In 1827, French explorer René Caillié set out to become the first European to reach the fabled city of Timbuktu - and return alive. In the first part of our story, we learn about the history of Timbuktu, the Niger River, and West Africa. We then look at the early years of Caillié's life - growing up in poverty without parents - and his first excursions to Africa beginning at age 16. And then, in 1824, the Société de Géographie in Paris would offer a 9,000 franc prize to the first European to reach Timbuktu - and return to tell about. And thus Caillié immersed himself in the culture and religion of the local people in order to strike out on his own - and win the grand prize.

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