Mungo Park was a Scottish explorer born in 1771, known for his expeditions in West Africa. He is best recognized for his attempts to navigate the Niger River, which he first reached in 1796. His journeys provided valuable information about the geography and cultures of the region. Park's explorations were significant for European understanding of Africa during the late 18th century. Unfortunately, he faced many challenges, including disease and hostile encounters. He died in 1806 during his second expedition, but his work laid the groundwork for future explorers and contributed to the study of African geography.