Tallest Mountain In Africa Kilimanjaro Africa’s Highest Peaks List
Let’s look the tallest mountain in Africa and a wide list of 90 africa’s highest mountain peaks; A giant mountain in Africa so tall it touches the sky, its highest peak covered in sparkling snow. That’s Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. The “Roof of Africa” stands at an amazing 19,341 feet (5,895 meters), calling adventurers and nature lovers to explore its wonders.
Africa’s tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro, Learn its history, from how it formed to the stories it holds. Discover why it’s special, its role in cultures, and the challenges it faces. Join us on a simple journey to understand and appreciate Kilimanjaro’s beauty and importance and also know about all the tallest mountains in africa.
The Story Of Mount Kilimanjaro
A long time ago, powerful forces under the ground made Kilimanjaro. Kibo is the youngest and the tallest one. The mountain’s sides were formed by volcanoes erupting, and now, icy glaciers on Kibo tell us about its hot and fiery history.
Kilimanjaro’s Tallest Free-Standing Birth: Kilimanjaro was born millions of years ago because of strong powers beneath the ground. These forces shaped the mountain, creating three parts known as Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira.
Kibo: Among Kilimanjaro’s three parts, Kibo is the newest and the tallest. Hot volcanic eruptions formed the mountain’s sides. Even now, icy glaciers on Kibo show us that there’s a history of fire and heat beneath its cool surface.
Mawenzi And Shira: Mawenzi is another part of Kilimanjaro, and even though it’s not active anymore, it adds to the mountain’s story. Shira is the oldest sibling, and it’s the smallest. Together with Kibo, they make up the trio of cones that make Kilimanjaro unique.
Glacial Reminders Mount Meru: Kilimanjaro’s top, especially on Kibo, is covered in icy glaciers. These are like frozen memories from when the mountain was shaped by hot volcanic action.
Explore Also: Tallest Mountains In The World
Geology And Geography Of Highest Mountain In Africa
Kilimanjaro is like a team of three volcanoes. The tallest and newest one is called Kibo, with the highest point in Africa, Uhuru highest Peak, on its rim. The second tallest, Mawenzi, is no longer active, and the oldest and shortest one is called Shira.
Kilimanjaro’s Three Volcanic Cones: Kilimanjaro is made up of three big parts, like three giant hills. These are called volcanic cones. One is the tallest and newest, called Kibo. The second is Mawenzi, and the third is Shira. They all together form Kilimanjaro.
Uhuru Peak(Highest Point): Kibo is the tallest part of Kilimanjaro. On the top edge of Kibo is Uhuru Peak. It is the highest spot in Africa, like the king of all the mountains on the continent.
Mawenzi And Shira: Mawenzi is the second tallest cone, but it doesn’t do anything now. Shira is the oldest and smallest. These two, along with Kibo, make up Kilimanjaro. They each have their own story in the mountain family.
Life On This Mountain
Life on Kilimanjaro is like a big adventure. At the bottom, in the rainforest, lively monkeys are swinging around, chameleons are changing colors, and cool birds are singing. As you climb higher, you’ll see meadows with pretty flowers and strange-looking lobelias. Each level has its own story and creatures. Finally, it’s a different world at the icy top, quiet and cold. Kilimanjaro is not just a mountain; it’s home to various life, from the playful to the resilient.
Climbing Fun: Kilimanjaro is like a big playground for people who love climbing. The paths take you through valleys, rocky areas, and even icy parts. It’s not just about being strong; it’s also a journey that changes you and makes you feel close to nature.
More Than A Mountain: For the Chagga people who live around Kilimanjaro, the mountain is special. They have traditions, stories, and celebrations connected to it. The soil around the mountain is super good for growing things, so they have farms there, too.
Glaciers And Climate Change Of Tallest Mount Baker
Unfortunately, Kilimanjaro’s big ice blankets are going away quickly because of climate change. More than 85% of the ice has disappeared since 1912; scientists think it might all be gone by 2040 or 2060. This is a big problem because it affects the environment around Kilimanjaro and the water we get from there. The ice melting is changing things, and we need to pay attention to help protect this special place.
Protecting Tallest Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro, Africa’s amazing mountain, faces more than just icy problems. When many people visit, it can cause issues. Littering, cutting down too many trees, and not throwing away trash properly can make the place messy and hurt animals. To keep Kilimanjaro safe, we need to take care of it.
We can do this by being good tourists, like throwing our trash in the right place and choosing companies that care about nature. Everyone, including visitors and visitors, should know how special Kilimanjaro is and help protect it. Kilimanjaro can stay wonderful for a long, long time if we all work together.
Challenges Facing Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro is facing problems like the melting of its icy top due to climate change, and actions by people around the mountain can harm its nature. We must be cautious and work together to safeguard Kilimanjaro.
Melting Ice On Kilimanjaro: The ice on Kilimanjaro is disappearing fast because of something called climate change. More than 85% of the sea level of the ice has melted since a long time ago in 1912. This is not good news because it’s causing a big issue.
Time is Running Out: Scientists say all the ice on Kilimanjaro might be completely gone by 2040 or even 2060. That’s pretty close and a serious problem for the mount meru and everything around it.
The Big Impact: When the ice melts, it’s not just the rwenzori mountain that feels it. The land around Kilimanjaro and the water there are also greatly affected. It’s like a chain reaction, and many things are changing.
What We Can Do: Even though it’s a big problem, there are things we can do to help. We need to take care of our planet and stop things that cause climate change. It’s important for Kilimanjaro and all the places on Earth.
Some people are already taking action to tackle Kilimanjaro’s challenges. Smart tourists, tree planters, and community partners are working to keep Kilimanjaro safe. Their efforts show that simple actions can make a big difference.
Extra Cool Facts:
- The name Kilimanjaro probably means “mountain” in the Chagga language.
- Kilimanjaro is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it’s super special.
- Around 30,000 people try to climb Kilimanjaro every year.
- It can get cold at the top, so climbers need warm clothes.
- Kilimanjaro is home to cool animals like the Kilimanjaro tree frog and Decken’s swift.
So, next time you look at a map of Africa, find Kilimanjaro and remember the awesome stories it has to tell. It’s not just a mountain; it’s a giant, a symbol, and a reminder of the incredible things we have on our planet.
List Of Highest Mountains In Africa
Look the majestic heights of Africa with this comprehensive table featuring the top 98 tallest mountains on the continent. From the iconic peaks of Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya to the lesser-known wonders like Amba Farit and Teide, this table provides a snapshot of each mountain’s rank, name, range, height, country, and first ascent. T diverse landscapes, from the Virunga Mountains to the Semien and Rwenzori ranges, and discover the rich tapestry of Africa’s awe-inspiring summits.
Rank | Name | Range | Height (m) | Country | First Ascent |
1 | Kibo (Uhuru Pk) | Kilimanjaro | 5895 | Tanzania | 1889 |
2 | Mount Kenya (Batian) | Mount Kenya | 5199 | Kenya | 1899 |
3 | Mount Kenya (Nelion) | Mount Kenya | 5188 | Kenya | 1929 |
4 | Mawenzi (Hans Meyer Pk) | Kilimanjaro | 5148 | Tanzania | 1912 |
5 | Ngaliema / Mt Stanley (Margherita Pk) | Rwenzori | 5109 | DR Congo, Uganda | 1906 |
6 | Mount Kenya (Lenana) | Mount Kenya | 4985 | Kenya | 1899 |
7 | Ngaliema / Mt Stanley (Savoia Pk) | Rwenzori | 4977 | Uganda | 1906 |
8 | Duwoni / Mt Speke (Vittorio Emanuele Pk) | Rwenzori | 4890 | Uganda | 1906 |
9 | Kiyanja / Mt Baker (Edward Pk) | Rwenzori | 4844 | Uganda | 1906 |
10 | Mount Emin (Umberto Pk) | Rwenzori | 4798 | DR Congo | 1906 |
11 | Mount Gessi (Iolanda Pk) | Rwenzori | 4715 | Uganda | 1906 |
12 | Mount Luigi di Savoia (Sella Pk) | Rwenzori | 4627 | Uganda | 1906 |
13 | Mount Meru (Socialist Pk) | Mount Meru | 4566 | Tanzania | 1904 |
14 | Ras Dashen | Semien Mountains | 4550 | Ethiopia | 1841 |
15 | Karisimbi | Virunga Mountains | 4507 | DR Congo, Rwanda | 1903 |
16 | Ancua / Ankwa / Weynobar | Semien Mountains | 4462 | Ethiopia | – |
17 | Kidis Yared | Semien Mountains | 4453 | Ethiopia | – |
18 | Mikeno | Virunga Mountains | 4437 | DR Congo | 1927 |
19 | Bwahit | Semien Mountains | 4437 | Ethiopia | – |
20 | Portal Peaks (Kihuma) | Rwenzori | 4391 | Uganda | 1945 |
21 | Tullu Demtu | Bale Mountains | 4377 | Ethiopia | – |
22 | Mount Elgon (Wagagai) | Mount Elgon | 4321 | Uganda, Kenya | 1911 |
23 | Mount Elgon (Sudek) | Mount Elgon | 4302 | Kenya, Uganda | – |
24 | Amba Farit | Kollo Massif | 4270 | Ethiopia | – |
25 | Abune Yosef / Guliba Amba | Lasta Massif | 4260 | Ethiopia | – |
26 | Ioll / Yoll | Kollo Massif | 4220 | Ethiopia | – |
27 | Bada | Arsi Mountains | 4195 | Ethiopia | – |
28 | Kaka / Kecha / Chiqe | Arsi Mountains | 4193 | Ethiopia | – |
29 | Jbel Toubkal | Toubkal Atlas | 4167 | Morocco | 1923 |
30 | Muhavura | Virunga Mountains | 4127 | Rwanda, Uganda | 1898 |
31 | Hey / Hay | Semien Mountains | 4125 | Ethiopia | – |
32 | Guna | Guna Massif | 4120 | Ethiopia | – |
33 | Choqa / Choke / Birhan | Choqa Mountains | 4100 | Ethiopia | – |
34 | Ouanoukrim | Toubkal Atlas | 4088 | Morocco | – |
35 | Chilalo | Arsi Mountains | 4071 | Ethiopia | – |
36 | Inatye | Semien Mountains | 4070 | Ethiopia | – |
37 | Ighil Mgoun | Central High Atlas | 4068 | Morocco | – |
38 | Mount Cameroon | Cameroon line | 4040 | Cameroon | 1861 |
39 | Weshema / Wasema? | Bale Mountains | 4030 | Ethiopia | – |
40 | Shira | Kilimanjaro | 4005 | Tanzania | – |
41 | Oldoinyo Lesatima | Aberdare Range | 4001 | Kenya | – |
42 | Jebel n’Tarourt / Tifnout / Iferouane | Toubkal Atlas | 4001 | Morocco | – |
43 | Muggia | Lasta Massif | 3950 | Ethiopia | – |
44 | Dubbai | Tigray Mountains | 3941 | Ethiopia | – |
45 | Taska n’Zat | Toubkal Atlas | 3912 | Morocco | – |
46 | Aksouâl | Toubkal Atlas | 3903 | Morocco | – |
47 | Mount Kinangop | Aberdare Range | 3902 | Kenya | – |
48 | Cimbia | Kollo Massif | 3900 | Ethiopia | – |
49 | Anrhemer / Ingehmar | Toubkal Atlas | 3892 | Morocco | – |
50 | Ieciuol ? | Kollo Massif | 3840 | Ethiopia | – |
51 | Kawa / Caua / Lajo | Bale Mountains | 3830 | Ethiopia | – |
52 | Pt 3820 | Kollo Massif | 3820 | Ethiopia | – |
53 | Jbel Tignousti | Central High Atlas | 3819 | Morocco | – |
54 | Filfo / Encuolo | Arsi Mountains | 3805 | Ethiopia | – |
55 | Kosso Amba | Lasta Massif | 3805 | Ethiopia | – |
56 | Jbel Ghat | Central High Atlas | 3781 | Morocco | – |
57 | Baylamtu / Gavsigivla | Lasta Massif | 3777 | Ethiopia | – |
58 | Ouaougoulzat | Central High Atlas | 3763 | Morocco | – |
59 | Somkaru | Bale Mountains | 3760 | Ethiopia | – |
60 | Abieri | Semien Mountains | 3750 | Ethiopia | – |
61 | Arin Ayachi | East High Atlas | 3747 | Morocco | – |
62 | Teide | Tenerife | 3718 | Spain (Canary Islands) | – |
63 | Visoke / Bisoke | Virunga Mountains | 3711 | DR Congo, Rwanda | 1908 |
64 | Sarenga | Tigray Mountains | 3700 | Ethiopia | – |
65 | Woti / Uoti | Eastern Escarpment | 3700 | Ethiopia | – |
66 | Pt 3700 (Kulsa?) | Arsi Mountains | 3700 | Ethiopia | – |
67 | Mount Loolmalassin | Crater Highlands | 3682 | Tanzania | – |
68 | Biala? | Lasta Massif | 3680 | Ethiopia | – |
69 | Azurki / Azourki | Central High Atlas | 3677 | Morocco | – |
70 | Pt 3645 | Lasta Massif | 3645 | Ethiopia | – |
71 | Sabyinyo | Virunga Mountains | 3634 | Rwanda, DR Congo, Uganda | 1907 |
72 | Mount Gurage / Guraghe | Gurage Mountains | 3620 | Ethiopia | – |
73 | Angour | Toubkal Atlas | 3616 | Morocco | – |
74 | Jbel Igdat | West High Atlas | 3615 | Morocco | 1888 |
75 | Jbel n’Anghomar | Central High Atlas | 3609 | Morocco | – |
76 | Yegura / Amba Moka | Lasta Massif | 3605 | Ethiopia | – |
77 | Pt 3600 (Kitir?) | Eastern Escarpment | 3600 | Ethiopia | – |
78 | Pt 3600 | Lasta Massif | 3600 | Ethiopia | – |
79 | Bar Meda high point | Eastern Escarpment | 3580 | Ethiopia | – |
80 | Jbel Erdouz | West High Atlas | 3579 | Morocco | – |
81 | Mount Gugu | Mount Gugu | 3570 | Ethiopia | – |
82 | Gesh Megal (?) | Gurage Mountains | 3570 | Ethiopia | – |
83 | Gughe | Balta Mountains | 3568 | Ethiopia | – |
84 | Megezez | Eastern Escarpment | 3565 | Ethiopia | – |
85 | Pt 3555 | Lasta Massif | 3555 | Ethiopia | – |
86 | Jbel Tinergwet | West High Atlas | 3551 | Morocco | – |
87 | Amba Alagi | Tigray Mountains | 3550 | Ethiopia | – |
88 | Chemnirot (Kamelogon Pk) | Cherangani Hills | 3530 | Kenya | – |
89 | Gara Guda /Kara Gada | Salale Mountains | 3530 | Ethiopia | – |
90 | Amonewas | Choqa Mountains | 3530 | Ethiopia |
FAQs
Mount Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, and it’s the highest mountain in Africa, standing tall at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet).
Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest mountain, is part of the seven summits. These include the highest peaks on each continent. Kilimanjaro is a favorite among hikers, both experienced and new, as it’s seen as the easiest of the seven summits to conquer.
Every year, more than 30,000 people try to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. However, there is a recorded number of 3 to 10 fatalities annually during these attempts.