5 Major Mountain Ranges in Africa Worth Exploring

From the Atlas Mountains in North Africa to the Ethiopian Highlands in East Africa and the Great Escarpment in the South; major mountain ranges in Africa are worth your while. Africa is home to major mountain ranges. As a result, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the continent has some of the most diverse and varied mountain ranges in the world.

Africa is the second-largest continent and boasts a rich mix of geographical features and climates. It is not only the birthplace of Homo Sapiens but also has some of the most ancient mountains worldwide. The mountains in Africa are stunning and legendary, a testament that the region is one of the most geographically diverse places on earth.

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Which are the Major Mountain Ranges in Africa?

The beauty of African mountain ranges lies in their history dating back to centuries ago and their fascinating landscapes. They present unique geographical diversity featuring snow peaks, rugged cliffs, valleys and waterfalls. Additionally, these ranges have unique wildlife species. Now without further ado, let’s dig in to the major mountain ranges in Africa.

1. The Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains stretch from 1,600 miles (2,000 km) from Western Sahara through Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. It is the longest unbroken range in Africa and separates the Sahara from the Atlantic. It is famous for its highest peak in North Africa, Mount Toubkal, which has an elevation of 13,671 ft.

Atlas Mountains. Photo/ World Atlas.

Known among the locals as ‘Idraren Draren’ (Mountains of Mountains), The Atlas Mountains is a dwelling zone for a unique array of plants and wildlife. It is dotted with Berber villages and riven with canyons and ravines thereby effectively cementing its place among major mountain ranges in Africa.

2. Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg is a designated UNESCO World Heritage which is part of the Great Escarpment and runs 600 miles (1,000 km) from eastern South Africa to Lesotho. It reaches its greatest elevation – 2 to 3 kilometres within the border region of South Africa and Lesotho. It’s without a doubt, one of the major mountain ranges in Africa. As of the most popular major mountain ranges in Africa, it offers some of the most awe-inspiring vistas on the continent as it is composed of stunning steep river valleys, sandstone cliffs, rich flora and ancient cave paintings.

Drakensberg Mountains. Photo/ Natural World Safaris.

It is also home to many nature reserves with waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Some of the iconic animals you can come across in the Drakensberg Mountains include Cape vulture, lesser kestrel, eland and reedbuck.

3. Ruwenzori Mountains

The Ruwenzori, also spelt Rwenzori and Rwenjura, are a range of mountains situated between the border of Uganda and DRC. The highest peak of the Ruwenzori, one of the major mountain ranges in Africa, reaches 5,109 metres. The range’s upper regions are permanently snow-capped and glaciated throughout the year. Also called the “Mountains of the Moon”, the Ruwenzori Mountains are most renowned for their vegetation, which is composed of meadows and tropical rainforests. Here, you’ll come across iconic plants such as giant groundsel, giant lobelia and moss.

Ruwenzori Mountains. Photo/ Venture Uganda.

4. Ethiopian Highlands

The Ethiopian Highlands is a rugged mass of mountains in Northeast Africa, Ethiopia to be specific. It is dubbed the “Roof of Africa” due to the fact that it is home to 80 per cent of Africa’s tallest mountains. Its highest peak, Mount Ras Dejen, reaches 4,872 feet (4,533 metres). The Ethiopia Highlands, one of the major mountain ranges in Africa, boasts a diverse landscape which includes meadows, montane grasslands, heathland and woodlands. The landscape is home to an impressive array of fauna and flora.

5. Virunga Mountains

Also known as Mufumbiro, Virunga Mountains are a chain of volcanoes in East Africa. It is composed of eight major volcanoes, with six of them being dormant. They are found along the northern border of Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Besides Virunga Mountains offering one of the most unique tourist attraction sites in Africa; it doubles up as a top destination for major mountain ranges in Africa. It is home to the golden monkeys and the endangered mountain gorillas, which are now registered as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List.