Tallest African mountain is a showcase of other mountains on the continent that are almost as tall as Mount Kilimanjaro. The tallest African mountains in the region of Africa have peaks that have been measured and recorded to be higher than others.
Africa has mountains above 4500m mostly concentrated in the North-western, Central, and eastern regions of the continent. Additionally, the African continent is said to house the oldest mountain range in the world. The Barberton Greenstone Belt in South Africa has been unanimously agreed upon by geologists and scientists as the oldest mountain in the world. This Barberton Greenstone is said to be about 3.6 billion years old.
In Africa, approximately half of the countries have mountains that are higher than 200m. However, we would be looking at the tallest mountains in Africa and the basis for measurement would be their peaks/summits.
While Kilimanjaro Mountain is undoubtedly the tallest African mountain, there are others that are significantly tall as well. These mountains cannot be ignored because not only are they tall, but they offer a wide range of beautiful views at their summit. Some of the mountains are easily located close to the equatorial belt that encircles the globe in the Rwenzori range.
Here Are The Tallest African Mountains
1. Mount Kilimanjaro In Tanzania
Name: Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 5,985meters (19,341 feet)
Mountain Range: Kilimanjaro Mountain Range
Country: Tanzania
The cliché that Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa may be true but do you know why? This mountain that has its base in Tanzania has been referred to as such because it is 5,895 Meters high. This is the highest peak of all the mountains located in the continent of Africa.
It is the largest free-standing mountain rise in the world and by this statement, it means that it is not part of any other mountain range.
It is made up of three cones known as;
- Kibo is the summit of the mountain and stands at the exact height of 5, 895. It has a crater rim known as ‘Uhuru’ a word from Swahili which translates to ‘Freedom’.
- Mawenzi is the second highest summit of the mountain standing at a height of 5,148. However, it is the fourth highest mountain peak, standing against other mountains.
- Shira is the third highest peak on the tallest mountain in Africa. However, it ranks as the 40th peak amongst other mountains on the continent. This means that about 39 other mountain peaks are higher than this particular cone.
Mount Kilimanjaro is also referred to as a stratovolcano and this implies that it is a very large volcano made of ash, lava, and rock. Given this information, Kibo being the highest cone is dormant and has a possibility of erupting soon. Scientists declare that the last time there was an eruption from the mountain was about 360,000 years ago. Cones Mawenzi and Shira have however gone extinct and are not at risk of erupting.
2. Mount Kenya In Kenya
Name: Kenya
Elevation: 5,199meters (17,047 feet)
Mountain Range: Kenya Mountain Range
Country: Kenya
This is the second-highest mountain in Africa and it is located in Kenya. Standing at a height of 5,199 meters, it has two main peaks known as;
- Batian is the highest peak and has a height of 5,199 meters.
- Nelion the second highest peak stands at a height of 5,188 meters.
This mountain is volcano extinct but its peaks are snow-capped. Sitting near the equator, it still has access to a great amount of snowfall annually. This characteristic is unlike that of some other African countries.
Another distinctive feature about this mountain is that it supplies freshwater through rainfall and snow-melt to about 7 million inhabitants of the Kenyan area.
3. Mount Stanley In Uganda and DR Congo
Name: Stanley
Elevation: 5,119 meters (16,794 feet)
Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountain Range
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda
Sitting in between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo is Africa’s third-highest mountain. The Stanley Mountain or Mount Stanley stands at a height of 5,109 meters above the ground.
It is said to be the mightiest mountain among the Rwenzori’s (Lord of the Clouds). It encloses a valley known as ‘Bujuku Valley’ as the mountain aligns with Mount Speke and Mount Baker to form a towering triangle.
Just like other mountains, Mount Uganda has two peaks and they are known as;
- Margherita is 5,109 meters high and is ranked as the 5th highest peak of the African mountains.
- Alexandra is about 5,091 meters from the floor and is amongst the Rwenzori mountain range just like Margherita peak.
These two peaks are usually called twin peaks because the difference in their height isn’t so much. However, the mountain has several subsidiary peaks apart from the aforementioned.
This mountain range was initially formed by the presence of glaciers. The Bujuku valley is what was previously covered by a great number of glaciers. Unfortunately, most of the area has lost the ice formed around it and only this mountain now has any significant amount, visible.
Mount Stanley is said to have had greater chances of attracting visitors and gaining prominence and fame. It would have been the most talked-about mountain in Africa if not for Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya.
4. Mount Speke In Uganda
Name: Speke
Elevation: 4,890 meters (16,043 feet)
Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountain Range
Country: Uganda
This mountain is located in Uganda and is the fourth highest mountain in Africa with a height of 4,890 meters. In the Rwenzori mountain range, it is however the second highest. It has four peaks known as;
- Vittorio Emanuele stands at a height of 4,890 and is the 8th highest mountain peak in Africa.
- Ensonga which stands at a height of 4,865 meters
- Johnston is 4,834 meters high
- Trident is 4,572 meters away from the ground.
Though it is an adventurous journey to make, climbing this mountain, has proven a bit difficult for people to do. The reason behind this is the political instability in Uganda that discourages visitors and climbers from embarking on the hike.
5. Mount Baker In Uganda
Name: Baker
Elevation: 4,844 meters (15,892 feet)
Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountain Range
Country: Uganda
Making it to the 5th highest mountain in Africa is Mount Baker. Standing at a height of 4,844 meters, it comes just after Mount Speke. It also sits as the third highest mountain in the Rwenzori Mountain range. Making its placement based on its peak height, it ranks at the number 9.
This mountain has narrow ridgelines and deep crevasses that pose challenges to those hiking up the mountain. Peculiar to Rwenzori mountain ranges, this one is not devoid of ice formations that can be found at its highest peak.
6. Mount Emin In DR Congo
Name: Emin
Elevation: 4,798 meters (15,741 feet)
Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountain Range
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo
The 6th highest mountain in Africa is closely placed alongside the 7th highest. Still located within the range of the Rwenzori Mountains, the Emin Mountain is named after a well-known explorer known as Mohammed Amin Asha.
Mohammed trekked across a large part of the African continent, however, he isn’t the first man to climb this mountain. The first recorded ascent of the mountain was by an Italian explorer and mountaineer known as Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of Abruzzi. He even has a mountain in Africa named after him as a tribute to his exploits and achievements in Africa.
This mountain known as ‘Mount Luigi di Savoia’ stands at a height of 4,627 meters tall. Some sites even consider this mountain as the 7th tallest mountain in Africa, however, most sites leave it out. As seen here, it has the 12th highest peak on the continent.
Mount Emin has two peaks known as; Umberto and Kraepelin.
7. Mount Gessi In Uganda
Name: Gessi
Elevation: 4,715 meters (15,469 feet)
Mountain Range: Rwenzori Mountain Range
Country: Uganda
This mountain is 4,715 meters high and is named after an Italian explorer known as Romulo Gessi. This Italian is the one who discovered the source of the River Nile as well as Mount Gessi.
A prominent feature about this mountain is that, just like all the mountains in its range, it was once covered with glacial ice at its peak. However, like all the other mountains, these glacial ice have started melting away due to the effects of global warming.
The mountain is accessible through the Democratic Republic of Congo as well as Uganda. In comparing its peak point with others in the continent, it is ranked as the 11th on the list.
8. Mount Meru In Tanzania
Name: Meru
Elevation: 4,566 meters (14,980 feet)
Mountain Range: Meru Mountain Range
Country: Tanzania
With a beautiful view enough to attract anybody, the Meru Mountain stands at a height of 4,556 meters. It is located in Northern Tanzania’s ‘Arusha National Park’. Known as a socialist park, this mountain is listed as the 13th according to the highest peak ranking.
Like Mount Kilimanjaro, Meru mountain is a volcano although it’s unknown if it is still active or has gone dormant. The last time this mountain erupted is said to be some 8000 years ago. Making it to the summit of this mountain offers an amazing view of the crater of the volcano.
9. Mount Semien In Ethiopia
Name: Ras Dejen or Ras Dashen
Elevation: 4,550 meters (14,872 feet)
Mountain Range: Semien Mountain Range
Country: Ethiopia
Closely following the Meru Mountain is this mountain that stands at a height of 4,550 meters. Not only is this mountain the 9th highest in Africa, but it is also the highest point in Ethiopia.
This mountain makes the most attractive part of the Simien Mountains National Park located in Ethiopia and is significantly adorned by sheer rock cliffs and jagged peaks.
The Ras Dejen was formed by volcanic activities some 20 to 30 million years ago. The ascent up this mountain is achievable in a half-a-day journey. At its summit, you’ll be rewarded with the view of almost the entire country of Ethiopia.
10. Mount Karisimbi In DR Congo and Rwanda
Name: Karisimbi
Elevation: 4,507 meters (14,786 feet)
Mountain Range: Virunga Mountain Range
Country: Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda
Bringing this article to an almost close is Mount Karisimbi located on the border between DR Congo and Rwanda. It is located within the mountain range known as Virunga and the mountains around this range are usually volcanic.
There are about 8 volcanoes in this mountain range and amongst all of them, Karisimbi stands the tallest. Mount Karisimbi is located in the Volcanoes National Park famous for housing the mountain gorillas.
This mountain is ranked the 15th tallest mountain according to its highest peak.
READ ALSO: African Mythology; 15 Myths And Legends That Will Blow Your Mind
A List Of Some Other Tall Mountains Located In Africa
- Mount Elgo stands at a height of 14,176 feet and is located between Kenya and Uganda. It is a shield volcano believed to be the oldest in East Africa. At the top of this mountain, royal graves and cliffs can be found. The mountain has 5 peaks which are;
- Wagagai the highest
- Sudek has a flat-topped basalt column
- Koitobos
- Mubiyi
- Masaba
- Mount Toubkal, Atlas Mountains which is a range of mountains that stretches through Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. It is 4,302 meters (13,671) feet tall. However, it is primarily located in the southwest of Morocco. Toubkal which is the highest peak of the mountain separates the Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines.
- Mount Guna is 4,120 meters (13,517 feet) tall and located in the Northern Amhara region of Ethiopia. It serves as a source to a lot of rivers in the region and provides fresh water to most parts of Ethiopia.
- Mount Choqa is an Ethiopian located mountain that stands at a height of 4100 meters (13,451 feet). Its distinctive feature is the lack of forests surrounding it. It is instead surrounded by Cultivatable slopes.
- Mount Ouanoukrim is located in Morocco, south of Marrakesh. It is 4,089 meters (13,396 feet) tall and is the second and third highest peak located in the Atlas range. It has two peaks known as;
- Timzguida at 4,089 meters (13,415 feet).
- Ras Ouanoukrim at 4.083 meters (13,396 feet).
Discussion about this post