What celebrities have climbed Mount Kilimanjaro?

The idea of summiting Africa’s highest peak attracts not only adventure seekers and thrill lovers but also international celebrities. Actors, musicians, and famous athletes — some have climbed Kilimanjaro of their own volition, others as part of charitable missions. In this article, we tell you who had the courage to take on this iconic mountain and what challenges they faced along the way.

If you're planning a trip to Tanzania and want to climb Kilimanjaro yourself, be sure to download this PDF file. We’ve compiled everything you might need during your trek into one checklist.

American singer and actress Mandy Moore, known for her lead roles in A Walk to Remember and Tangled, climbed Kilimanjaro in 2018 as part of the CARE charity project to raise awareness for women’s rights and global poverty. That same year, singer and actress Zoë Kravitz reached the summit out of a personal passion for adventure.

These examples show that climbing the “Roof of Africa” is a serious challenge — but one that’s achievable even for people more accustomed to red carpets and cocktail parties. And they’re far from the only celebrities who dared to push their limits. Let’s take a closer look at the most memorable “star” expeditions.

The “Summit on the Summit” Charity Project

Summit on the Summit is a campaign to raise awareness about the global clean water crisis, especially in Africa. It was launched by American actor and environmentalist Kenna, who first climbed Kilimanjaro with a group of celebrities in 2010.

Kenna Zemedkun, an American musician and philanthropist originally from Ethiopia, founded the initiative after a water crisis struck his home village. On January 7, 2010, he summited Kilimanjaro with friends including Lupe Fiasco, Jessica Biel, Emile Hirsch, and others. A 90-minute MTV documentary titled Summit on the Summit: Kilimanjaro followed. Proceeds supported the Children’s Safe Drinking Water Program.

Kenna’s personal motivation ran deep — his father became seriously ill from contaminated water, and his uncle later died from a similar illness.

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake were the star couple of the first Summit on the Summit expedition. The group faced heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and wet snow on Kilimanjaro, making the climb far from easy. But these hardships became symbolic of overcoming challenges, aligning perfectly with the expedition’s charitable purpose.

The celebrities showed not only physical strength but also emotional resilience and determination. Thanks to the high-profile team, the initiative gained major media attention and raised significant funds to combat the water crisis. Despite the harsh conditions and poor visibility, every member, including the film crew, successfully reached the summit.

The team also included American climber, photographer, and filmmaker Jimmy Chin, a professional climber for over 20 years who won an Oscar in 2019 for Free Solo. Also present was Australian actress and model Isabel Lucas (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen).

Notably, filmmaker and activist Alexandra Cousteau, granddaughter of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, joined the climb. So did rapper and producer Lupe Fiasco, known for his charity work.

Another prominent participant was actor Emile Hirsch, best known for playing adventurer Christopher McCandless in Into the Wild. His film experience may have prepared him for the harsh trek — neither the cold rain nor lack of high-altitude experience stopped him from reaching the summit.

Red Nose Climb (Comic Relief)

The Red Nose Climb project raises funds for Comic Relief, a UK charity supporting global aid initiatives. The first climb took place in 2009, a year before the first American Summit on the Summit expedition. A second British group of 9 celebrities reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro (5,895 m / 19,341 ft), in 2019.

The 2009 group was led by Gary Barlow, singer-songwriter and frontman of Take That. That year, singer and TV personality Cheryl Cole (of Girls Aloud) also reached the summit, along with British presenter Ben Shephard (Good Morning Britain).

Other celebrities across different years included UK radio and TV host Chris Moyles; singer, actress, and Girls Aloud member Kimberley Walsh; as well as musical performers Alesha Dixon and Denise van Outen, best known for roles in the musical Chicago and the film Legally Blonde.

Waterboys charity project

This nonprofit was founded by former NFL player Chris Long to address the global clean water crisis, especially in East Africa. Over the years, many famous athletes have joined their Kilimanjaro expeditions.

Chris Long first summited Kilimanjaro in 2013. In 2015, he launched Waterboys. That year, fellow NFL alum Nate Boyer climbed alongside him and later became an ambassador for the group. In 2016, Connor Barwin joined; in 2021, it was Vincent Jackson’s turn.

The original goal was to build 32 sustainable deep-water wells — a milestone reached in February 2018. By then, the organization had provided access to clean water for around 570,000 people.

Celebrities who didn’t make it

Climbing the highest mountain in Africa is considered a moderately difficult trek, but even some athletes have failed to reach the summit. One example is Martina Navratilova, one of the most successful tennis players and former world No. 1 from the Czech Republic. In 2010, she attempted to climb Kilimanjaro but suffered a severe case of altitude sickness with pulmonary edema and had to be evacuated.

A similar fate awaited former footballer Robbie Savage, who tried to climb Kilimanjaro in 2013 for the Responsible Gambling Trust, a project aimed at minimizing gambling-related harm. After passing 3,600 meters (11,800 ft), he developed altitude sickness and had to be hospitalized.

In 2008, American journalist Ann Curry tried to reach the summit to report on glacier retreat. However, she had no time to prepare—she was assigned to Tanzania just weeks prior. Ann planned to livestream from the top, but at 4,800 meters (15,750 ft), she fell ill, and the team had to turn back. Her story highlights the importance of training and preparation before attempting to climb Kilimanjaro.

Perhaps the most widely known failed attempt was by billionaire Roman Abramovich. Around 4,600 meters (15,092 feet) into the climb, he developed serious breathing issues and showed signs of pulmonary edema. He was part of a six-person group supported by over 100 porters, but even with that, they had to turn back.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real test of willpower and stamina. Before this great mountain, everyone is equal, regardless of fame or fortune. The stories of celebrities who tried to reach the “Roof of Africa” are inspiring. They prove that even those used to luxury or stadiums are willing to leave their comfort zones to challenge themselves, often for a good cause.

Choosing the right route is key — 7–8 days is ideal. This gives your body time to adapt and lowers the risk of altitude sickness. Just as important is finding a reliable tour operator who can ensure safety and comfort during the expedition.

Altezza Travel has been leading climbers to the summit since 2014. With a strong team of professional local guides, porters, cooks, and safety specialists, and great attention to detail, we've become one of Tanzania’s top operators. All Altezza guides are certified Wilderness First Responders. 

More than 20,000 people have safely reached the summit of Kilimanjaro with us. We’ve also organized climbs for high-profile projects like Wings of Kilimanjaro, and the first-ever BASE jump and wingsuit flight from the summit in collaboration with Red Bull. Our team has supported paragliding expeditions, slackline records, and climbs by renowned travelers such as Fyodor Konyukhov, as well as athletes, celebrities, and other public figures.

If you’d also like to climb Kilimanjaro but still have doubts about your abilities, try our Summit Success Calculator. It will help you estimate your chances of reaching the summit based on your current trekking experience and fitness level.

Want to know more about Tanzania adventures?

Get in touch with our team! We've explored all the top destinations across Tanzania. Our Kilimanjaro-based adventure consultants are ready to share tips and help you plan your unforgettable journey.

Discover more interesting articles