How did David Livingstone become the first European to cross the African continent?

David Livingstone became the first European to cross the width of the African continent during an arduous expedition that began in 1853. Driven by his mission to open paths for Christianity, commerce, and civilization to combat the slave trade, he set out from Linyanti on November 11, 1853, with a small party of Makololo followers.12

His journey was characterized by immense physical endurance. He traveled northwest to reach Luanda on the Atlantic coast by May 31, 1854. After recovering his health, he began the return journey in September 1854 to escort his followers home and continue his exploration of the Zambezi River. He arrived back at Linyanti in September 1855 and subsequently traveled eastward, reaching Quelimane on the coast of Mozambique in May 1856. During this final leg, he famously became the first European to see Victoria Falls. By completing this traverse, Livingstone successfully opened a route across the continent, cementing his legacy as a pioneering explorer.21