Published on Tuesday, November 3, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

Costa Rican mountaineer Ligia Madrigal, 53, has reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, marking another milestone in her goal of climbing the highest peak on each of the world's seven continents.

At more than 19,300 feet, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. The majestic, snow-capped volcano is located in Tanzania.

According to Madrigal, she reached the summit Friday after several weeks of training. The climb took five days.

"The connection I felt on this journey, with my grief, with my mom (who passed away in March), and with God, was something so special that I will never forget it," Madrigal wrote on social media when announcing her achievement.

 

"Thank you, Africa; thank you, Tanzania; thank you, Kilimanjaro. I feel nothing but peace and gratitude," she added.


Reaching Kilimanjaro's summit marks the fourth-highest peak Madrigal has climbed as part of her personal goal of reaching the highest summit on each of the seven continents.


Mount Kilimanjaro is also known as a stratovolcano, a type of volcano formed from layers of ash, lava and rock. It consists of three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira. Kibo is the tallest and contains the mountain's summit, while Mawenzi and Shira are extinct volcanoes. Kibo is considered dormant, meaning it could potentially erupt again. Scientists estimate its last eruption occurred about 360,000 years ago.


The highest point on Kibo's crater rim is known as Uhuru, the Swahili word for "freedom."

The origin of Kilimanjaro's name remains uncertain. One possible explanation is that it combines the Swahili word "kilima," meaning mountain, with the KiChagga word "njaro," meaning shining or whiteness, possibly referring to the mountain's snow-covered summit.

In 2024, Madrigal made history as the first Costa Rican woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain.

Her other mountaineering achievements include climbing Aconcagua in Argentina's Andes Mountains in 2022. At more than 6,900 meters (22,638 feet) above sea level, Aconcagua is the highest peak in the Americas.

Madrigal also climbed Costa Rica's highest mountain, Chirripó, numerous times a year while preparing for her Everest expedition. Chirripó rises more than 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) above sea level.

Madrigal is the second Costa Rican to climb Mount Everest. Professional athlete Warner Rojas became the first Costa Rican to reach the summit of the world's highest mountain in 2012.

She is also the second Costa Rican woman to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Professional mountaineer Edith González completed the climb in 2022 at age 69.

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What have you heard about expatriates who have successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com