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Mawenzi Peak : Mount Kilimanjaro’s High-Altitude Peak
Mawenzi Peak – Kilimanjaro’s Rugged, Remote Summit
Standing tall at 5,149 meters (16,893 ft.), Mawenzi is Mount Kilimanjaro’s second-highest peak—and the third-highest in all of Africa, just behind Kibo Peak and Mount Kenya. Towering, jagged, and dramatic, Mawenzi looks like something straight out of a Tolkien novel. But don't let the altitude fool you—it’s not an easy summit.
Think You Can Climb It?
Mawenzi is not your typical trekking destination. With sheer cliffs and unstable rock, the climb is steep, exposed, and technically demanding. Only experienced mountaineers with specialized climbing gear should even consider it.
And even then—it’s rare. Most tour operators don’t go there. You’ll need to apply for a special permit at least one month in advance, and your application must include a list of all your technical gear.
What’s the Main Summit of Mawenzi?
The crown of Mawenzi is Point Hans Meyer, named after the German geologist who first summited it on July 29, 1912. You might recognize his name from the Hans Meyer Cave on Kibo, another resting point for trekkers on the main Kilimanjaro routes.
How to Reach Mawenzi
There are two main access routes:
- Marangu Route
- Rongai Route
Both pass through Marangu Gate, continue to Mandara Huts, then Horombo Huts, and finally up to Mawenzi Hut, your basecamp for any serious Mawenzi expedition.
Your journey begins in the town of Moshi, the launching point for most Kilimanjaro adventures.
Closest airports include:
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – the most convenient
- Jomo Kenyatta International (Nairobi, Kenya)
- Julius Nyerere International (Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania)
When’s the Best Time to Climb Mawenzi?
To maximize safety and visibility, aim for the dry seasons:
- January to March
- June to October
Avoid climbing during the heavy rains of March to May and November to early January—these make an already technical climb far more dangerous.
Final Word:
If Kibo is Kilimanjaro’s rooftop, Mawenzi is its wild heart—rugged, remote, and rarely conquered. It’s not for tourists. It’s for explorers. If you’ve got the skills, the gear, and the guts, Mawenzi delivers the real-deal alpine adventure few ever experience.
Mawenzi Peak Kilimanjaro map
How to Climb Mawenzi Peak
Conquering Mawenzi is a serious alpine objective—not just a hike, but a full-on technical climb.
The Oehler Couloir route, accessed via the North-West Corrie variant, is the primary way up. You'll be tackling 400 meters of climbing rated at Grade II*—a sustained, icy, and rugged ascent that takes about 5 hours for experienced climbers. Expect exposed rock, steep gullies, and slippery snowpack, especially near the summit of Point Hans Meyer (5,149 m).
This is a no-rookie zone—you’ll need technical mountaineering gear, cold-weather climbing experience, and strong route-finding skills.
Dangers of Climbing Mawenzi
Mawenzi is beautiful—but it’s also brutal. This peak has claimed lives, and for good reason:
- Rockfall & collapsing terrain
- Unstable ice and melting snow
- No marked routes—just raw, alpine wilderness
- Limited rescue access
Only elite climbers with imported, high-grade mountaineering equipment and substantial high-altitude experience should attempt the summit. This isn’t a guided tour. It’s an expedition.
Mawenzi Peak – For the Bold Only
If you’re craving one of Africa’s last wild climbs, Mawenzi offers raw beauty, razor-edge ridges, and unreal panoramic views you’ll never forget.
This is a mountain that rewards the bold—but punishes the unprepared. The climb is now officially open, but caution isn’t optional—it’s critical.
Ready to trade comfort for conquest?
Mawenzi is waiting.