Kenya Elevation Facts
| Average elevation |
762 m (2,500 ft) |
| Highest point |
Mount Kenya: 5,199 m (17,057 ft) |
| Lowest point |
Indian Ocean: 0 m (0 ft) |
| Elevation range |
5,199 m (17,057 ft) from the lowest point to the highest |
| Highest-elevation city |
Iten: 2,400 m (7,874 ft) |
| Lowest-elevation city |
Malindi: 17 m (56 ft) |
Kenya's terrain is a mix of highlands, lowlands, and plateaus that create a diverse and unique landscape.
The Great Rift Valley splits the highlands and creates steep escarpments and deep valleys which provide amazing views and unique wildlife habitats.
Coastal plains along the Indian Ocean provide a completely different terrain of white sandy beaches, coral reefs, and mangrove forests.
Overall, the topography of Kenya offers stunning natural beauty and valuable habitats for a variety of plant and animal species.
Highest Point in Kenya
Mount Kenya is the highest peak in Kenya, towering at an elevation of 5,199 meters above sea level. It is a popular destination for trekkers and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Lowest Point in Kenya
The lowest point in Kenya is at sea level, which is located along the Indian Ocean coastline.
Countries with Similar Topography to Kenya
Kenya's terrain is comparable to its East African neighbours Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia, which all combine highland plateaux and rift-valley escarpments with low-lying plains, and to the coastal lowlands shared with Somalia to the east.
Highest-Elevation Cities in Kenya
Iten is the highest-elevation city in Kenya, at 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level. The table below lists the major cities with their elevations, from highest to lowest.
| City |
Elevation |
Elevation in feet |
| Iten |
2,400 m |
7,874 ft |
| Eldoret |
2,100 m |
6,890 ft |
| Nyeri |
1,922 m |
6,306 ft |
| Kitale |
1,915 m |
6,283 ft |
| Nakuru |
1,859 m |
6,099 ft |
| Nairobi |
1,661 m |
5,449 ft |
| Thika |
1,633 m |
5,358 ft |
| Kisumu |
1,134 m |
3,720 ft |
| Garissa |
113 m |
371 ft |
| Mombasa |
50 m |
164 ft |
| Malindi |
17 m |
56 ft |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest point in Kenya?
The highest point in Kenya is Mount Kenya, at 5,199 m (17,057 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest point in Kenya?
The lowest point in Kenya is Indian Ocean, at 0 m (0 ft).
What is the average elevation of Kenya?
The average elevation of Kenya is 762 m (2,500 ft) above sea level, based on the CIA World Factbook.
What is the highest-elevation city in Kenya?
Iten is the highest-elevation city in Kenya, at 2,400 m (7,874 ft) above sea level.
What is the lowest-elevation city in Kenya?
Of the cities listed for Kenya, Malindi is the lowest, at 17 m (56 ft) above sea level.
What is the elevation range in Kenya?
Elevation in Kenya ranges from 0 m (0 ft) at Indian Ocean to 5,199 m (17,057 ft) at Mount Kenya, a difference of 5,199 m (17,057 ft).