What are the best hikes in Africa? Why consider Africa for your next hiking adventure?
Africa boasts incredibly diverse landscapes, environments, and rich cultural heritage. Its hiking trails traverse UNESCO-listed national parks, picturesque valleys, arid landscapes, snowy mountain ranges, and prominent peaks. If you’re looking for dramatic hikes, Africa has plenty to offer.
So, what are the top hikes in Africa? Which countries boast the best hiking destinations? Read on to find out more!
The Hoerikwaggo Table Mountain Hike spans 75 km in the Cape Peninsula. This trail offers a variety of coastal and mountain terrain, providing stunning views of the peninsula and False Bay. It takes you through the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain National Park, crosses several high points of the Cape Peninsula, and includes a walk along the deserted Noordhoek beach. Typically, it takes around 5 days to complete the hike. However, as of 2021, parts of the trail are closed due to disputes and safety concerns. You can still hike the first and last sections, making it a 4-day hike with a short transfer in between. Alternatively, you can enjoy the best parts of the trail as day hikes.
The Drakensberg Mountain range, also known as uKhahlamba in Zulu, is South Africa’s highest peak and offers excellent hiking opportunities ranging from day hikes to challenging multi-day treks. For adventure enthusiasts, the Drakensberg Traverse is a 200 km route that can take about two weeks and covers many peaks, including Mont Aux Sources, Cleft Peak, Champagne Castle, Giant’s Castle, and Thabana Ntlenyana. The hike also takes you past Tugela Falls, the second tallest waterfall in the world. For those with less time, the lower elevations are perfect for day hikes, which range from 3 to 12 hours in length and vary in difficulty from easy (suitable for kids) to strenuous.
Mount Kilimanjaro, standing at 5895 meters, is Africa’s highest peak and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, offering some of the continent’s best hikes. It has several routes, with the Whiskey Route (or Machame Route) being the most challenging. This steep and demanding trail usually takes 5 to 9 days to complete. Climbers must hire a guide or join a tour group. Be prepared for a significant cost, as climbing Kilimanjaro averages between $2000 and $4000. If this is too expensive, consider a base camp day hike instead.
Mount Toubkal, at 4167 meters, is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountains and all of North Africa. Just 63 km south of Marrakesh, its towering snow-capped peaks are visible on clear days. Known for its rocky valleys, Toubkal can be hiked in one day, but taking at least two days is recommended for better acclimatization and enjoyment. Climbing Mount Toubkal is among the top activities in Morocco.
The Sinai Trail in Egypt, launched in 2015, is the country’s first long-distance hiking trail and one of Africa and the Middle East’s best hikes. It runs through the scenic Sinai Peninsula between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. Starting at the Gulf of Aqaba and ending at Mount Catherine (Egypt’s highest mountain), the trail includes visits to Mount Sinai and the Saint Catherine Monastery. Other highlights are the Blue Desert, Ein Hudera, Jebel Sabbah, and Ein Kid. Originally 200 km and taking about two weeks, the trail has been extended to 550 km, taking 52 days to complete.
Mount Kenya is the tallest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, part of the Mount Kenya National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While Batian (5199 m) and Nelion (5188 m) require technical climbing, the easier-to-climb Point Lenana (4985 m) is most popular among trekkers. The trek to Point Lenana takes approximately 5 to 6 days and showcases diverse flora, fauna, glaciers, and dramatic rock spires. From the summit of Lenana, you get a beautiful view of the massif and the main peaks Batian and Nelion.
The Simien Mountains in northern Ethiopia feature rugged terrain with plateaus divided by valleys and steep, rocky cliffs. The Simien National Park includes several peaks over 4000 meters, with Ras Dejen (4550 m) being the highest. Mount Kidis Yared (4453 m) and Mount Biuat (4437 m) are other notable peaks. Offering some of the best hikes in Africa, the Simien Mountains are a prime hiking destination in Ethiopia. Hikes range from 1-day to multi-day treks, with most routes starting from Debark.