Retired Doctor Climbs Mount Kilimanjaro at 90, Becomes Oldest Person to Summit Africa's Highest Peak

A 90-year-old retired American physician, Dr. Art Ulene, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, on July 13, 2026, the day of his 90th birthday, becoming the oldest person believed to have reached the summit. The climb took place in Tanzania, where Ulene completed the expedition with family members and a team of local guides. His achievement is expected to be submitted to Guinness World Records for official verification, drawing international attention to the possibilities of healthy aging and lifelong fitness.

Dr. Art Ulene reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro, at an elevation of 5,895 metres (19,341 feet). While the achievement has been widely celebrated, it is pending official confirmation by Guinness World Records.

Ulene is a retired physician, author, and former medical correspondent for NBC's Today show, where he spent more than two decades educating viewers about health and wellness. Since retiring from broadcasting, he has continued travelling extensively and promoting active, healthy living.

According to USA Today, Ulene, the expedition was not about setting a record but about demonstrating that age does not have to limit a person's ambitions.

He hoped his climb would encourage older adults to stay physically active, continue setting meaningful goals, and challenge common assumptions about aging. Throughout his medical career, Ulene has advocated preventive healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices, principles he said he wanted to put into practice through this expedition.

Despite successfully reaching the summit, the ascent was physically demanding. In an interview with USA Today, Ulene said:

The 2026 summit was not Ulene's first attempt at climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Reports indicate that he successfully reached the summit in 2011 and again in 2017. During another attempt in 2022, he turned back at approximately 17,000 feet after experiencing symptoms that raised concerns about continuing safely at high altitude.

For his latest expedition, Ulene trained through regular walking, stair climbing, strength exercises, and gym workouts to prepare for the physical demands of the ascent.

Ulene celebrated the milestone with members of his family, including his son, daughter, and granddaughter, who accompanied him during the expedition alongside experienced Tanzanian guides.

The group spent several days ascending the mountain, gradually acclimatising to the altitude before reaching Uhuru Peak on his birthday.

Located in northeastern Tanzania, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world's highest free-standing mountain, rising 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level.

Although climbers do not require technical mountaineering skills on the standard routes, the trek remains physically demanding because of its altitude, cold temperatures, and rapidly changing weather conditions. Proper acclimatisation is considered essential to reduce the risk of altitude-related illness.

Dr. Ulene's climb has attracted widespread attention around the world, but the achievement has not yet been officially certified by Guinness World Records.

If verified, the retired physician will become the official oldest person ever to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, adding another milestone to a career dedicated to encouraging healthier lifestyles and active aging.

(Rh/ARC)