Expeditions Unlimited blog
At the summit of Mount Stanley at 5109 metres © Clémence Lavigne
The African continent has three major summits, all located in East Africa... In this article, we give you a brief introduction to Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m), Mount Kenya (5199 m) and Mount Stanley (5109 m) in Uganda, respectively the first, second and third highest summits in Africa. Combining several of them in a single expedition is possible, and we have made it our specialty.
Mount Kilimanjaro (5895 m) in Tanzania, the highest summit in Africa
Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro © Myriam Roubinet
Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, to which we have dedicated a complete feature, is the highest point in Africa. The ascent of Kilimanjaro overshadows its close neighbour, Mount Kenya (5199 m), another African volcano well worth the interest. There is a good reason for this: you reach the summit of Kilimanjaro without needing mountaineering techniques. It is quite a different matter for Mount Kenya, whose Lenana Point (4985 m) is the only one that can be climbed by a non-mountaineer. Several routes lead to the summit of Kilimanjaro and the main challenge will be acclimatisation. Read our article on the health and altitude challenges of climbing Kilimanjaro.
Mount Kenya (5199 m), a summit for mountaineers
Batian Point © Adventure Alternative
Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the highest point in Africa, overshadows its close neighbour, Mount Kenya (5199 m), another African volcano well worth the interest. There is a good reason for this: you reach the summit of Kilimanjaro without needing mountaineering techniques. It is quite a different matter for Mount Kenya, whose Lenana Point (4985 m) is the only one that can be climbed by a non-mountaineer.
The two true summits, Batian Peak (5199 m) and Nelion Peak (5188 m), are reserved for experienced mountaineers. On our blog, we have in fact recounted the exploits of a famous roped party, that of the British mountaineers Bill Tilman and his companion Eric Shipton, who in 1931 made a fine traverse of the summits of Mount Kenya. In 1932, the same duo turned their attention to the slopes of Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori massif.
Mount Stanley in the Rwenzori, the third highest summit in Africa
Above Camp 4 towards the summit © Clémence Lavigne
Margherita Point on Mount Stanley (5109 m) in the Rwenzori Mountains (also called the Mountains of the Moon) is the third highest summit in Africa, on the border between Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Rwenzori (or Ruwenzori) Mountains cover a large area and hold the most extensive glacial system in Africa. Unlike Mount Kenya and Kilimanjaro, there is no single, well-defined summit, but two main points, Margherita Peak (named in honour of Queen Margherita of Italy) and Alexandra Peak (5091 m), along with a multitude of secondary peaks. To learn all about this extraordinary ascent, see our trek in the Rwenzori, ascent of Mount Stanley at 5109 metres, gorillas and safaris.