Travels in the Interior Districts of Africa

A fascinating account of Park’s two journeys of exploration to West Africa. In the first of these, in 1795, he charted the course of the Gambia River for 200 miles before heading into the interior. During a perilous journey he was held captive by a tribe of Moors for several months before managing to escape and then, on his return, fell extremely ill and was cared for by a village chief for many months more, finally returning to the coast two years after setting out. Park began his final journey in 1805, intending to explore the Niger River but over half of his expedition team died within six months of fever or dysentery. Pushing on, Park and the remaining members of his team died some months later, apparently drowning when their canoe was attacked by hostile tribesmen. They had travelled roughly three quarters of the length of the Niger.