What is the tallest mountain in Africa?

The tallest mountain in Africa is Kilimanjaro. Its elevation is 5895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. The mountain is located in Kilimanjaro National Park in northern Tanzania in East Africa.

Kilimanjaro is also the highest free-standing mountain in the world. This means it is not part of any mountain range, unlike, for example, Everest in the Himalayas, Mont Blanc in the Alps, or Denali in the Alaska Range. How is that possible? Kilimanjaro formed as a volcano, rising from the surrounding plains. Interestingly, it is also the tallest volcano in the entire Eastern Hemisphere.

Africa’s tallest mountain is a massif made of three volcanic cones:

• Shira with an elevation of 3962 meters (12,999 feet)
• Mawenzi — 5149 meters (16,893 feet)
• Kibo — 5895 meters (19,341 feet)

Snow frequently falls on two of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes, Kibo and Mawenzi, because of their high elevation. Near Uhuru Peak lie the mountain’s well-known icefields. However, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are shrinking rapidly and may disappear entirely by the middle of this century.

Frequently asked questions about the tallest mountain in Africa

Where is Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa?

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in northern Tanzania near the border with Kenya. The nearest cities are Moshi and Arusha. Kilimanjaro lies only 340 kilometers (211 miles) from the equator.

Which is taller, Mt Kenya or Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro is taller than Mount Kenya:

• The elevation of Kilimanjaro is 5895 meters (19,341 feet)
• The elevation of Mount Kenya is 5199 meters (17,057 feet)

What is the 2nd tallest mountain in Africa?

The second-tallest mountain in Africa is Mount Kenya. It is located in Kenya, a country named after the mountain itself. With an elevation of 5199 meters (17,057 feet) above sea level, it is 696 meters (2283 feet) lower than Kilimanjaro.

What are the top 5 highest mountains in Africa?

The five highest mountains in Africa are:

• Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), 5895 meters (19,341 feet) 
• Mount Kenya (Kenya), 5199 meters (17,057 feet) 
• Mount Stanley (Uganda and DR Congo), 5109 meters (16,762 feet) 
• Mount Speke (Uganda), 4890 meters (16,043 feet) 
• Mount Baker in Uganda, 4844 meters (15,892 feet)

Why is Mount Kilimanjaro so famous?

Mount Kilimanjaro is famous for being the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It is also famous for its glaciers despite being located in tropical Africa near the equator. Kilimanjaro is one of the Seven Summits and is a popular destination for climbers of all experience levels.

How much does it cost to climb Kilimanjaro per person?

The cost of climbing Kilimanjaro ranges from 2100 USD to 9500 USD, with a realistic average of about 2700 USD for one climber. The final price depends on:

• the type of tour (group or private)
• the route and duration (for example, a five-day Marangu climb is cheaper than an eight-day Northern Circuit)
• the level of comfort (from basic to premium)

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