Are you an adventurous traveler who is eager to take part in a mountain climbing experience but still bothered on the best destinations to quench this thirst from? The land of the blacks also known as the African continent has got you covered with the top 5 of the world’s highest mountains. When planning a travel to the beautiful continent, the amazing features like the rolling plains, unique vegetation, the magnificent Rocky Mountains, snow-topped peaks, rare wildlife and primate species, lakes and rivers and many others.
With over 55 countries in different parts of the world, Africa is surely among the best destinations for hiking experience encompassing almost all the world’s most spectacular mountains with different elevations and heights. For the hiking lovers, below is a bucket list of the top five African mountains that will provide you with an unforgettable experience during your stay in the black land.
Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
With an elevation of 5,895 meters, Mount Kilimanjaro stands as the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single freestanding mountain above the sea level in the world. It is the highest volcano in Africa and in the eastern sub region and also the fourth most topographically prominent peak on Earth. The mountain is made up of three volcanic cones such as Kibo (dormant) which is the highest, followed by Mawenzi (dormant) and Shira (extinct). The iconic mountain is protected by Kilimanjaro national park which is a home to several attractions like over 55 mammal species, variety of beautiful and colorful bird species, unique and rare vegetation, waterfalls, rivers and rocks.
Mount Kenya, Kenya
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second highest in Africa after Kilimanjaro. Named after the magical Republic of Kenya, the mountain is located in the former Eastern and Central provinces of Kenya with different peaks including Batian (5,199 meters) which is the highest followed by Nelion (5,188 meters) and then point Lenana (4,985 meters). The highest peak of the mountain is located in the intersection of Meru, Embu, Kirinyanga, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi counties just about 16.5 kilometers south of the equator, around 150 kilometer north – northeast of the capital, Nairobi.
The mountain is protected by Mount Kenya National Park and thus providing you with other encounters besides mountain climbing and hiking. Among these experiences include game viewing, bird watching, nature walking and many others.
Mount Rwenzori of Uganda
Also spelled as Rwenjura, Rwenzori mountains are a range of mountains in the eastern equatorial Africa located between Uganda and Democratic Republic of Congo. Legendary known as the mountains of the moon, Rwenzori mountains comprises of the highest peak in Uganda and the third highest in Africa after Kibo of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and Batian of Mount Kenya. The permanently snow-capped mountains – Rwenzori are a UNESCO World Heritage Site regarded as one of the most dramatic and challenging hiking destinations in Uganda and Africa at large. With a number of peaks, the mountain’s highest peak is Margherita ranging at a height of 5,109 meters on Mount Stanley which is one of the mountain massifs.
Other ranges include Mountain Speke (4,890 metres), Mount Baker (4,843 meters), Mount Emin (4,798 meters), Mount Gessi (4,715 meters) and Mount Luigi di Savoia (4,627 meters). Mountain Rwenzori is protected by Rwenzori mountains national park which is a home to various attractions such as over 70 mammal species, about 217 bird species, lakes, rivers, waterfalls and a unique vegetation zone.
Mount Meru of Tanzania
Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano situated just 70 kilometers west of Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain in southeast of Arusha Region, the capital of Tanzania. With an elevation of 4,562.13 meters, the mountain stands as the fifth highest mountain in Africa and the second highest in Tanzania after Kilimanjaro. Mount Meru is known for its fertile slopes that rise above the surrounding savanna and support the forests which host several wildlife species like monkeys, leopards and over 400 species of birds.
Mount Semien of Ethiopia
Lying in the Ethiopian Highlands, Mount Semien is one of the best five mountains in Africa located in northern Ethiopia, northeast of Gondar in Amhara region. The mountains are a World Heritage Site and they are protected by Semien Mountains National Park. In the tropical part of Africa, Semien mountains stand as the one of the few spots where snow regularly falls and they stand at a height of 4,550 meters. Since the mountains are protected by a national park, there are several species to spot including caracal, Ethiopian wolves, gelada, walia ibex and a number of bird species.
