Early & Traditional Transport in Africa
Before engines, geography shaped movement across the continent
Walking Paths & Trade Routes
Before modern vehicles, people walked across Africa using natural paths shaped by geography. These walking trails connected villages, kingdoms, and trade routes that spanned the continent.
Mapping Africa’s ancient trade routes
Camels were used for caravan trade across the Sahara Desert.
In the savannas and Sahel, donkeys and horses carried goods and people.
Animal Transport
Camels were used for caravan trade across the Sahara Desert. In the savannas and Sahel, donkeys and horses carried goods and people.
Did You Know? 💡
Camel caravans could travel 20–30 days across the Sahara, linking places like Timbuktu and Cairo.
Water Transport
Large and small boats sailed Africa’s rivers and coasts; wooden canoes, reed boats, and traditional dhows.
Did You Know? 🚤
Goods like salt, gold, and ivory flowed down the Niger River and out to coastal trade cities.
🦶 Early Travel
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🐪 Animal Transport
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🚣 Water Transport
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🚆 Railways
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