Life and Travels of Mungo Park in Central Africa

First published in 1799, Travels in the Interior of Africa is the Scottish explorer Mungo Park’s account of his journey through Senegal and Mali to the central portion of the Niger River, the first time a Westerner is known to have reached such cen ... Read more

First published in 1799, Travels in the Interior of Africa is the Scottish explorer Mungo Park’s account of his journey through Senegal and Mali to the central portion of the Niger River, the first time a Westerner is known to have reached such central regions. With the backing of Sir Joseph Banks, Park was employed (for £11 a month) to journey solo though unknown lands to seek out the legendary city of “Tambuctoo” and try and ascertain the course of, and if possible, termination point of the river Niger. Park’s kit which greeted him upon arrival on the Gold coast was basic to say the least: two shotguns, two compasses, a sextant, a thermometer, a small medicine chest, a wide-brimmed hat, an umbrella and, bizarrely, a blue dress coat with brass buttons (four of which he’d later gift to a native woman for her kindness to him) and a silver-topped cane. 100 miles up the Gambia river, at an English outpost, Park spent 5 months preparing for the journey – which included learning the local language of Mandingo, and succumbing to a month-long bout of malarial fever (which probably ended up saving him later on). Less