Livingston & Stanley Monument
The Livingstone-Stanley Monument at Mugere in Burundi is a historic site that commemorates the visit of the famous explorer and missionary Dr. David Livingstone and the journalist and explorer Henry Morton Stanley in November 1871. This location is situated approximately 12 kilometers south of the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, and offers a picturesque view overlooking Lake Tanganyika. In French, it is referred to as "La Pierre de Livingstone et Stanley."
Although some Burundians claim that this site is where the legendary first encounter between Livingstone and Stanley occurred, during which Stanley is said to have uttered the famous words, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" historical evidence points to a different location. The actual meeting between the two explorers took place in Ujiji, Tanzania, on November 10, 1871. This iconic moment is well-documented in Stanley's book, "How I Found Livingstone."
Based on their writings, the visit to Mugere appears to have taken place on November 25-27, 1871. Livingstone and Stanley described this visit as one of the most hospitable experiences they had during their explorations. Visitors to the monument can see the date "25 November 1871" scratched onto the rock, providing a historical reference.
During their time at Mugere, the explorers also encountered the village of Chief Mukropeans, which added to the memorable nature of their visit. Over time, it seems that some people may have confused the events at Mugere with the famous first meeting between Livingstone and Stanley, which actually happened in Ujiji. Nonetheless, the Livingstone-Stanley Monument at Mugere serves as a significant historical landmark and a testament to the explorations and adventures of these two famous individuals.