We take a look at the 10 highest mountains in Africa, spanning from Tanzania to Ethiopia. Inside you’ll find a comprehensive list of the tallest African mountain peaks
1: MOUNT KILIMANJARO
- Height: 19,341′
- Country: Tanzania
Mount Kilimanjaro or just Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa, with its summit about 4,900 meters from its base, and 5,895 meters above sea level. It has close to 50,000 visitors attempt its summit every year. It is a dormant volcano located in the northern part of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is near the border between Tanzania and Kenya. Kilimanjaro is also the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Its width is about 25 miles across.
2: MOUNT KENYA
- Height: 17,057′
- Country: Kenya
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian, Nelion, and Point Lenana. The scenery surrounding this designated World Heritage Site is breath-taking. It is pristine wilderness with lakes, tarns, glaciers, dense forest, mineral springs and a selection of rare and endangered species of animals, high altitude adapted plains game and unique montane and alpine vegetation. Visitors can enjoy mountain climbing, camping and caving with the mountain’s rugged glacier-clad peaks providing the perfect backdrop.
3: MOUNT STANLEY
- Height: 16,761′
- Country: Republic of Congo and Uganda
The third highest mountain in Africa causes a bit of confusion. Some people will say Mount Ruwenzori. With an elevation of 5,109 m, it is the highest mountain of both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda and the third-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya. The mountain consists of various lower peaks and two twin summits. Margherita Peak is the highest, followed by several other peaks.
Mount Stanley is a very unique African mountain. Near the summit, you’ll find glacial lakes and glaciers. It is the highest mountain located between the borders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The mountain consists of various lower peaks and two twin summits. Margherita Peak is the highest, followed by several other peaks. Mount Stanley is a very unique African mountain. Near the summit, you’ll find glacial lakes and glaciers.
4: MOUNT MERU
- Height: 14,967′
- Country: Tanzania
Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano located 70 kilometers west of Mount Kilimanjaro in the country of Tanzania. At a height of 4,562.13 meters, it is visible from Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day and is the fifth-highest mountain in Africa, dependent on definition.
The base of Meru is surrounded by Arusha National Park. The slopes are fertile and rise above the bordering savannah. They support the surrounding forest that is home to abundant wildlife. If you are a bird lover, you will find over 400 species of birds singing in the Park. The forest has leopards and monkeys as well as many other animals.
5: ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS
- Height: 14,927′
- Country: Ethiopia
The Ethiopian Highlands is a rugged mass of mountains in Ethiopia, situated in the Horn region in northeast Africa. It forms the largest continuous area of its elevation in the continent, with little of its surface falling below 1,500 m, while the summits reach heights of up to 4,550 m.
The Ethiopian Highlands share similar flora and fauna of other mountainous regions of Africa. However, the habitats are somewhat different on either side of the Great Rift Valley that splits the highlands. At lower elevations, the highlands are surrounded by tropical savannas and grasslands. Geographers named the highlands the African Alps. The isolated and craggy Highlands are a haven for bird lovers. It has a native animal population believed to be the largest in Africa
6: MOUNT KARISIMBI
- Height: 14,786′
- Country: Rwanda and Republic of Congo
Mount Karisimbi is an inactive volcano in the Virunga Mountains on the border between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. At 4,507 meters, Karisimbi is the highest of the eight major mountains of the mountain range, which is a part of Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift.
Mount Karisimbi is one of the major sources of relief rainfall in the region. That makes it an ideal area for grazing and farming. Being the tallest mountain of the eight volcano chains in Virunga, it is the toughest to climb or hike. It takes about two to three days to hike the mountain. But the experience of climbing the mountain is unique. Your journey starts from the Volcanoes National Park which boasts of bamboo forests and climbs steeply to the summit.
7: MOUNT ELGON
- Height: 14,176′
- Country: Kenya and Uganda
Mount Elgon is an extinct shield volcano on the border of Uganda and Kenya, north of Kisumu and west of Kitale. The mountain’s highest point, named “Wagagai”, is located entirely within Uganda.
Geologists believe it is the oldest in East Africa. Like other mountains in Africa, Mt Elgon has five peaks. They include Wagagai, Sudek, Koitobos, Mubiyi, and Masaba. Sudek is a flat-topped basalt column. On top of the mountain are features like ancient royal graves and cliffs. Also, you will find an intact caldera which is among the largest in the world.
8: TOUBKAL, ATLAS MOUNTAINS
- Height: 13,671′
- Country: Morocco
Toubkal or Tubkal is a mountain peak in southwestern Morocco, located in the Toubkal National Park. At 4,167 meters, it is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains, Morocco, North Africa, and the Arab World.
The highest peak of the mountain range is Toubkal. Furthermore, Toubkal separates the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. It is the most prominent and also the most popular destination for hikers and climbers. The Atlas Mountains are a rich source of minerals and other natural resources. There are deposits of phosphate, silver, iron ore, copper, lead ore, marble, rock salt, mercury, natural gas, and anthracite coal. All the natural resources found in the area play a crucial role in the Moroccan economy.
9: MOUNT GUNA
- Height: 13,517′
- Country: Ethiopia
Mount Guna is located in the Northern Amhara region of Ethiopia. It is the highest point in the South Gondar Zone. The mountain is a source of various rivers in the region including River Gumar and River Rib. Most of the rivers flow downstream to form Lake Tana. Lake Tana is a catchment lake and wetland ecosystem. It serves as the source of fresh water in most parts of Ethiopia. Local communities depend on the resources and the collection of Guna’s water.
10. MOUNT CHOQA
- Height: 13,451′
- Country: Ethiopia
Mount Choqa at 4,100 meters, is one of the highest mountains of Gojjam, a region of Ethiopia located south of Lake Tana. The mountain and its surrounding area lack forests, and its slopes are cultivated up to an elevation of 3,000 meters above sea level.