René Caillié reaches Timbuktu (1828)

René Caillié arrived in Timbuktu in April 1828, becoming the first European to return alive from the city. Preceded by Major Gordon Laing, who was murdered in 1826, Caillié spent two weeks in the city before crossing the Sahara to Morocco. His journey was funded personally after failing to secure government support, driven by a prize offered by the Société de Géographie.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Timbuktu was an ancient city in Mali, situated north of the Niger River, known for its mystery and wealth. European exploration was prompted by tales of its riches. Caillié, a French explorer, sought to visit the city after returning to Saint-Louis in 1824. He funded his journey personally, encouraged by a 9,000-franc prize from the Société de Géographie for the first person to return with a description.

Journey to Timbuktu. Caillié set off across West Africa in April 1827. He traveled through Fouta Djallon, crossed the Upper Niger, and reached Kankan in June 1827. Detained by illness in Tiémé for five months, he resumed his journey in January 1828, reaching Djenné in March. He arrived in Timbuktu a year after his departure, staying for two weeks before heading north.

Arrival and Departure. Caillié recorded his first impression of Timbuktu, noting it differed from his expectations of grandeur. He spent a fortnight in the city before leaving on 4 May 1828 with a caravan of 600 camels heading across the Sahara to Tangier. He was the first European to return alive, as Major Gordon Laing had been murdered in 1826.

People involved

Sources

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