the peak. The hike up takes about four or five hours and covers about 4.3 kilometers. You’ll need ropes because it’s rough, steep, and has multiple crevasses with precipitous drops. This is a technical climb during the wet season (April–May) and the dry season (September–October). No matter the season, guides are a need.

More info: Mount Baker Summit


Mount. Baker from Hunwick’s Camp (3,974 metres altitude) – Rwenzori Mountain

6. Mount Emin, Democratic Republic of Congo – 4798m

Highest Point: Umberto Peak, 4798m | 15,741ft

Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: Technical climbing peak

Umberto and Kraepelin, two summits measuring 4791 meters (15,720 feet), are located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 1906, the first recorded climb of Mount Emin was by the Duke of Abruzzi, Prince Luigi Amedeo, an Italian explorer and mountaineer. Since then, many have reached the peak, but it requires serious mountaineering expertise and is thus not for beginners.

The trail to Umberto Peak begins in the Mugusu Valley in Uganda and continues up the ridge to the southwest. In order to climb to the peak, you will require safety equipment such as ropes, crampons, and more.

More info: Mount Emin Summit

7. Mount Gessi, Uganda – 4715m

Highest Point: Lolanda, 4715m | 15,470ft

Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: scramble

Mount Gessi, across a little valley from Mount Emin, is just as jagged and intimidating looking, although it’s a little easier to climb. Although the first recorded climb of the peak was by the Duke of Abruzzi, today’s novices face a succession of treacherous stone slabs caused by the melting glaciers.

On the contrary, the majority of hikers reach Roccati Pass by leaving the Mugusu valley and climbing through groundsel forests on their way to Mount Gessi. To get to the ridge between the summits, you have to go south-east through some bush and then scramble up some steep slabs.

More info: Mount Gessi Summit

8. Mount Meru, Tanzania – 4566m

Highest Point: Socialist Peak, 4566m | 14,980 ft

Mountain Range: free-standing

Ascent Difficulty: Walk-up

Mount Meru is a stratovolcano that is commonly called “Kilimanjaro’s little brother” because it is located barely 70 kilometers (43 miles) west of Kilimanjaro. Acclimatization hikes sometimes include it because it is more over a thousand meters lower than Kili. But don’t discount it either. The walk up the exposed, desolate slope and the steeper rise make the hike itself more challenging. A handful of via ferrata portions are also there to test your mettle!

The ascent will take you through grassland, forest, and a high altitude desert zone, just like Kilimanjaro. At lower elevations, though, you have a far better chance of seeing animals, such as baboons, antelopes, and giraffes, because the paths are considerably less congested than Kilimanjaro.

Extra info: Mount Meru Summit


Mount Meru: Climbing the Shark’s Fin | Op-Docs

9. Ras Dashen, Ethiopia – 4553m

Highest Point: Ras Dashen Peak, 4533m | 14,872ft

Mountain Range: The Simien Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: walk up/moderate scramble

One of the earliest locations to be designated as a UNESCO heritage site was the Simien Mountains in northern Ethiopia. The Ethiopian plateau is home to some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery, sculpted by centuries of erosion that has exposed sheer cliffs, deep valleys, and ragged mountain peaks that descend 1,500 meters below the surface. According to its UNESCO classification, the park is home to a number of unique creatures, including the Gelada baboon, the Simien fox, and the Walia ibex, a goat that is found nowhere else in the world.

The peak at the very top of the Simien Mountains is Ras Dashen, sometimes called Ras Dejen. The title of highest peak in Ethiopia is also bestowed upon it. Debark, the Simien Mountains‘ administrative center, is the starting point for any hike up Ras Dashen. After that, you’ll have to acclimate on a four-day hike across mountainous terrain and lush highland vegetation, stopping at waterfalls and climbing smaller peaks. The ascent starts softly ascending from Ambiko Base Camp (3250m/10,663ft) and continues throughout the day. A rough scramble is there shortly before the peak, but other than that, the route is mostly easy trekking.

We advise that you do this hike with a reputable, fair-wage operator because, despite the stunning scenery, several trekkers have complained that park guides beg for money and equipment and aren’t trained properly.

Extra info: Ras Dashen Summit


Ras Degen, Simien Mountains National Park , Ethiopia.

10. Mount Karisimbi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda – 4507m

Highest Point: Karisimbi, 4507m | 14,787ft

Mountain Range: Virunga Mountains

Ascent Difficulty: Challenging trek

The dormant stratovolcano known as Mount Karisimbi lies in the Virunga Mountains, which form the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The mountain is part of the breathtaking Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, which is the most common approach. Since primatologist Dian Fossey’s debut in 1967, which helped decrease poaching and establish a successful gorilla conservation program, the park has been an integral aspect of the Virunga conservation region, which aims to protect the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Climbing Karisimbi and walking to see the gorillas is a popular combo for park visitors.

On your way to Karisimbi peak, you’ll pass through lush jungles and breathtaking volcanic scenery. At the park headquarters, hikers can sign in and receive an orientation before being transported to the trailhead at the base of Mount Bisoke (3,711m/ 12,175ft). Although most groups complete the seven-hour climb in two days, the last push is particularly challenging due to the fog and strong winds that make it even more so. From the peak, though, you can see the neighboring volcanoes jutting out of the forest in all their glory.

Extra info: Mount Karisimbi Summit


Mount Karisimbi | Mountains Of The World