Travels in the Interior of Africa -- Volume 01

Travels in the Interior of Africa – Volume 1 is the first part of Mungo Park's famous account of his expedition into the African interior first published in 1799. In this volume Park recounts his journey to explore the unknown regions of West Africa particularly focusing on his search for the Niger River. It covers his first expedition which began in 1795 when he was commissioned by the African Association to trace the course of the Niger and ascertain its source. Park’s narrative offers detailed descriptions of the geography the people and the cultures he encountered. He writes about his interactions with African communities some of whom were welcoming and others hostile. The text is rich with insights into the challenges of navigating unfamiliar and often dangerous terrain including harsh weather sickness and the threat of violence from both wild animals and human adversaries.