Follow in the footsteps of David Livingstone in Africa

On March 19, 1813, in Blantyre, Scotland, David Livingstone was born into deep poverty. His childhood was spent working in a cotton mill. Unbeknownst to him at the time, he would go on to become one of the most significant explorers in history. His bold journeys across the African continent would lead to a number of firsts and major discoveries for the Western world. This is the remarkable story of David Livingstone in Africa.

A failed missionary; a successful traveler

After graduating from medical school, Livingstone originally hoped to travel to China as a missionary, but the outbreak of the Opium War in 1839 prevented his departure. Inspired by the writings of Thomas Buxton and his meetings with fellow missionary Robert Moffat, Livingstone instead set his sights on Africa, aiming to spread Christianity and help bring an end to slavery across the continent.

Livingstone arrived in South Africa in 1841, where he spent 11 years traveling between missionary stations, spreading Christianity. He had very little success during this period, managing to convert only one African chief of the Kwena tribe to the Christian faith. Despite these setbacks, a new idea began to take shape in his mind: to head north in search of a ‘highway’ into Africa’s interior. By navigating and mapping the rivers of Central Africa, he hoped to connect the region to the coast and encourage more legitimate trade routes.

Livingstone wouldn’t undertake this journey for a few years, as he was first drawn to stories of Lake Ngami in northern Botswana. To reach the lake, he had to cross the Kalahari Desert, a challenge he welcomed. He became the first Westerner to cross the desert. While he had struggled as a missionary, he proved highly skilled at navigating this difficult route across Botswana.

Two key factors contributed to Livingstone’s success as a traveler. First, he packed light. While many missionaries brought large quantities of supplies, Livingstone chose to travel with minimal baggage, bartering for what he needed along the way. Second, he was friendly and respectful toward the tribal chiefs he encountered. Unlike many expeditions that traveled with armed escorts, often met with hostility, Livingstone relied on diplomacy and mutual respect. These lessons in building relationships with local communities still hold true today.

Traversing Africa

In 1852, Livingstone sent his family back to England as he prepared for his most ambitious journey yet: to cross the African continent. He enlisted the help of Sekeletu, chief of the Kololo people, who provided men and supplies for his expedition along the Zambezi River. Once again, Livingstone’s goal was to find a “highway” linking Africa’s interior to its coastal regions.

Although the journey was dangerous and his courage undeniable, Livingstone’s progress depended heavily on his local guides. They were essential for communicating with other tribes and had a far deeper knowledge of the land than Livingstone ever could. The initial expedition was a setback, Livingstone fell ill, and poor route planning quickly led to the loss of vital supplies. But undeterred, he and the Kololo regrouped and formed a new team. On November 16, 1855, Livingstone would go on to discover one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural wonders.

The natural wonder was known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders.” Livingstone, the first Westerner to see it, renamed it Victoria Falls. It’s the largest waterfall on Earth, with about 500 million liters of water plunging over the edge every minute. The mist rises so high it can be seen from 30 miles away, and the roar of the falls can be heard from 25 miles. This moment would become Livingstone’s most well-known achievement. Unfortunately, his later expeditions along the Zambezi were, at best, turbulent, and at worst, disastrous.

While Livingstone was skilled at building trust with local communities, that didn’t make him an effective leader. His relationships with his crew were often strained, and many abandoned the mission due to his poor leadership on such large-scale journeys. In 1862, his wife Mary returned to Africa to join him, but tragically died of malaria that April.

Livingstone attempted to continue his explorations along the Ruvuma River, but once again, bad luck and strained relationships with his crew led to the expedition’s failure. However, one significant achievement during this time was his discovery of Lake Malawi. The lake is home to more species of fish than any other lake in Africa. Although it’s now a protected national park, it still allows local communities to earn a living through fishing.

Livingstone nicknamed it “the Lake of Stars” because the lanterns hanging from the fishermen’s boats reminded him of stars scattered across the night sky. Visitors to Lake Malawi can still witness that starry reflection on the water today.

Disaster on the Nile

Despite the setbacks of his earlier expeditions, David Livingstone remained determined to keep exploring Central Africa. With considerable effort, he secured funding for a new journey, this time to find the source of the Nile River. The expedition would take him through Tanzania, Botswana, Mozambique, and Malawi. Unfortunately, his string of bad luck continued. Many of his crew members once again abandoned him, and nearly all of his supplies and medicine were stolen.

Despite seemingly overwhelming setbacks, Livingstone pressed on. His persistence led to the identification of several African lakes for Western science, including the stunning Lake Ngami in Botswana. But the physical strain and lack of medical supplies took a toll on him, and from 1866 onward, his health steadily declined. His worsening condition forced him to rely on slave traders for both supplies and guidance. By 1873, Livingstone was too weak to walk without assistance. Still, he refused to return to England. In late April of that year, David Livingstone died in the village of Chipundu, in present-day Zambia.

Over 25 years of exploring Africa, Livingstone experienced many setbacks. He failed to spread Christianity widely, never established a trade route into the interior, and did not discover the source of the Nile. But what never wavered was his determination, his skill as a traveler, and the deep relationships he formed with local communities.

Make it happen

Has this got you feeling inspired to follow in the footsteps of David Livingstone in Africa? Get in touch with our local experts today who can tailor your next grand adventure!

1. South Africa
2. Tanzania
3. Botswana
4. Malawi