Mount Kilimanjaro Height: How Tall Is Africa’s Highest Peak?

Mount Kilimanjaro Height

Reading time : 8 min

Outline

Introduction

Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa, stands at an official height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level. This makes it the highest free-standing mountain in the world—meaning it is not part of a mountain range.

Height of Kilimanjaro's Three Volcanic Cones

Kilimanjaro consists of three volcanic cones, each with different elevations:

Volcanic ConeHeight (Meters)Height (Feet)Status
Kibo (Uhuru Peak)5,895m19,341ftDormant (highest point)
Mawenzi5,149m16,893ftExtinct
Shira3,962m13,000ftExtinct (eroded)

Kibo is the highest point, where climbers reach Uhuru Peak—the summit of Kilimanjaro

Has Kilimanjaro’s Height Changed?

Yes! In 1952, Kilimanjaro’s height was recorded at 5,892 meters (19,330 feet). However, modern GPS measurements in 2008 confirmed the new official height as 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).

Additionally, Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are shrinking due to climate change, which may impact future height measurements.

How Does Kilimanjaro Compare to Other Famous Mountains?

MountainHeight (Meters)Height (Feet)Location
Mount Everest8,849m29,032ftNepal/Tibet
Mount Kilimanjaro5,895m19,341ftTanzania
Mount McKinley (Denali)6,190m20,310ftUSA (Alaska)
Mont Blanc4,809m15,778ftFrance/Italy

While Kilimanjaro is not the highest in the world, it is the tallest free-standing mountain and the highest in Africa.

Conclusion

Mount Kilimanjaro’s 5,895m (19,341ft) height makes it an iconic challenge for climbers worldwide. Its towering presence over the African plains and unique volcanic cones make it one of the most famous mountains globally.

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