French explorer Rene Caillie (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 Caillie's expedition no explorer had returned alive. Encouraged by the 10,000 francs offered by the Societe de Geographie 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 the people, customs and commerce he encountered on the way. Volume 2 covers his time in Timbuktu, its tribal conflict and slavery, and the return journey across the Sahara Desert while suffering from fever and fatigue. Vividly written, Caillie's work remains a landmark in the history of African exploration and adventure.

Table of Contents

Volume 1: Advertisement; Introduction; 1. Pedestrian journey from St Louis to Neyreh; 2. The author is forced to turn physician; 3. Method of cultivating and using millet; 4. Difficulty in going to market; 5. Disappointments experienced at St Louis; 6. Departure of the author on his great expedition; 7. Popoco; 8. Bridge over the Tankisso; 9. Description of Baleya; 10. Further account of Kankan and its environs; 11. Wassoulo; 12. Abode at Time; 13. Description of Time and its environs; 14. Departure from Time; 15. Cultivation of tobacco; 16. Oulasso; 17. Dwarf cotton; 18. Crossing the Dhioliba. Volume 2: 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.