Kilimanjaro Height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level is what makes it a popular destination for climbers seeking to conquer one of the world’s highest peaks. Among the Seven Summits, Kilimanjaro is one of the most prominent & Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing is regarded as the best adventure activity.
Mountains are categorized by height according to how far they stand above sea level. But they can also be measured differently from the Earth’s core. So, when it comes to the seven summits, where does Mount Kilimanjaro rank? In this post, we’ll do a deep dive into one of the most asked questions on Kilimanjaro – What is Mount Kilimanjaro Height? and look at all the height features.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. It is also the highest free-standing mountain in the world. This breathtaking mountain lies at an altitude of 5,895 m and is famous for its stunning natural beauty.
For mountain climbers, trekkers, and adventurers, Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing is an absolute favourite. Coming back to our question, Where Do You Think Mount Kilimanjaro Ranks in the Seven Summits? When properly analyzed, Mount Kilimanjaro is the fourth most prominent mountain in the world among the seven summits.
Now, if given the chance, which mountain would you prefer to climb? Are you ready for Mount Kilimanjaro? Let’s find out the facts about the Seven Summits!
Importance Of Measuring Kilimanjaro Heights
Measuring Kilimanjaro Height Above Sea Level is important for scientific backgrounds such as geology, meteorology, and ecology.
Geologists use Kilimanjaro’s height to understand the geological processes that shaped the mountain and the surrounding landscapes.
Whereas, meteorologists use the Height of Mount Kilimanjaro to forecast /the weather patterns and study the atmospheric conditions around the mountain.
And, finally, ecologists use Kili Height to study the effects of altitude on the flora and fauna and to identify the different biodiversity hotspots.
Hence, measuring Kilimanjaro Height in Feet is crucial to maintain the biodiversity of the region and supporting the different scientific disciplines.
Methods Used To Determine Kilimanjaro’s Height
Several methods are utilized to determine the height of Mt Kilimanjaro, each with its set of advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most commonly used methods are:
Ground-Based Surveys – This is one of the traditional methods used to measure the height of Kilimanjaro. Surveyors use instruments like theodolites and GPS receivers to measure the different Points of Elevation of Mount Kilimanjaro and calculate the height.
The method is labor-intensive and time-consuming but it offers accurate and precise measurements.
Airborne Laser Scanning – This method uses aircraft equipped with lasers to scan the surface of the mountain and create a digital terrain model. The model is then used to calculate the height of the mountain.
This method is faster than ground-based surveys and can cover a larger area, but it is more expensive and requires specialized pieces of equipment.
Satellite-Based Remote Sensing – This method uses satellite imagery and radar to determine Mount Kilimanjaro Height. The satellites bounce radar waves off the mountain and measure the time it takes for the waves to return to the satellite.
Global Positioning System (GPS) – GPS technology can also be used to determine the height of mountains. Surveyors use GPS receivers to measure the elevation of points on the mountain and calculate its height.
Gravity Measurements – This method uses sophisticated instruments to measure the gravitational pull of the mountain. The mass of the mountain affects the strength of gravity in the surrounding area, and by measuring these variations, scientists can calculate the height of the mountain.
This method is highly accurate but requires specialized equipment and expertise.
In practice, a combination of these methods is often used to ensure accuracy and consistency. For example, ground-based surveys may be used to establish reference points, which are then used to calibrate satellite and airborne measurements.
Kilimanjaro’s Height Ranking In Africa And Worldwide
In terms of ranking amongst the highest mountains in the world, Mt Kilimanjaro is also the most prominent – with a prominence of 5,882 metres. Prominence is a measure of a mountain’s independent height relative to its surroundings.
But, the prominence of Kilimanjaro doesn’t place it among the highest peaks in the world when it comes to elevation. For example, Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world has an elevation of 8,848 metres (29,029 feet).
This is more than twice the elevation of Kilimanjaro. Nevertheless, Kilimanjaro’s perfect location and prominence make it a popular destination for mountaineers from all over the globe. Below is a table reflecting the ranking of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa:
NAME OF THE MOUNTAIN
ELEVATION (in metres)
PROMINENCE (in metres)
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
5,895
5,882
Mount Kenya, Kenya
5,199
3,325
Mount Meru, Tanzania
4,566
3,050
Mount Stanley, Uganda
5,109
3,103
Ras Dashen, Ethiopia
4,533
3,220
Mount Speke, Uganda
4,890
1,220
Mount Karisimbi, Rwanda
4,507
2,477
As it’s evident from the above, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain peak in Africa and the fourth most prominent in the world.
Mount Kilimanjaro Compared To the Seven Summits
As said before, the seven summits are the highest peaks in each of the continents. Here’s a rank order according to their height –
Mount Everest (29,035 feet / 8,850 m) in Asia.
Aconcagua (22,829 feet / 6,962 m) in South America.
Denali (20,320 feet / 6,190 m) in North America.
Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet / 5,895 m) in Africa.
Mount Elbrus (18,510 feet / 5,642 m) in Europe.
Mount Carstensz (16,023 feet / 4,884 m) or Mount Kosciuszko (7,310 feet / 2,228 m) in Oceania.
Mount Vinson (16,067 feet / 4,892 m) in Antarctica.
Mount Everest (Asia)
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the Asian continent and over the world. It is located in the Great Himalayas of southern Asia on the border between Nepal and Tibet.
Elevation – 29,035 feet (8,850 metres)
Mount Everest was first recognized as Earth’s highest point in 1852 and major expeditions up the mountain began in the 1920s.
In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit of Everest.
Mount Aconcagua (South America)
This mountain is the highest point in both the Western Hemisphere and South America. It’s located close to the Chilean border in the west-central region of Argentina.
Mount Aconcagua has two summits – north and south. They are connected by a ridge.
Swiss climber named Matthias Zurbriggen was the first person to reach Mount Aconcagua’s summit.
Denali (North America)
Also referred to as Mount McKinley, Denali is the highest peak in North America. The mountain stands in the Alaska Range in the south-central region of Alaska.
Elevation – 18,000 feet (5,500 metres)
In 1910, two researchers were the first individuals to conquer the North Peak of Denali.
And, on June 7, 1913, Harry Karstens and Hudson Stuck lead a party to the Southern Peak, the true summit of the mountain.
Kilimanjaro (Africa)
The highest peak in the African continent, Mount Kilimanjaro is located in the northwestern region of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is made up of three volcanic cones and the youngest and highest cone is called Kibo.
The first people who managed to reach its summit were German geographer, Hans Meyer and Austrian mountaineer Ludwig Purtscheller in 1889.
In 1973, Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was established to protect the mountain. It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Mount Elbrus (Europe)
The highest peak of Caucasus and the highest point in the European continent is Mount Elbrus. It’s located in the southwestern region of Russia and was formed more than 2.5 million years ago.
This extinct volcano has two cones that extend to an elevation of:
The taller cone was first conquered by a British climbing expedition led by a Swiss Guide named Peter Knubel, in 1874.
Mount Vinson (Antarctica)
Mount Vinson or the Vinson Massif is the highest mountain in Antarctica. It’s located in the Sentinel Range of the Ellsworth Mountains in the western section of the continent and the peak overlooks the Ronne Ice Shelf.
The mountain is named after a US congressman, Carl Vinson who advocated the exploration of Antarctica.
The summit of Mount Vinson was first reached in 1966 and was supported by the National Science Foundation and the American Alpine Club.
Mount Carstensz (Australia/Oceania)
Mount Carstensz, also known as Jaya Peak, is the highest mountain in the Oceanian continent. It’s situated in the Sudirman Range of the west central highlands on the island of New Guinea. The mountain is also the world’s highest island peak.
Elevation – 16,024 feet (4,884 metres)
Its summit was first reached by an Austrian explorer and writer Heinrich Harrier in 1962.
Mount Kilimanjaro Peaks And Their Heights
Kilimanjaro is not just the highest mountain in Africa but also one of the world’s most famous peaks. Located in Tanzania, it consists of three distinct volcanic cones, namely Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Each of these peaks has a unique height, making Kilimanjaro a fascinating destination. You’ll get to traverse these peaks by opting for any of the Kilimanjaro Routes.
Kibo, the highest peak of Kilimanjaro, stands at an impressive height of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet). It is also the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Kibo is a dormant volcano and is home to the iconic Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point on Kilimanjaro and the ultimate destination for trekkers.
Mawenzi, on the other hand, is a rugged and jagged peak that stands at 5,149 meters (16,893 feet). It is the third-highest peak on Kilimanjaro and a popular destination for experienced climbers. The peak is characterized by cliffs and jagged ridges, providing a challenging climb for those brave enough to attempt it.
Shira, the oldest of the three peaks, stands at 3,962 meters (12,999 feet). It is the lowest peak of Kilimanjaro and is also a dormant volcano. Shira is characterized by a wide plateau and is a popular starting point for treks to the summit.
To get a better understanding of the heights of each of these peaks, below is a general overlay:
PEAK
HEIGHT (in metres)
HEIGHT (in feet)
Kibo
5,895 m
19,341 ft.
Mawenzi
5,149 m
16,893 ft.
Shira
3,962 m
12,999 ft.
Kilimanjaro In Comparison To Other Summits
You’ve gathered information concerning Mt Kilimanjaro Height, so now let’s put Kilimanjaro against some other iconic mountain peaks in the world and see how it measures:
Mt Everest vs. Kilimanjaro
Everyone who has questions about Mt Kilimanjaro Elevation naturally comes to the point of comparing it to Mount Everest.
Mount Everest sees almost 40,000 climbers each year, whereas, Mount Kilimanjaro attracts around 30,000 hiking enthusiasts each year around the globe.
The Kilimanjaro Base Camp Height is at different elevations – 4,670 m and 5,739 m.
On the other hand, the base camp of Mount Everest is at 5,364 metres and its highest peak is at almost 8,848 metres.
If you take a close look at the success rates of both summits, there’s a glaring difference between the difficulty levels. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a bit less challenging than ascending Mount Everest.
Kilimanjaro vs. Aconcagua
Mount Aconcagua is renowned worldwide for its spectacular sceneries and natural beauty. But when it comes to climbing both summits, it’s clear that you should go for Mount Kilimanjaro as it takes two weeks more than it takes to ascend to Uhuru Peak of Kilimanjaro.
Kilimanjaro vs. Denali
Attempting to reach the summit of Mount Denali is significantly more challenging than opting for a Kilimanjaro Climb.
The reason for this is that the steps are very high on Denali and the oxygen levels are comparatively lower than that of Mt Kilimanjaro. Plus, your body will get acclimated to the Kilimanjaro Weather more easily.
Kilimanjaro vs. Elbrus
Similar to Kilimanjaro, Mount Elbrus also doesn’t require any technical expertise but because of the poor visibility, the trails can be more difficult.
Kilimanjaro vs. Mount Carstensz
Compared to Mount Carstensz, Mount Kilimanjaro has a more accessible trekking trail. Plus, proper rock climbing skills are also necessary for scaling Mount Carstensz and the location isn’t that convenient too.
For a refresher, below is a comparison of The Height of Kilimanjaro to some other notable mountains around the globe:
NAME OF THE MOUNTAIN(S)
ELEVATION (in metres)
PROMINENCE (in metres)
Mount Everest, Nepal
8,848
8,848
Mount Aconcagua, Argentina
6,962
6,962
Mount McKinley (Denali), North America
6,190
6,144
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
5,895
5,882
Mount Elbrus, Russia
5,642
4,741
Mount Vinson, Antarctica
4,892
4,892
Mount Carstensz (Puncak Jaya), Papua
4,884
4,884
Mount Kosciuszko, Australia
2,228
2,228
Kilimanjaro Height Facts
Here are some facts about Kilimanjaro’s Height that you probably didn’t know about: –
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at a height of 19,364 ft. /5,895 meters above sea level.
It is the highest mountain on the African continent.
It is also the highest free-standing mountain not only in Africa but in the world.
It will take 6-9 days to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro depending on the route, with days for acclimatization included as well.
Due to its immense height, half of the climbers trying to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro fail halfway due to altitude problems.
Climate Change And Its Effect On Kilimanjaro’s Height
Climate change has been affecting Mount Kilimanjaro in several ways. One of the most major impacts it has left is the melting of the mountain’s glaciers.
Kilimanjaro has different glaciers such as the Northern Icefield and the Furtwängler Glacier, which have been shrinking rapidly over the past century.
According to some estimates, the ice cover on Kilimanjaro has decreased by 85% since 1912.
And, the glaciers on the mountain could disappear completely within the next few decades.
Kilimanjaro’s Height Alterations By Year
YEAR
HEIGHT (in metres)
1889
5,895
1938
5,899
1959
5,892
1978
5,880
1999
5,895
2019
5,892
The melting of the glaciers has several implications for the mountain’s height. First, the loss of ice reduces the mass of the mountain, which can cause the summit to sink.
Second, the melting of the glaciers can lead to the formation of new crevasses and ice cliffs, which can make it more difficult to climb the mountain.
And, finally, the loss of the glaciers can have significant ecological and economic impacts, as the mountain’s glaciers are an important source of water for local communities and support a unique ecosystem of plants and animals.
In addition to the melting of glaciers, Climate change is also affecting Kilimanjaro’s height by altering precipitation patterns on the mountain.
Kilimanjaro’s glaciers are formed by a combination of precipitation and sublimation (the direct conversion of ice to water vapour).
As temperatures warm, the snow line on the mountain rises, reducing the amount of snow and ice that accumulates on the summit.
This can further exacerbate the melting of the mountain’s glaciers, as less snow and ice mean less insulation to protect the glaciers from solar radiation.
Precipitation And Temperature Trends Of Kilimanjaro
YEAR
MEAN TEMPERATURE (in Degrees)
PRECIPITATION
1957
6.8 °C
2000 mm
1977
6.8 °C
2000 mm
1997
7.3 °C
1900 mm
2017
8.1 °C
1500 mm
On the whole, the impacts of climate change on Kilimanjaro’s height are complex and multi-layered. While the exact magnitude of these impacts is still uncertain, it is clear that the melting of the mountain’s glaciers is having significant ecological, economic, and social consequences for local communities and mountaineers.
Reaching For The Skies – Kilimanjaro’s Soaring Height!
Imagine standing on the top of the world and gazing down below you. It’s an amazing feeling, right? Well, that’s exactly how it feels standing on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. A Kilimanjaro Climb means it will give you a chance to experience Africa’s wildlife and climb one of the world’s Seven Summits. So, what’re you waiting for?
Book Kilimanjaro Climb with African Scenic Safaris and experience Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing in all its glory. We have extensive experience planning Private Kilimanjaro Treks, ranging from solo treks to charity groups of over 30 climbers, and can also accommodate organizations choosing to operate multiple group departures. Contact our trekking experts at info@africanscenicsafaris.com to begin planning your trip of a lifetime.
