10 Highest Mountains In Africa (List of Tallest African Peaks)

On the African continent lie plains, mountains, valleys, rivers, and desserts. According to an overview of the physical geography of Africa, most of the mountains were formed as a result of volcanic activities.

The mountains provide a home to both wildlife and humans. This list will provide you with information about the ten highest mountains in Africa.

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#10 - Mount Oku (3,011 meters)

Height in feet (US): 9,879

Do you find volcanoes scary? If you do, then this mountain is not for you. Mount Oku is a volcanic mountain found in Cameroon and is the second-highest in West Africa.

It is not the only one, but it is the largest volcano in the Oku Massif range. Locals however say that this mountain is not dangerous. It provides a very enjoyable hike with indigenous birds and the very beautiful Lake Oku to see on the way up.

#9 - Mount Meru (3,017 meters)

Height in feet (US): 9,898

Here is another volcano. Mount Meru is a dormant stratovolcano found in Tanzania. It is the second-largest volcano in Tanzania.

Fun fact or should I say scary fact, Mount Meru had a minor eruption in 1910 which means that it can erupt at any time. The slopes of Mount Meru serve as a home to a variety of wildlife inclusive of birds, monkeys, and leopards.

#8 - Jabel Marra (3,042 meters)

Height in feet (US): 9,980

The Jabel Marra is a long line of volcanic peaks located in Sudan. The highest peak in this range is the Deriba Caldera which rises to a height of 9,980 ft. Jebel Marra, Sudanese Arabic when translated to English means “woman mountains.” Locals say the range when viewed from the southeast resembles a reclining woman.

#7 - The Drakensberg (3,475 meters)

Height in feet (US): 11,400

The Drakensburg is the name of the portion of the Great Escarpment located in South Africa and Lesotho. Its highest peak, Thabana Ntlenyana, is located in Lesotho.

Thabana Ntlenyana when translated means little mountain which is quite ironic because it is the highest point in Lesotho and the highest mountain in South Africa.

What a lucky mountain, to be in two countries at the same time. The range, however, got its name from the Dutch and when translated means “Mountains of Dragons.”

#6 - Atlas Mountains (4,165 meters)

Height in feet (US): 13,671

The Atlas Mountains is a range of mountains in the Maghreb. This range stretches across not one, not two but three countries in North Africa. These countries are Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.

Its highest range Jebel Toubhkal rises up to 4,165 meters or 13,671 ft and is found in Morocco. The Atlas Mountains are the habitats of plant and animal species such as Babary macaque and the Atlas Mountain badger which are indigenous to Africa.

#5 - Mount Elgon (4,321 meters) or 14,177ft

Height in feet (US): 14,177

Mount Elgon is another volcanic mountain located in Uganda and Kenya. We all can breathe a sigh of relief for this one as it is extinct. Wagagai, its highest point, is located within Uganda.

Mount Elgon intact caldera is one of the largest in the world. The caldera also has hot springs that make the journey to the top of the mountain worthwhile. The slopes of Mount Elgon are home to the Bantu-speaking Gishu people.

#4 - Simien Mountains (4,533 meters)

Height in feet (US): 14,930

The Simien Mountains are found in northern Ethiopia. They form a part of the Ethiopian Highlands. They are called the Simien Mountains but there are a whole lot of things going on up there. Plateaus, separated by valleys are found at the peaks.

The highest peak is Ras Dashen. The Simien Mountains are pretty special as they are a World Heritage Site. Ethiopian wolves, gelada, and caracal are few of the animals that call the Simien Mountains home. An interesting fact about the Simean Mountains is that snow regularly falls at the peak.

#3 - Mount Stanley (5,109 meters)

Height in feet (US): 16,765

Mount Stanley is the highest mountain for both the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. At 5,109 m (16,765 ft) it is the third highest mountain in Africa and is so high that glaciers can be found at the top.

Apparently, there are no sunny days on this mountain as it is almost always covered in mists and experiences frequent rainfall accompanied by thunder and lightning. The mountain was named after Henry Morton Stanley, an explorer, who discovered it in 1888.

#2 - Mount Kenya (5,199 meters)

Height in feet (US): 17,057

Did the country get its name from the mountain or did the mountain get its name from the country? Reaching up to 5,199 m (17, 057 ft), Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa.

The Batian peak is its highest peak. The answer to the very thought-provoking question asked, the Republic of Kenya got its name from Mount Kenya.

Mount Kenya, a stratovolcano, is covered in ice. This mountain serves as the life source for the Kikuyu, Maasai, and Embu peoples.

#1 - Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 meters)

Height in feet (US): 19,341

The big, bad Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano with three volcanic cones with Kibo its highest peak. I know where I won’t be going. It rises up to 5,895 m (19, 341ft) making it the highest mountain in Tanzania and on the continent of Africa.

Despite having three volcanic cones and being a dormant volcano, many brave hearted people hike to the top of the mountain every year. It really is not that dangerous to hike though, the only deaths that occur on the mountain are due to acute mountain sickness and the rare freak storm.

So do not be afraid to take a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro, who knows you might just see me on the way up one day in the very far future.

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List of Highest Mountain Peaks in Africa

Sources: Peaklist.org