15 Best Hikes in Africa That You Have to Do in Your Lifetime

Welcome fellow hikers!

If you are looking for a hiking adventure in Africa, you have definitely come to the right place. We are here to assist and motivate you in your thrill-seeking and adventure in Africa.

Africa offers hiking trails of various categories to the adventure seekers of all levels. Africa is home to mighty volcanoes, gorges, great canyons, and bold mountain ranges. Rich with splendid flora and fauna, Africa has many world’s best hiking trails and is definitely worth exploring.

And today, we have lined up the top 15 best hikes in Africa.

15. Mount Cameroon – Cameroon

Elevation: 4,040 meters

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Best Season: All year long (Avoid hiking during heavy rains in summer)

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Mount Cameroon is the highest mountain in West Africa standing at the height of 4,040 meters above sea level. Also, know that this is an active volcano that last erupted in the year 2000. Don’t worry, scientists confirm no volcanic activities for now.

Unlike any other mountains, Mt. Cameroon has a steep elevation. So you better be in shape for this mountain hike. Train your lower body, especially quads and calves for this hike.

You can find convenient huts and camps on the trails of this hike. The main and famous route is the Guinness Trail used for an annual marathon race to the top. This route passes through the meadows, rainforest, savanna and finally the rocky mountain.

14. Ameln Valley – Morocco

Elevation: 2,359 meters

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Best Season: All year long

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

If you are amongst those hikers who love the offbeat tracks, Ameln valley might be pleasing for you. You could spend days wandering around the villages and terrains of Ameln Valley. It lies north of Tafraoute, set against the backdrop of Jebel el Kest’s rock face with gold and copper terrain.

This valley suits every level of hiker. If you are a beginner simply walk through the villages of the valley. For more experienced hikers, climbing the Jebel el Kest’s rock ( 2,359 meters) or Adrar Mkorn (2,344 meters) can be added perk.

In your hike, you might even encounter wild boars, snakes or even lions wandering in the valley, so be cautious. Follow the route along the south of the Tagoudiche village and get a spectacular view of the Ameln Valley.

13. Sentinel Peak Hike – South Africa

Elevation: 3,166 meters

Duration: 1 day

Best Season: Open all year long (March to April is the best)

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Sentinel Peak is an iconic place of the Drakensberg in South Africa. Standing at a staggering height of 3,166 meters, it provides a magnificent view of the canyons and the plateaus.

The Sentinel Peak can be a day-hike or even parts of a multi-day hike. Commonly known as ‘Chain Ladders Hike’, this peak has a series of chain ladders taking you to a vertical rock face. You can access Mont-Aux-Sources via two chain ladders. All your efforts will be well paid with the stunning view of Africa’s highest waterfall and world’s second highest waterfall – The Tugela Falls across the way.

When you reach the top of the hike, you will be amazed by the breathtaking site of Tugela valley.

12. Livingstonia – Malawi

Elevation: 2,200 meters

Duration: 2 days

Best Season: Open all year long (March to April is the best)

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

This is a short trekking route which will take you through the beautiful Lake Malawi and Nyika mountains. The remoteness of the place appeals to many hikers.

Most of the solo hikers start their journey via Mushroom Farm. Hike your way up to the historic Livingstonia mission. You can take a refreshing stop at the Manchewa Falls where you can take a natural shower.

Livingstonia is just another 3.5 km further from the Manchewa Falls. You can visit the Stone House, a museum which has an interesting collection of artifacts.

It is best to take the hike in the early mornings.

11. Mount Meru – Tanzania

Elevation: 4,656 meters

Duration: 3 days average

Best Season: June to October and December to February

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Mount Meru is a massive volcano at 4,565 meters above the sea level. Known as Kilimanjaro’s little sibling, Mount Meru is often a warm-up for climbing Kilimanjaro. This mountain is an active volcano, though it last erupted in 1910.

Situated within the Arusha National Park, Mount Meru is rich in wildlife. It is better to travel with an armed ranger for safety reasons. You will most certainly see monkeys, warthogs, buffaloes, elephants, and giraffes in your trek.

10. Mount Mulanje – Malawi

Elevation: 3,002 meters

Duration: 3 days average

Best Season: Early dry season between April to August

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Mount Mulanje is a hiking paradise. It is enchanting and challenging at the same time.  Everything about this trek – from the tea plantation, high grasslands, deep gorges to the rocky peaks at the top, is magnificent.

Reaching the height of just over 30,00 meters, this happens to be Central Africa’s highest peak. You can choose your hiking route of 1 to 6 days depending on your schedule and strength. There are six trailheads to reach a peak of Mulanje. The view is magnificent on a clear day from the top of this mountain.

You can easily get accommodation in any of the 10 mountain huts at various points of this hike.

9. Mount Elgon – Uganda

Elevation: 4,321 meters of Wagagai mountain

Duration: 5 days average

Best Season: December to March

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

This is a less-crowded hiking trail in East Africa bordering Kenya and Uganda. Elgon is a massive extinct volcano. Even a beginner climber can enjoy this hike.

Mount Elgon comprises five major peaks:

Wagagai – 4,321 meters

Sudek – 43,02 meters

Koitobos – 4,222 meters

Mubiyi – 4,211 meters

Masaba – 4,161 meters

There are many routes to reach the top. The Sasa River Route is one of the routes among them. The route offers exhilarating views of gorges, waterfalls, hot springs and caves along the way to the top. You will have a good chance of spotting blue monkeys and other wild animals as well.

8. Mount Sabinyo – Uganda

Elevation: 3,645 meters

Duration: 4 days average

Best Season: December to March

Hiking Difficulty: Hard

Mount Sabinyo is located in the southwestern corner of Uganda within Mgahinga Gorilla National Park. This park borders the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The name of this mountain translates ‘old man’s teeth’ because of its close resemblance with an old man’s spaced teeth.

The terrain is extremely rugged. You can only hike the trail from Uganda and not from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Home to wildlife diversity, you might encounter wild mountain gorilla in this hike. The bamboo-zone starts from the height of 2,400 meters. Here you can spot golden monkeys, Hagenia Hypericum, and famous Rwenzori Turaco.

The panoramic scene of the valley and the feel of being in three different countries at once is surely a moment to relish.

7. Simien Mountains – Ethiopia

Elevation: 3,645 meters

Duration: 3 to 4 days average

Best Season: All year long (September to November)

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

This is one of the best hiking destinations in Africa and a must visit place if you are in Ethiopia. Simien lies in northern Ethiopia and it is also listed as a world heritage site.

Simien is a vast mountain range with many summits. Ras Dashen is the highest among them standing at the height of 4,543 meters from the sea level. Hiking to Simien Mountains presents delightful sights of deep valleys, waterfalls, and gorges. Along the trail, you may encounter exotic wild animals such as mountain goats, Gelada monkeys, Walia Ibex, and rare Ethiopian wolf.

6. Fish River Canyon – Namibia

Distance: 86 km long trail

Duration: 4 to 5 days average

Best Season: Only accessible between May and mid- September

Hiking Difficulty: Hard

It is the largest canyon in Africa and the second largest in the world after Grand Canyon in the United States. The distance is of the canyon is 180 km and it forms the border between Namibia and South Africa.

This trail is considered one of Africa’s difficult hikes and there is no backing out once you enter the canyon. That is why you have to present a recent medical certificate of fitness no older than 40 days before you hike Fish River Canyon.

With courage, strength, and endurance, you can walk your way through the billion years old geological wonders and natural hot springs.

5. Blyde River Canyon – South Africa

Distance: 30 km long trail

Duration: 3 days average

Best Season: May to August

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Blyde River Canyon is one of the largest canyons, and also the greenest running at the length of 25 km. ‘Blyde’ is a Dutch word for ‘Happy’. The name suits perfectly as this hike is sure to make you happy and soak you in the elegance of the Lowveld Kruger National Park, and the Lebombo Mountains.

You can find other adventure sports here like hand gliding, kayaking, kite surfing, Boat trips, gyrocopters, paragliding, windsurfing, river tubing, and a lot more.

The canyon is also a natural home to hippos, Taita Falcon, crocodiles, antelope, river otters, and klipspringer. You can spot them in your walk through this famous trail. Other unmissable sites here are – God’s Window, Pinnacle Rock, the Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Berline Falls, Kadisihi Tufa Waterfall and the Pilgrim’s Rest.

4. Rwenzori Mountains – Uganda

Elevation: 5,109 meters

Duration: 9 -10 days

Best Season: December to February and June to August

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Also known as the Mountain of the Moon, Rwenzori Mountains lies at the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. Mount Stanley is the highest mountain in the Rwenzori mountain range at the height of 5,109 meters.

Hiking this route of Mount Stanley is a truly fantastic and unique experience. Listed in the World Heritage Site, Rwenzori Mountains hiking provides you the opportunity to see nature at its best.

You can choose from one day to twelve days hiking according to your style of adventure and schedule. Trek past the high glaciers, heavy tropical rainforest, cloud forests and a large valley with nine lakes. And further above 4,500 meters, you will see the snow and glaciers perfectly lining the background of the mountain.

Rwenzori Range is certainly one of Africa’s famous trekking destinations. And with unique landscapes and alpine climate, this hike could be your all-time best.

3. Atlas Mountains – Morocco

Elevation: 4,167 meters

Duration: 3 days average

Best Season: April and September

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

Atlas is North Africa’s greatest mountain range, giving the signature eye-catching view of Morocco. Its highest peak is Jebel Toubkal, standing tall at 4,167 meters. There are dozens of other mountains over 4,000 meters in this range.

The Atlas Mountains stretch to a wide territory and separate Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. It is further divided into separate ranges namely – High Atlas, Middle Atlas, and Anti-Atlas.

Take your time to this hike, meet the indigenous people and learn about their lifestyle.

2. Mount Kilimanjaro – Tanzania

Elevation: 5,895 meters

Duration: Depends on the trail – Lemosho route ( 7 days), Shira route (5 days), Machame route ( 6 days), Umbwe route (6 days), Marangu route (5  days), Rongai route (8 days).

Best Season: April and September

Hiking Difficulty: Hard

Mount Kilimanjaro is South Africa’s highest peak at the height of 5,895 meters. Located in Tanzania, this is also known as ‘walk-up’ mountain as thousands of tourists visit Tanzania to hike to Mount Kilimanjaro.

There are six routes through which you can complete your hike of Mount Kilimanjaro – Lemosho, Shira, Machame, Umbwe, Marangu, and Rongai. This hike takes you through five different climatic zones and the difficulty varies according to the route you choose. Each route has its own significance and provides different insights into its ecologically diverse terrain.

Enjoy the beautiful sunrise from the roof of Africa. However, do take precautions for altitude sickness.

1. Mount Kenya

Elevation: 5,199 meters

Duration: 3 days average

Best Season: January to March and June to October.

Hiking Difficulty: Moderate

It is Kenya highest and Africa’s second highest mountain at the height of 5,199 meters from the sea level. You can hike to either of the three hiking points of this mountain – Batian (5,199 meters), Nelion (5,188 meters) and Lenana (4,985 meters).

Most hikers climb to the hiking point Lenana because it is less difficult and requires no experience or special climbing skills. Plus it provides a remarkable view of the other two summits, glacial lakes and a 360 landscape of Mount Kenya National Park.

You can spot a variety of flora and fauna along the hiking trail such as elephants, buffalos, bushbucks, forest hogs, Colobus monkeys, and more.

In conclusion

Besides the ones listed here, there are numerous other places in Africa that you can hike to. Africa is definitely worth your time and effort. Explore its geographical terrain, diversity in flora and fauna, the lifestyle of indigenous groups. The memories you make in Africa will last you a lifetime.

Enjoy your time in Africa. Happy hiking!