'The travels described here took place between 1813 and 1814. Burckhardt left Aleppo in 1812 and made his way to Cairo; then carried out two journeys: one along the upper Nile and the other through the Nubian Desert. These travels were edited from Burckhardt's journals by Leake; he also wrote the biographical memoir which is prefaced to the travels. This was the first of Burckhardt's works to be published. The journey was made on behalf of the African Association whose president, Sir Joseph Banks, had recruited Burckhardt for the long and difficult project of exploring Africa. In 1817 Burckhardt began the exploration of the countries of the Niger, but he was attacked by dysentery and died in October of that year' (Blackmer).

Second edition, 4to, xcii, 543 pp., etched portrait frontispiece, 3 maps (2 folding), bound without half-title, a little spotting to plates, contemporary half calf gilt, marbled edges and sides, green morocco lettering pieces, a very handsome copy.