Ultimes Griots Digital
Défi Kilimandjaro, the African word game
“Climb Africa’s peaks, word by word.”
Swipe your finger to link the letters and form the hidden words. Behind each word: a riddle, a proverb or a popular saying from Africa. A climb from the continent’s smallest peak all the way to the roof of Africa.
Six screens, the whole game
What you’ll find when you open the app — screenshots taken from the released version.
Three moves, one climb
Link the letters
Swipe your finger across the grid to form the hidden words — easy to pick up, from age 4.
Solve the riddle
Each word reveals a proverb, a puzzle or a popular saying: you play, and you come away with a piece of African wisdom.
Climb the next peak
52 real African peaks await you, ordered from the smallest peak up to Kilimanjaro. Your progress is saved.
A word game rooted in the cultures of Africa
Every country has its mountain: from the continent’s smallest peak to the roof of Africa, each level is a real summit, with its altitude.
Ivorian culture, the city of Abidjan, nouchi, Ivorian football… Each pack is a world with its own climb.
Take on an opponent online, in a tournament or by scanning a friend’s QR code — the fastest wins, and the leaderboard keeps track.
Every word you find is explained: where the name comes from, what it refers to, why it matters. You play, and you come away knowing more.
A custom-composed soundtrack with real African instruments, and an illustrated griot storyteller who accompanies the climb.
On the bus, on the plane or in the village: the climb needs no connection, and your progress is saved.
From Ear of the Village to Living Ancestor: the higher you climb, the more your title honors your wisdom.
Every day, a new grid to keep your culture sharp — a few minutes is all it takes.
Before you download
Is the game free?
Yes, Défi Kilimandjaro is free to download, on both the App Store and Google Play.
Which devices can I play on?
On iPhone and iPad via the App Store, and on Android phones and tablets via Google Play.
Do I need an Internet connection?
Not to play solo: the climb works offline and your progress is saved on the device — ideal on the go. However, 1v1 duels, tournaments and the leaderboard are played online.
Can I play against someone?
Yes. Challenge mode offers ranked online 1v1 duels and tournaments. To take on someone close to you, the app generates a QR code that the other player scans to join the game — the fastest player wins.
What are packs and cowries?
Packs are worlds of riddles — Ivorian culture, the city of Abidjan, nouchi, Ivorian football — each with its own climb. Cowries are the in-game currency: you earn them by playing, and they unlock new packs.
From what age?
The game is rated 4+. Younger children link the letters with a parent; the riddles and proverbs speak to adults too.
Who publishes the game?
Défi Kilimandjaro is created by Ultimes Griots, a publishing house founded in Abidjan, which also publishes African folktale books and comics and the story app KUMA.
After the game, the stories
Défi Kilimandjaro sharpens curiosity — our tales feed it.
KUMA — Contes d’Afrique
A living map of Africa where your children unlock an illustrated, narrated tale, country after country.
Discover KUMA →African folktale books & comics
54 Tales of Africa, The Awakening of the Jeli, Mariam… illustrated books shipped with care from Abidjan.
Explore the shop →Free audio tales
The 54 Tales podcast: African tales of 3 to 7 minutes, for the whole family to listen to right here on the site.
Listen to the tales →A free tale while you wait
Get “Kimbu, the Dirty Man” as an illustrated PDF, and be the first to hear about new peaks and new creations.