Rwenzori vs Kilimanjaro vs Mount Kenya : which is Africa’s ultimate climbing experience?
Africa is home to three legendary summits that attract trekkers from all over the world: the free-standing giant Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the rugged, technical massif of Mount Kenya, and the mystical, snow-capped range of the Rwenzori Mountains (Mountains of the Moon) in Uganda.
All three are challenging treks and have great views, but they cater to different types of adventurers. The definition of the “ultimate” climbing experience is entirely dependent on a trekker’s objectives, how comfortable they are with crowds, and the level of technical skill they possess.
Kilimanjaro: The Non-Technical Giant and the Crowds.
Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain at 5895m, and probably the most well-known trekking destination on the continent. Kilimanjaro appeals to visitors in part due to its accessibility and its sheer size.
It is classified as a non-technical walk-up, where no specialist mountaineering skills or equipment (ropes/ice axes, among many others) are required before reaching the summit, which means any fit person willing to address the altitude and complete the multi-day hike can complete the climb.
However, with accessibility comes the crowds. Kilimanjaro is the busiest of the three, with hundreds of trekkers on the slopes during the peak trekking season. The experience can be very commercialized, and while the view from the summit is spectacular, it is unlikely to be a solitary experience.
Kilimanjaro is undoubtedly the best selection for the traveler who wants to be on the top of Africa (the roof of Africa) but without technical mountaineering abilities. But they’re also willing to sacrifice solitude just to reach the summit.
Mount Kenya: The Technical Challenge and Rugged Beauty.
Mount Kenya, the second-highest peak in Africa at 5,199m, provides a totally different experience. The popular trekking route brings climbers up to Point Lenana (4,985m), the highest non-technical climbing point on the mountain, but the tall summits (Batian and Nelion) are technical rock climbs that demand a level of skill with some serious mountaineering. This immediately rules out a significant number of climbers, making the lower slopes and standard trekking routes widely less busy than Kilimanjaro.
Regardless of the experience level, the landscape here is rugged, beautiful and filled with sheer rock faces, tarns (mountain lakes), and impressive alpine flora. Ultimately, Mount Kenya is a perfect option for the adventurer: living at high altitude and having a much less busy trail system in pristine mountain environments.
For someone who enjoys challenges and varied terrain and who wants to explore within a less commercialized mountaineering environment, Mount Kenya is an incredible option, and someone can push themselves to their limits without even glacier travel (unless one actually pursues the main peaks).
The Rwenzori Mountains: Pristine Wilderness and Unique Ecosystem.
The Rwenzori Mountain range is Africa’s best-kept alpine secret. it is located slightly north of the equator, and it is famous for its permanent glaciers, unique environment, and isolation from civilization.
Climbing to the highest point of the range, Margherita Peak (5,109m) on Mount Stanley, requires technical climbing skills and equipment such as ropes, harnesses, crampons, and ice axes to cross the glacier.
The Rwenzori’s defining feature is its surreal Afro-alpine flora. Trekkers move through dense forests, deep bogs, and misty slopes carpeted with giant heathers, giant lobelias, and giant groundsels, all of which create an astonishing, prehistoric experience.
The Rwenzori provides a complete wilderness experience for trekkers, as you may see fewer trekkers on your routes and experience daily conditions that are challenging (mud, rain and cold) and the reward of travel through genuine technical and glaciated terrain.
The Rwenzori is the ultimate choice for an experienced climber not just seeking the highest peak in Africa, but also for solitude in a region of ecological wonder, and of course a total expedition feel, other than just climbing to the maximum altitude of the highest peak.
