What Celebrities Have Climbed Kilimanjaro?
What Celebrities Have Climbed Kilimanjaro? (2023/2024 Updated) Famous Celebrities Who Have Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro: Mount Kilimanjaro, which is located in East Africa, Tanzania, has been regarded for many years now as one of the best attractions in the world, having been nominated several times in the World Travel Awards as being the best attraction in Africa. The mountain has attracted many famous celebrities, along with other nearby attractions such as the Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Crater. Many of the celebrities have already succeeded in reaching the summit of Uhuru Peak, while others have not yet. Ask yourself, “What am I waiting for?”
It takes both physical stamina and mental fortitude to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the highest mountain in Africa, rising 19,341 feet, and one of the most popular vacation spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Many famous people and competitive athletes have attempted to climb Kilimanjaro over the years. In this article, we’ll talk about famous people and athletes who have successfully scaled Mount Kilimanjaro, as well as some who haven’t. Here we go…….
CHARITY CLIMBS
Celebrities frequently interact with one another. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they frequently climb Kilimanjaro in groups for charitable purposes. Let’s look at some famous people who have climbed Kilimanjaro for charity.
- THE SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT
A campaign called “The Summit on the Summit” aims to bring attention to the global clean water crisis and support global clean water initiatives. The American actor and activist Kenna, who in 2010 ascended Kilimanjaro with a group of famous people, was the one who started it. A few of the famous people who attended the summit include:
Kenna
American musician and philanthropist Kenna Zemedkun, also known as Kenna, was born in Ethiopia. His father suffered greatly from a water-borne illness as a child, and his uncle had passed away from a disease that was related, so he has a personal motivation for raising awareness of the global clean water crisis.
Jessica Biel
An American actress and producer by the name of Jessica Biel. She is well-known for her performances in the television series 7th Heaven as well as the movies The Illusionist and The A-Team. She has also supported a number of charitable organizations, such as PETA and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Isabel Lucas
Isabel Lucas is a model and actress from Australia. She is well-known for her performances in movies like The Water Diviner and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. She has also participated in environmental activism and promoted renewable energy and sustainable living.
Emile Hirsch
Actor Emile Hirsch is American. He is well-known for his roles in movies like Milk and Into the Wild. Additionally, he has contributed to charitable organizations like the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the International Medical Corps.
Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer from the United States. He is well-known for his socially conscious lyrics and has been involved in a number of charitable endeavors, including the Lupe Fiasco Foundation, which promotes education and community development.
Santigold
Santigold is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from the United States. She is well-known for her eclectic musical style and has supported several charitable organizations, including the Red Cross and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Jimmy Chin
Jimmy Chin is a professional mountain athlete, photographer, film director, and author from the United States. Chin has spent over 20 years as a professional climber and skier on The North Face Athlete Team. He won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 2019 for Free Solo.
Alexandra Cousteau
Alexandra Cousteau is a French-American filmmaker and environmental activist. She is Jacques Cousteau’s granddaughter and has been involved in a number of environmental initiatives, including the Blue Legacy Project, which advocates for water conservation and preservation.
Casey Neistat
Casey Neistat is a filmmaker, YouTuber, and entrepreneur from the United States. He is known for his innovative approach to filmmaking and has volunteered for several charitable organizations, including the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund and the Malala Fund.
Michael Muller
Michael Muller is a photographer and filmmaker from the United States. He is well-known for his celebrity portraits and has contributed to a number of charitable organizations, including the Oceanic Preservation Society and the Michael Muller Shark Fund.
Elizabeth Gore
Elizabeth Gore is a social activist and entrepreneur from the United States. She is the co-founder of Alice, a resource and support platform for female entrepreneurs. She has also supported several charitable organizations, including the United Nations Foundation and the Malala Fund.
- SUMMIT ON THE SUMMIT II
Kenna organized another Kilimanjaro climb in 2012 with a group of celebrities to raise awareness and funds for clean water initiatives. Among the celebrities who joined Kenna on her return climb were:
Justin Chatwin
Justin Chatwin is an actor from Canada. He is well-known for his roles in films such as War of the Worlds and The Invisible, as well as television shows such as Shameless. He has also supported a number of charitable organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the David Lynch Foundation.
Beau Garrett
Beau Garrett is a model and actress from the United States. She is well-known for her roles in films like Tron: Legacy and television shows like Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce. She has also supported several charitable organizations, including the American Heart Association and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.
Mark Foster
Mark Foster is a singer, songwriter, and record producer from the United States. He is the lead singer of the band Foster the People and has been involved in a number of charitable organizations, including Music for Relief and the United Nations Foundation.
Kick Kennedy
Kennedy is a journalist, activist, and member of the Kennedy family from the United States. She has supported several charitable organizations, including the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Skyler Shaye
Skyler Shaye is an actress and filmmaker from the United States. She has appeared in films such as Bratz and Superbabies: Baby Geniuses 2. She has also volunteered for organizations such as the American Heart Association and the Trevor Project.
Elise Eberle
Elise Eberle is a well-known American actress. She is well-known for her roles in films like The Astronaut Farmer and television shows like Salem. She has also volunteered for organizations such as the American Cancer Society and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Talib kweli
Talib Kweli is a rapper, songwriter, and record producer from the United States. He is well-known for his socially conscious lyrics and has been involved in a number of charitable endeavors, including the Hip Hop Caucus and the Robin Hood Foundation.
Cisco Adler
Cisco Adler is a musician, songwriter, and record producer from the United States. He is best known for his work with the bands Shwayze and Whitestarr. He has also supported several charitable organizations, including the Surfrider Foundation and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Dr. Greg Allgood
Dr. Greg Allgood is an epidemiologist and public health expert from the United States. He is the founder of World Vision’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene program, which provides communities in need with access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
- THE RED NOSE CLIMB
The Red Nose Climb is a fundraising event for Comic Relief, a UK-based charity that supports projects in Africa and around the world. A group of celebrities will climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for the charity. The first Red Nose Climb took place in 2009, and since then, several celebrities have taken part in subsequent climbs. Celebrities who participated in the Red Nose Climb on Kilimanjaro include:
Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole is a singer, songwriter, and television personality from England. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Girls Aloud before launching a successful solo career. She has also served as a judge on several seasons of the British version of The X Factor.
Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow is a singer-songwriter, musician, and producer from England. He is best known as the lead singer of the British pop group Take That. He has also worked as a solo artist and as a judge on The X Factor UK.
Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles is a radio and television presenter from England. For more than eight years, he hosted The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1. He has also appeared on TV shows such as Chris Moyles’ Quiz Night and The Jump.
Kimberley Walsh
Kimberley Walsh is a singer, actress, and television presenter from England. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl band Girls Aloud. She has also appeared on television and in musicals such as Shrek the Musical and Elf: The Musical.
Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon is a singer, dancer, and television presenter from England. She rose to prominence as a member of the girl group Mis-Teeq. She has also served as a judge on the British version of the reality show Strictly Come Dancing for several seasons.
Ronan Keating
Ronan Keating is a singer-songwriter, musician, and actor from Ireland. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the boy band Boyzone. He has also performed as a solo artist and appeared in films and television shows such as Goddess and Postman Pat: The Movie.
Denise Van Outen
Denise Van Outen is an English actress, singer, and TV host. She’s appeared in a number of TV shows and musicals, including Chicago and Legally Blonde. She has also hosted a number of TV shows, including The Big Breakfast and The Saturday Show.
Fearne Cotton
Fearne Cotton is a television and radio presenter from England. She has hosted a number of TV shows, including Top of the Pops and Celebrity Juice. She has also worked as a radio host for BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2.
Ben Shephard
Ben Shephard is a journalist and television presenter from England. He’s hosted a number of TV shows, including Tipping Point and Good Morning Britain. In addition, he has worked as a journalist for Sky Sports and GMTV.
- WATERBOYS: CONQUERING KILI
Several celebrities and athletes have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as part of the Waterboys organization, which was founded by NFL player Chris Long. Waterboys is a non-profit organization that provides clean water to underserved communities. The Waterboys’ efforts have enabled them to provide clean water to thousands of people in East Africa. Here are some of the people who have climbed Kilimanjaro with Waterboys:
Chris Long
Chris Long is the founder of the Waterboys and a former NFL player. He climbed Kilimanjaro in 2013 and has continued to lead expeditions to the mountain for Waterboys.
Nate Boyer
Nate Boyer, a former NFL player and Green Beret, climbed Kilimanjaro in 2015 with the Waterboys. He has since become an ambassador for the organization, raising awareness and funds to support its mission.
Connor Barwin
Former NFL player Connor Barwin climbed Kilimanjaro with the Waterboys in 2016. He has continued to support the organization’s efforts to bring clean water to underserved communities.
Vicent Jackson
Former NFL player Vincent Jackson climbed Kilimanjaro with the Waterboys in 2016. He died in 2021, but his dedication to the Waterboys mission continues to inspire others.
Kyle Long
Kyle Long is Chris Long’s younger brother and a former NFL player. He climbed Kilimanjaro with Waterboys in 2019 and has been an outspoken supporter of the organization’s efforts to bring clean water to underserved communities.
Shezanne Cassim
Shezanne Cassim is a comedian and filmmaker who climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018 with the Waterboys. He chronicled his adventure in a short film titled “Climbing Kilimanjaro for Clean Water.”
- PROJECT C: CHANGE
Project C: CHANGE is dedicated to raising awareness about global environmental degradation, climate change, and conservation in China and Asia. Project C: CHANGE leverages the power of celebrity to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the world’s natural resources across multiple media channels.
Sean Lee-Davies
Sean Lee-Davies is a producer, adventurer, and wildlife conservationist. He is the founder of Project C: Change, an NGO that raises funds and raises awareness about the illegal wildlife trade in Asia. He climbed Kilimanjaro in 2011 and 2020.
OTHER CELEBRITIES WHO CLIMBED KILIMANJARO
Here are celebrities who climbed Kilimanjaro.
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore is an American actress and singer best known for her roles in films such as A Walk to Remember and Tangled, as well as her hit songs “Candy” and “Crush.” In 2018, she climbed Kilimanjaro as part of a charity climb to raise funds for CARE, a non-profit organization that focuses on women’s empowerment and poverty alleviation.
Julianne Hough
Julianne Hough is a dancer, actress, and singer from the United States who has appeared on America’s Got Talent, Dancing with the Stars, and Grease: Live. She celebrated her 31st birthday by climbing Kilimanjaro with a group of friends in 2019.
Asha Leo
Asha Leo is a British model and television host. She is also well-known for her work as a correspondent on NBC’s Access Hollywood. She visited Tanzania and climbed the mountain in 2015.
CELEBRITIES WHO FAILED ON KILIMANJARO
Not everyone reaches the summit. Here are a few celebrities who did not make it to the summit of Kilimanjaro:
Martina Navratilova
Martina Navratilova is widely regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time. In 2010, she attempted to climb Kilimanjaro and suffered from severe altitude sickness. She was evacuated on a stretcher and taken to the hospital for treatment after developing high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE), a dangerous buildup of fluid in the lungs.
Robbie Savage
Former professional footballer Robbie Savage climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in 2013. He climbed as part of a charity trek to benefit the Responsible Gambling Trust and a project to help Kenyan schoolchildren. He became seriously ill due to HAPE at around 12,000 feet and was taken to the hospital, where he recovered completely.
Ray Lewis
Ray Lewis, the Super Bowl champion and 13-time Pro Bowl linebacker, never climbed Kilimanjaro. He had planned to take part in the Tackle Kili charity trek, which benefits World Serve International. The organization’s goal is to create locally sustainable drinking water resources in East Africa. However, due to an injured foot and a fever, Lewis decided not to attempt the mountain.
Ann Curry
Ann Curry, an American journalist, climbed Kilimanjaro in 2008 to document the mountain’s glacial retreat. She didn’t train because she didn’t know about her assignment until three weeks before her departure. She and her crew were unable to reach the summit due to altitude sickness. She had hoped to broadcast live from the summit, but they were forced to turn around at 16,000 feet.
CONCLUSION:
Despite being the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t a difficult trek, especially if you’re an athlete or sportsperson. Different and many famous celebrities have attempted the climb, and some of them succeeded in reaching the summit while others failed, but that one should never scare you; you can reach the summit as long as you are well prepared.
What are you waiting for? Rick Ross is already planning to go back to Africa after setting some big goals for himself. The rapper and Wingstop owner announced plans to climb Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, in 2024. “I really believe when I put my heart to something, I can do anything,” he said during an interview with the host of Full Send Podcast. “This is the first time I’ve said this, but in 2024, I ’ma hike to the top of Kilimanjaro.”
Ross explained he was inspired one night while chilling in his yard. “I was smoking, I was on my back patio last night, I’m sitting underneath the trees, I’m listening to the waterfall, I’m looking at the plants, the landscaping, the patio furniture, you know? And I gave myself a challenge,” said Rick Ross.
Rick Ross should not only be the last one, but he should also inspire you to put Mount Kilimanjaro at the top of your travel bucket list. My long dream is to see as many sportsmen as possible, such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Paul Pogba, Sergio Ramos, Lionel Messi, Robert Lewandowski, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford, Neymar Jr., and many other famous footballers, attempt the roof of Africa since they will not only enjoy their trip but also get some physical exercise that will help them in their careers. Contact us at Focus East Africa Tours if you’re a celebrity out there and plan to conquer the roof of Africa. I will be happy to assist you and organize a perfect trip to make sure you not only reach the summit of Uhuru Peak but also have an once-in-a-lifetime safari experience.
