Highest mountains in Kenya: When you mention Kenya to a foreign national, 5 things come to their mind instantaneously; Athletics, Ethnicity, Corruption, tourism and the salaciousness and voluptuousness that Kenyan women boost of—not necessarily in that order.
One thing that our beloved country boost of however is that it is tourist haven with a variety of attractions, from beautiful and breath taking sceneries to mountains, valleys and gorges that give tourists audacious tasks which they consider milestones if they manage to achieve.
One of the most celebrated top-notch tourist attractions is mountains and Mount Kenya has for long been the girl to beauty putting all the other contestants to shame and envy.
Not any more however as tourists have gradually gained knowledge of other terrific Kenyan mountains thanks to the aggressive marketing of Kenyan’s tourism authorities.
Kenya is home to a large number of mountains located in various parts of the country. It is home to more than 20 different mountains; with the highest being Mount Kenya, which is also the second highest in Africa.
There are other significantly low height mountains across the country’s some of which are not as popular
Below is a list of the tallest mountains in Kenya, together with a brief description, location and image of the same.
- Mount Kenya – 5199m
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in the country and it was named by Dr Johann L. Krapf in 1849. It was formed about 3 million years ago and it was for long covered by ice cap, before it was eroded by years of glaciations. It is a natural ecosystem, hosting wildlife and natural forests which act as significant water catchment areas. It is the original source of major Kenyan rivers such as Tana, Sagana, Tigithi, Ruthagati, Thegu and Gura among many more.
Batian is the highest peak of the mountain at 17,057 feet, but there are other peaks including Nelion at 17,021 feet and Lenana at 16,355 feet.
2.Mount Elgon – 4,321m
Mount Elgon is the second highest mountain in Kenya. It is located along the Kenya-Uganda boundary. It is estimated to be about 24 million years old and is the seventeenth highest mountain in the continent. The highest peak of the mountain, Wagaga, lies in Uganda and elevates to 14,177 feet. Other than Wagaga, the mountain has four other peaks namely Sudek at 14,114 feet, Koitobos at an elevation of 13,852 feet, Mbuiyi elevated to 13,816 feet, and Masaba standing at 13,652 feet.
- Mount Satima – 4,001m (Aberdare ranges)
Mount Satima is the highest elevation in the Aberdare mountain ranges in Kenya.
Satima is a masaai word derived from the phrases Oldonyo Satima which means ‘mountain of the bull calf’The northern side of the mountain is the host to the mountain’s highest peak at 13,127 feet. It serves as the water catchment area for both the Sasumua dam and Ndakaini, serving millions of people living in Nairobi City and its environs.
The entire mountain is characterized by tussock grass and a bluff of rocks. It has a characteristic rainforest hat transitions into a thick bamboo forest followed by moorland. The region is host to over 150 species of plants including Podo and Cedar.
- Mount Kinangop – 3,906 m
Mount Kinangop is the fourth highest mountain in Kenya located in Kinangop, Nyandarua County.
This mountain is the reason why Nyandarua county receives favourably weather conditions throughout the year as it is one of the significant influencers of the weather conditions around the region with the leeward side facing the central Nyandarua and its environs. Due to its strategic location in the county, the area is characterized by cold weather conditions and throughout the year rainy seasons.
- Mount Eburru – 2,856m Located in Nakuru County, Mount Eburru is one of the most iconic features in the county. It serves a significant role mainly as a water catchment source due to its natural forestation and other plantation. The streams that flow from the mountain is a source of water for farmers downstream who depend on agriculture as their primary source of income and livelihoods.
Other mountains include:-
- Mount Ng’iro – 2,848m
- Mount Longonot – 2,776m
- Mount Silali – 2,355m
- Mount Kulal – 2,285m
- Mount Ol donyo Sabuk – 2,149m
- Mount Homa – 1,751m
- Mount Marsabit – 1,707m
