Africa’s mountains and hills provide wonderful terrain for climbing, with options ranging from tackling some of the world’s great peaks to gentler climbs amid high hill scenery.  Among the best options are those found in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi and South Africa.

‘Mountains of the Moon’, in the Rwenzori mountain range on the Uganda – Rwanda border

Many of these mountains and hills have remarkably diverse ecosystems and vegetation, with marked changes as the altitude increases. The variety of habitats provides good wildlife and bird watching, with outstanding scenery, too, in many places.

Kenya

With a landscape formed by volcanic and tectonic activity, Kenya has some stunningly beautiful mountains and hill ranges. Mt Kenya, the second highest peak in Africa and an extinct volcano itself, offers a fantastic technical climb to the very summit as well as excellent highland hiking around the peak itself.

Lion at Borana Lodge with Mount Kenya in the background

In addition, Mt Elgon, the Mathews and Ndoto Mountains, the Chyulu Hills and the Loita Hills all have beautiful country for climbs and hill walks, often supported by camels or donkeys, along with local Masai or Samburu to guide you.

The scenery is stunning, and the locations are seriously remote, allowing you to feel as if you are the first explorers to see these wild and incredibly beautiful places. You are also likely to see significant amounts of wildlife on such expeditions.

Giraffe in the Chyulu Hills, Ol Donyo Lodge, Kenya

We asked James Christian of Karisia Safaris, Kenyan walking safari specialists, for his view on climbing in Kenya:  ‘Climbing here is fun and we have all levels from beginners to extreme. We have been guiding rock climbing since we began the company in 2003. We ‘top rope’ from paired drilled anchors and we have a number of set routes for the beginner to the experienced climber. We take safety very seriously using only the best and newest equipment and have climbing instructors routinely come in to audit our routes, equipment and techniques. As an added bonus we often have giraffe and elephant milling about the base of the hill to watch our skills.

Rock climbing with Karisia Safaris, Laikipia, Kenya

There’s also the Mt Kenya Climbing Gym, with three 40 foot walls and a choice of climbs to enjoy, in Nanyuki before going on safari or to practice on before heading up Mt Kenya.  The bouldering room will be ready soon and perfect for honing skills and having fun.’

Tanzania

Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest free standing mountain, a massive presence towering over the wildlife filled plains below. Reaching the summit is a challenge that’s beautifully poised between adventure and ordeal. It is wise to take a week or more to climb Kilimanjaro, to allow yourself time to adjust to the altitude and give your body the best chance of reaching Uhuru Peak, the top of Africa. Please see our Kilimanjaro Climb pages for detailed information.

Mount Kilimanjaro towering over the plains

Mt Meru, Kilimanjaro’s slightly smaller neighbour is a less daunting yet very satisfying alternative, and can be summited in a four day trip. Ol Donyo Lengai, the Mountain of God, Tanzania’s only active volcano, on the edge of the Great Rift Valley is a good one or two day challenge.

Views of Mount Meru from Hatari Lodge, Arusha, Tanzania

Elsewhere in Tanzania, long treks are possible across the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands, around Lake Eyasi, and in the Loliondo region adjacent to the Serengeti in the company of the local Masai and Hadza people. Out in the west, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, the Mahale Mountains are incredible, rising straight from the immense depth of the lake to a height of more than 1000 metres above it. Trekking here has the added bonus of the chance to see chimpanzees.

Entamanu Ngorongoro Lodge, perfectly placed for walking in the Crater Highlands

Malawi

As well as the high altitude moorland of Nyika Plateau, Malawi has several beautiful massifs which lend themselves to hill walks and climbs of between two and five days.  Zomba and Mulanje are the notable ones, both of which have fantastic scenery, and varied habitats. Three to five days is a great way to explore Mulanje especially, with its deep valleys and cedar forests, as well as rivers and open moorland towards the summit.

Zebra on the Nyika Plateau, Malawi

Nyika Plateau is a huge expanse of wildlife rich open country at around 8,000 feet above sea level, and trekking here is an excellent way to see the land. The Livingstonia trail is a three day walk from Chelinda Lodge on Nyika down to Livingstonia, a mission named after David Livingstone established in 1894.

Rwanda

As an additional activity during a gorilla safari it’s great to hike in the mountains here, with the southern slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes offering great scenery and good terrain for a full day trek. It is relatively simple to reach the summit of Sabyinyo in a one day walk. Elsewhere the Nyungwe forest is a large expanse of pristine rainforest with plentiful hiking  trails; four or five nights here would allow time to explore numerous parts of the forest, while using different routes each day.

Treetop canopy walk, Nyungwe Forest, One&Only Nyungwe House

South Africa

South Africa’s iconic Drakensberg Mountains extend for more than 1,000 miles from the eastern edge of the Cape Province almost to the border with Zimbabwe, and provide all sorts of climbing and hiking options.

Cleopatra’s Mountain Farmhouse, Drakensberg, South Africa

The Cederberg Mountains, to the north of Cape Town, are dramatic, wild and rugged, and have some terrific hiking country, with a warmer climate than the coast and plenty of other activities on offer as well.

Exploring the Cederberg Mountains from Bushmans Kloof

For something completely different, there’s South Africa’s first long distance pilgrimage trail – the Abbot Pfanner Trappist Trail.  Running through through the southern regions of Kwa-Zulu Natal it connects a string of 22 Trappist missions established over century ago.

Abbot Pfanner Trappist Trail, Kwa-Zulu Natal

Uganda

Hiking in the Rwenzori Mountains, Ptolemy’s fabled Mountains of the Moon, which tower over the frontier between Uganda’s East African savannahs and the immense tract of tropical forest in the Congo basin is a magical experience. The contrast of mountains tipped with ice and snow, and the lower slopes clothed in rainforest is quite remarkable. The middle levels host numerous African montane species, such as giant lobelia and groundsel.  It’s possible to hike for a day or a week here, visiting places that few others ever have.

Mountain scenery, Gahinga Lodge, Uganda

The north side of the Virunga Volcanoes also straddle the border between Uganda and Rwanda, and there is some wonderful mountain walking to be had to the summit of Sabyinyo, or its neighbour Muhavura, in the form of part or full day treks.

Any questions on a climbing and hiking safari in Africa?

If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.

What next?

We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions about visiting an area with wild dogs or other iconic African predators. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call.

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