The 10 highest mountains in Africa are distributed comparatively clearly across three mountain regions in the eastern half of the continent near the equator. Two of the four highest top peaks in Africa rise to over 5000 meters in the Kilimanjaro Mountains, which are part of the East African state of Tanzania. In Tanzania’s neighboring state Kenya, the Mount Kenya massif, which also belongs to the small group of the African 5000m, with Batian as the highest peak, is impressive. The next largest among the 10 highest mountains in Africa can be found in the Ruwenzori Mountains, which extend in the border area of ​​Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (until 1997: Zaire).

Tanzania’s giant mountains in Kilimanjaro

The world-famous Kilimanjaro Mountains, stretching over almost 5000 square kilometers in the north of Tanzania, are one of the most photographed natural beauties on the African continent. The volcanic massif, which enjoys special protection as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is estimated to be 2.5 million years old. The Kilimanjaro massif experienced its last major volcanic eruption about 300,000 years ago. Volcanic forces continue to work in the lava area below the surface.

Since a minor eruption around 1700, the highest peak of Kilimanjaro, the 5895 m towering Kibo (Kiswahili: “The Bright One”) has been considered extinct. The tip of the Kibo, which is crowned by glaciers (still) shining far into the surrounding area, was built in 1962 on the occasion of the declaration of independence Tanzania’s also called “Uhuru Peak” (“Freedom Peak”). Until then, this highest point in Africa was called “Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze” as a result of long-gone German colonial rule. Kibo, which is not a great challenge for mountaineers, is about 10 km long saddle ridge with the neighboring summit Mawenzi (“The Dark One”).Like the Kibo in its upper area, the glacier-less Mawenzi is characterized by frost rubble desert geology.

Kenya’s symbol mountain range Mount Kenya with the batian

The Mount Kenya massif (Masai: “Kinyaa” = “black and white mountain”) rises in central Kenya about 150 km northeast of Nairobi in the immediate vicinity of the equator.

Like the Tanzanian Kibo, the extinct volcanic massif of Mount Kenya, from which the state of Kenya took its name, fascinates with its extremely rare glacier zones near the equator between the towering peaks, of which the Batian is the highest. At 5,199 m, the Batian is not only the highest Mount Kenya mountain, but also belongs as the second highest peak in Africa like K 2 and Dufourspitze to the “Seven Second Summits”, the group of the second highest mountains of the seven continents.

In the approximately 100 square kilometer central area of ​​the Mount Kenya massif rise above the tree line at 3200 m with the peaks Nelion (5189 m) and Lengana (4985 m), as well as the Pigott ( 4958 m) three more top ten mountain giants in Africa.

The four Ruwenzori representatives of the 10 highest mountains in Africa

Like Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, the Congolese-Ugandan border mountains Ruwenzori have become part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site because of their ecological importance. The mountain range is named after the name for “rainmaker” in the language of the Ugandan batoro. Mount Stanley, rising exactly on the border of Uganda and DR Congo, with its twin peaks Margherita Peak (5109 m) and Alexandra Peak (5019 m) is considered the highest mountain in the range and the highest non-volcanic mountain in Africa.

Like Mount Stanley, the next higher Ruwenzori Mountains Mount Speke (4890 m), Mount Baker (4844) (both Uganda) and Mount Emin (4789 m) (DR Congo) are named after European explorers. Mount Emin got its name after the Prussian Africa explorer Eduard Schnitzer (Mehmed Emin Pascha) (1840-1892). All the giant mountains of the Ruwenzori Mountains, rising above the tree line of 4000 m, had large glaciers throughout until the beginning of the 20th century. Its scope has decreased dramatically since then. The glacier of Mount Emin has already completely disappeared, only Mount Stanley still has glacier regions of greater importance.

Recommended Posts

Latest Articles

  • Dove Creek, Colorado Dove Creek, Colorado May 29, 2023 - Dove Creek, Colorado is an unincorporated town located in the southwestern corner of the state. Situated in Dolores County, the town is surrounded by rolling hills and desert mesas that… Read more
  • Bullock County, Alabama Bullock County, Alabama May 22, 2023 - Bullock County is located in the southeastern corner of Alabama. It is bordered by Macon County to the north, Barbour County to the east, and Pike County to the south.… Read more
  • Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska Fairbanks North Star Borough, Alaska May 15, 2023 - Fairbanks North Star Borough is a borough located in the northernmost region of Alaska. The borough encompasses an area of approximately 7,400 square miles and is home to more than… Read more
  • Gila County, Arizona Gila County, Arizona May 8, 2023 - Gila County, Arizona is located in the south-central part of the state. It is bordered by Yavapai County to the north, Maricopa County to the west and Pinal County to… Read more
  • Baxter County, Arkansas Baxter County, Arkansas May 1, 2023 - Baxter County, Arkansas is located in the north central part of the state and is bordered by Marion County to the north, Izard County to the east, Stone County to… Read more
  • Blanca, Colorado Blanca, Colorado Population, Schools and Places of Interest April 17, 2023 - Blanca, Colorado is located in the San Luis Valley and is bordered by several towns and cities. To the north lies Fort Garland which is a small town located on… Read more
  • Bantam, Connecticut Bantam, Connecticut Population, Schools and Places of Interest April 15, 2023 - Bantam, Connecticut is a small town located in the northwest corner of the state, bordering New York and Massachusetts. The town was established in 1779 and is now home to… Read more
  • Bauxite, Arkansas Bauxite, Arkansas April 10, 2023 - According to jibin123, Bauxite, Arkansas is a small town located in Saline County in the Central part of the state. The town is situated in the foothills of the Ouachita… Read more
  • Alpine County, California Alpine County, California April 3, 2023 - Alpine County, California is located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range and is bordered by El Dorado County to the north, Amador County to the east, Calaveras County to the… Read more
  • Adams County, Colorado Adams County, Colorado March 27, 2023 - Adams County, Colorado is located in the north-central region of the state. It is bordered by Jefferson County to the north, Denver County to the east, Arapahoe County to the… Read more