Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo
And across the Great Desert, to Morocco, Performed in the Years 1824–1828

Published in 1830, this two-volume work documents the pioneering expedition of the French explorer Réné Caillié (1799–1838) to Timbuktu.

René Caillié (Author)

9781108061087, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 28 March 2013

530 pages, 4 b/w illus. 2 maps
21.6 x 14 x 3 cm, 0.67 kg

French explorer Réné Caillié (1799–1838) was the first European to document a successful expedition to Timbuktu, Africa's elusive 'city of gold'. Europeans were not welcome there, and until Caillié's expedition no explorer had returned alive. Encouraged by the 10,000 francs offered by the Société de Géographie to the first non-Muslim to bring back information on the city, he set out from Senegal in 1824 and eventually reached Timbuktu in 1828. His travels are recounted here in this two-volume work, first published in English in 1830. Volume 2 covers the final part of his journey to Timbuktu, where he stayed for two weeks. Including his impressions of the peoples, tribal conflict, slavery, customs and commerce, the volume concludes with an account of his journey home across the Sahara Desert, and his survival in spite of suffering from fever and fatigue. Vividly written, Caillié's work remains a landmark in the history of African exploration and adventure.

Preface
19. Departure for Timbuctoo
20. Tongom
21. Journey from Cabra to Timbuctoo
22. Departure from Timbuctoo
23. Violence of the east winds
24. Wells of Amoul-Gragin
25. Country of el-Drah
26. Description of Talifet
27. Description of el-Fez
Geographical remarks and inquiries.

Subject Areas: African history [HBJH]