Beyond Kilimanjaro, here are 5 African peaks with epic views
The “Roof of Africa” is the continent’s most climbed peak—which often means trekking in the company of crowds. These five climbs offer under-the-radar alternatives with challenging trails and wild landscapes.
Mist clung to the moss-covered, rain-soaked valleys of Uganda’s Rwenzori Mountains, where the only sound was the rush of glacial streams and the call of distant birds. A world away, climbers on Mount Kilimanjaro—Africa’s tallest peak at 19,341 feet—stand above the clouds, gazing across the plains of Tanzania and Kenya.
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro tops the bucket lists of many adventurous travelers. The “Roof of Africa” receives 30,000 to 50,000 visitors each year, making it the continent’s most climbed peak. Water shortages, mounting waste, and high demand put pressure on its ecosystems. Summiting Kilimanjaro also comes with a hefty price tag ($2,000 to $6,000), a significant time commitment (typically five to nine days), and often means trekking in the company of crowds.
Eastern Africa offers many towering peaks beyond Kilimanjaro for thrilling climbs through diverse landscapes. Many see only a few thousand visitors each year, so trekkers are often alone. On your next trip to the region, consider these five alternative treks for an off-grid adventure that supports local communities and allows you to summit in solitude.
Rwenzori Mountains, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Nicknamed the Mountains of the Moon, the Rwenzoris extend for 75 miles across southwestern Uganda along the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Margherita Peak, the highest point in the Rwenzori Mountains and the third-highest on the continent, soars at 16,762 feet. Today, Rwenzori Mountains National Park receives an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 people each year—a fraction of Kilimanjaro’s visitors. “There are times that you can literally be alone on the mountain,” says Vincent Mugaba, co-founder of Uganda-based Nandi Adventures.
All three routes begin in Ruboni village, home to the Bakonzo people, and pass through the coffee farms. For many local families, multi-day treks are among the main sources of income, alongside farming. "Trekking has changed how the mountains are seen locally,” says Lydia Eva Mpanga, founder of Nkuringo Safaris. “Because their livelihoods depend on a healthy ecosystem, many Bakonzo have become very active in conservation. When you hire a local team, you’re not just getting up a peak; you’re directly paying school fees and small business projects in the communities.”
From lush villages, the trail climbs through montane forest, bamboo, moss- and lichen-draped heather, and afro-alpine zones dotted with otherworldly plants like coral pink ground orchids and spire-shaped giant lobelias. “You move through an entire equatorial mountain range on the border of Uganda and the DRC, with long valley systems, high passes, and several major peaks over 13,123 feet,” says Mpanga. And if you choose to go all the way to the top—a climb that’s become more technical with climate change—you’ll find glaciers and icy, rocky terrain.
Choose between a one-day hike all the way up to a 10-day climb. Mugaba suggests a three- or four-day hike is ideal to experience the unique ecosystems without undertaking the full seven-to-10-day adventure to Margherita Peak.
Mount Kenya, Kenya
Claiming the title as the second-highest peak in Africa, Mount Kenya is an ancient volcano standing at 17,057 feet in Central Kenya with three main peaks. Point Lenana (16,354 feet) is the most accessible of the three, while Batian (the highest at 17,057 feet) and Nelion (17,021 feet) require more technical mountaineering skills.
The mountain is central to the local community, which depends heavily on Mount Kenya’s rivers for its agriculture. “We grew up hearing stories about the mountain. Our livelihoods rely on the mountain,” reflects Francis Kioni, a seasoned guide with Adventure Alternative who has climbed Mount Kenya multiple times a year since 2000. Naro Moru is the most popular of the three main routes, although all three have sleeping and cooking huts, water access, and solar power for charging electronics. While tackling Mount Kenya in four days is possible, Kioni recommends five days to allow hikers time to acclimate. “Go at your own pace,” he advises. “Don’t rush. Enjoy the mountain.”
Mount Kenya spans six ecological zones, from savannah—where buffalo and elephants are sometimes spotted—to bamboo forests and high-altitude African alpine landscapes, dotted with giant groundsels, which are prehistoric-looking plants often likened to cabbage. The summit is no less impressive. “When you’re on top of the mountain, you’re above the clouds,” Kioni says. “On a clear day, you can see Kilimanjaro and other mountains.”
Mount Meru, Tanzania
Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest mountain, stands at 14,980 feet. Although Meru is often hailed as a substitute for avid hikers seeking a quieter and more pocket-friendly climb than Kilimanjaro, it shouldn’t be considered secondary to its taller neighbor. Meru is worthy of praise in its own right.
The active volcano is distinguished by its massive crater and can typically be tackled over three or four days. “A lot of people discount Mount Meru, but in many ways, it’s epic. It’s very dramatic and seeing Kilimanjaro from the top of Meru is special,” says Gavin Bate, founder of Adventure Alternative. He has well over 100 summits of Kilimanjaro, Meru, and Mount Kenya under his belt. Meru has also traditionally been used as a training ground for Kilimanjaro climbers.
The striking peak is sacred among the Waarusha/Meru people, who live on the mountain slopes and have long performed rituals at its base. Mount Meru is distinguished by its diverse ecosystems and abundant wildlife, thanks to its location within Arusha National Park. “The trail is filled with wild animals,” says Brian Sipira, a Tanzanian guide and founder of Kilimanjaro On Foot. “The mountain is in the middle of Arusha National Park. You can spot buffalo herds and see giraffes crossing Lake Duluti.”
Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda and DRC
Five of the eight major volcanoes in the Virunga Mountains are in northwestern Rwanda. The tallest of the Virunga range is Mount Karisimbi, a dormant stratovolcano that sits at 14,787 feet on the border of Rwanda and the DRC. Among local communities, Karisimbi—the name which comes from a Kinyarwanda word meaning “snow” or “white shell”—holds deep significance. The volcano is home to spirits and is considered sacred in Rwandan folklore.
Over two days, climbers pass through five vegetation zones, from dense tropical rainforest to bamboo thickets and afro-alpine moorland punctuated by giant lobelias. You will climb all the way to the top on the first day, with an optional stop at Dian Fossey’s grave, where you can pay tribute to the life and work of the revered conservationist.
Birders should watch for endemic birds on the lower slopes, such as the Rwenzori Turaco and the Archer's Ground Robin. There’s also a chance of spotting primates, including mountain gorillas and golden monkeys, which live in the slopes of Volcanoes National Park—though of course, sightings are not guaranteed. From the summit, savor views of the surrounding volcanoes, including the glowing lava lake of Mount Nyiragongo in the DRC on a clear day, before heading down the next morning.
Mount Elgon, Kenya and Uganda
Estimated to be at least 24 million years old, Mount Elgon is the oldest volcanic mountain in Eastern Africa, straddling the Kenya–Uganda border. The mountain has five major peaks, and its highest point, Wagagai (14,177 ft), is in Uganda. Derived from a Maasai term “Ol Doinyo Loo'lgoon,” meaning "the mountain of breasts,” Elgon is one of the largest free-standing volcanoes in the world. Mount Elgon and the surrounding ecosystems hold deep significance for local communities, including the Yatui Caves, where burial and naming rituals take place.
Located in Mount Elgon National Park, the mountain’s biodiversity is particularly noteworthy and is recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in both Uganda and Kenya. The mountain’s lower-elevation region is enveloped by savannah plains, which gradually give way to woodlands and green, montane forest. Wagagai Peak is reachable in four days, with several hours of steep, muddy climbing each day.
You’ll climb through bamboo, heath, and moorland ecosystems, cross the caldera where endemic flora like giant lobelias thrive, and pass hot springs in the Suam Gorge—where trekkers can soak tired muscles in mineral-rich waters.
(Off the coast of Africa, Cape Verde is a surprising hiking hot spot.)
