Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain, but it is far from the continent's only major trekking destination. From the glaciated peaks of Mount Kenya to the volcanic summit of Mount Cameroon, Africa has mountain routes crossing rainforests, alpine valleys, desert plateaus and ancient volcanic landscapes.
Some of these mountains rise above 4,000 metres, while others are known for their unusual rock formations, dramatic escarpments or cultural significance. Several are located within national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The following 14 mountain trekking destinations cover East, West, North, Central and Southern Africa. Heights refer to the highest summit or principal peak of each mountain, and trekking conditions vary by route, season and local access restrictions.
1. Mount Kenya – Kenya
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Elevation: 5,199 metres Highest summit: Batian
Mount Kenya is Africa's second-highest mountain and Kenya's highest peak. The extinct volcano has three prominent summits: Batian, Nelion and Point Lenana.
Point Lenana, at approximately 4,985 metres, is the mountain's best-known trekking summit. Batian and Nelion require technical mountaineering.
Popular routes include Sirimon, Chogoria and Naro Moru. The mountain's landscape changes from montane forest and bamboo zones to moorland, alpine valleys and rocky summit terrain.
Mount Kenya National Park and its surrounding forest areas form part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
2. Rwenzori Mountains – Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Elevation: 5,109 metres Highest summit: Margherita Peak, Mount Stanley
The Rwenzori Mountains lie along the Uganda–DR Congo border and contain Africa's third-highest mountain summit.
Unlike volcanic mountains such as Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya, the Rwenzori range was formed through tectonic uplift.
The mountains are known for glaciers, giant lobelias, heather forests and high-altitude wetlands.
Uganda's Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Treks to the highest peaks involve challenging terrain, and Margherita Peak requires technical glacier travel.
3. Mount Toubkal – Morocco
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Elevation: 4,167 metres Mountain range: High Atlas
Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain in Morocco and North Africa.
Located in the High Atlas Mountains south of Marrakech, it is one of the continent's established high-altitude trekking destinations.
The mountain is usually approached through Imlil, a village that serves as a gateway to the surrounding mountain valleys.
The landscape includes rocky slopes, mountain settlements and snow-covered terrain during colder months.
The summit is within Toubkal National Park.
4. Ras Dashen – Ethiopia
Elevation: Approximately 4,550 meters Location: Simien Mountains
Ras Dashen, also written Ras Dejen, is Ethiopia's highest mountain.
It lies within the Simien Mountains, a landscape known for steep escarpments, high plateaus and deep valleys.
The wider region provides habitat for gelada monkeys, Ethiopian wolves and Walia ibex.
Simien Mountains National Park was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978.
Multi-day trekking routes traditionally pass through highland settlements and mountain camps before reaching the summit area.
5. Mount Meru – Tanzania
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Elevation: 4,566 meters Location: Arusha National Park
Mount Meru is Tanzania's second-highest mountain after Kilimanjaro.
The mountain is an active stratovolcano with a large crater and a dramatic summit ridge.
Its established trekking route begins in Arusha National Park and passes through forest, grassland and higher volcanic terrain.
Wildlife found on the lower slopes includes buffaloes, giraffes and various primates.
The summit, Socialist Peak, overlooks the crater and surrounding northern Tanzanian landscape.
6. Mount Cameroon – Cameroon
Elevation: Approximately 4,040 metres Location: Southwest Region
Mount Cameroon is one of Africa's highest active volcanoes and the highest mountain in West and Central Africa.
The mountain rises near the Gulf of Guinea and is known for its steep slopes, volcanic rock and changing vegetation zones.
Its summit area contains lava fields and evidence of past eruptions.
Mount Cameroon has erupted repeatedly in recorded history, including in 1999 and 2000.
The mountain is also associated with the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, an established mountain-running competition.
7. Drakensberg Mountains – South Africa and Lesotho
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Highest elevation: Approximately 3,482 metres Highest summit: Thabana Ntlenyana, Lesotho
The Drakensberg mountain system extends across eastern South Africa and Lesotho.
It includes towering basalt cliffs, grassland plateaus, waterfalls and extensive hiking routes.
Popular trekking areas include the Amphitheatre, Cathedral Peak and Giant's Castle.
The Maloti-Drakensberg Park is recognised by UNESCO for its natural landscape and San rock-art heritage.
The mountain system includes routes ranging from short day walks to multi-day wilderness traverses.
8. Mount Elgon – Uganda and Kenya
Elevation: 4,321 metres Highest summit: Wagagai
Mount Elgon is an ancient volcanic mountain located along the Kenya–Uganda border.
Its highest summit, Wagagai, is on the Ugandan side.
The mountain has a broad volcanic caldera and supports forests, moorlands and alpine vegetation.
Mount Elgon is also known for caves, including Kitum Cave on the Kenyan side, where elephants have been observed entering to obtain minerals.
Trekking routes operate through protected areas on both sides of the border.
9. Mount Nyiragongo – Democratic Republic of the Congo
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Elevation: Approximately 3,470 metres Location: Virunga Mountains
Mount Nyiragongo is an active volcano in eastern DR Congo, north of Goma.
It became internationally known for its persistent lava lake, although the lava lake's condition has changed following volcanic activity.
Major eruptions occurred in 1977, 2002 and 2021.
The mountain is located within Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourist trekking operations have historically been offered, but armed conflict, volcanic hazards and park restrictions have affected access. It should not be treated as a routinely accessible trekking destination.
10. Mount Mulanje – Malawi
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Elevation: Approximately 3,002 metres Highest summit: Sapitwa
Mount Mulanje is a large granite massif in southern Malawi.
It rises sharply above the surrounding plains and contains numerous peaks, valleys and forested slopes.
Sapitwa is the highest point in Malawi.
The mountain is known for its hiking trails, mountain huts and distinctive plant communities, including the endemic Mulanje cedar.
Mulanje's terrain includes exposed rock, steep valleys and rapidly changing mountain weather.
11. Mount Binga – Mozambique
Elevation: Approximately 2,436 metres Location: Chimanimani Mountains
Mount Binga is Mozambique's highest mountain.
It lies within the Chimanimani mountain system along the border with Zimbabwe.
The surrounding landscape includes rugged quartzite mountains, grasslands, rocky ridges and river valleys.
The Chimanimani region supports distinctive plant species and important biodiversity.
Trekking in the area is associated with remote mountain terrain and relatively limited tourism infrastructure compared with more established African trekking destinations.
12. Mount Karisimbi – Rwanda and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Elevation: 4,507 metres Location: Virunga Mountains
Mount Karisimbi is the highest volcano in the Virunga mountain range.
It lies along the Rwanda–DR Congo border and forms part of the volcanic landscape associated with mountain gorilla conservation.
The mountain is located within Rwanda's Volcanoes National Park and the neighbouring Congolese protected-area system.
Its vegetation includes bamboo forests, montane habitats and high-altitude zones.
Karisimbi is one of Rwanda's established multi-day mountain trekking destinations.
13. Jebel Marra – Sudan
Elevation: Approximately 3,000 metres Location: Darfur
Jebel Marra is a volcanic mountain massif in western Sudan.
Its landscape includes highland valleys, volcanic formations and the Deriba crater complex.
The mountains support cooler and wetter conditions than much of the surrounding Darfur region.
Jebel Marra has long been associated with agriculture and settlements in its highland valleys.
Ongoing conflict in Sudan makes the region unsuitable for ordinary tourism, and the mountain should be regarded as a geographical destination rather than an accessible leisure trek under current conditions.
14. Mount Nimba – Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia
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Elevation: Approximately 1,752 metres Location: Mount Nimba range
Mount Nimba is the highest mountain in Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire.
The mountain range extends across Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia.
Its habitats include montane grasslands, forests and ecosystems supporting numerous endemic species.
The Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site shared by Guinea and Côte d'Ivoire.
Access to the protected core is strictly controlled, and the UNESCO property has long been listed as World Heritage in Danger.
