Travels through Central Africa to Timbuctoo

First published in 1830, this two-volume work documents the expedition to Timbuktu of Réné Caillié (1799–1838), the first European explorer to visit the city and return alive. Volume 1 covers his journey to Timbuktu, with detailed accounts of the people, customs and commerce he encountered along the way.

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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 in 1824 from Senegal and eventually reached Timbuktu in 1828, remaining there for a fortnight before returning to France. His travels are recounted here in this two-volume work, first published in English in 1830. Volume 1 covers his outward journey, with detailed accounts of his travels through Saint-Louis, Kankan and other exotic waypoints, and the people, customs and commerce he encountered in the course of his trip. Vividly written, Caillié's work remains a landmark in the history of African exploration and adventure.