Map of the German Emin Pasha Expedition according to the Itinerary of Dr. Carl Peters (1891) is a richly detailed chronicle of an audacious inland thrust from the Indian Ocean to the Great Lakes. Tracing Peters’s 1888 route, it leads the eye from Zanzibar, Tanga, and Bagamoyo across the Usambara and Kilimanjaro region toward Lake Victoria, with branches reaching into Uganda and Equatoria. A finely articulated hydrological network—rivers, branching channels, and tributaries—anchors the interior, while colored regional demarcations and sketched political boundaries convey the era’s negotiating lines. The Anglo-German Treaty line is crisply marked, its arc a visual shorthand for late 19th-century power-brokering. A precise legend and compass rose frame the cartographer’s intention: itinerary as argument, geography as claim.

Historically, the map captures a pivotal moment in the Scramble for Africa when German ambition pressed inland against British designs. Peters—founder of the Society for German Colonization—pursued influence over Equatoria and Uganda in a controversial campaign that included planting German flags along caravan corridors. His brutal tactics later provoked public outrage; he fled to London and, in a telling coda to the age’s politics, was posthumously pardoned by Adolf Hitler. Set against the backdrop of the 1890 Heligoland–Zanzibar Agreement, the map is both artifact and instrument, displaying how cartography recorded, rationalized, and attempted to fix in place competing imperial aspirations.

Geographically, the sheet is a lucid portrait of East Africa’s great water and mountain systems. Lake Victoria appears as the grand inland sea, joined by Lake Albert to the northwest; the Tana and Kagera Rivers unspool across the terrain, guiding the caravan logic of movement. Mountain belts—the Usambara range and the Kilimanjaro region—rise alongside imperially christened massifs such as the Kaiser Wilhelm II and Friedrich Franz Mountains, their names revealing the politics inscribed onto the land. Coastal emporia like Mombasa and Zanzibar give way to interior nodes including Ujiji and the Serengeti area, while Equatoria and the Emin Pasha Province mark the map’s northern horizon. Contour-like shading, a clear key, and restrained decorative elements complete the late 19th-century visual grammar.

The expedition route itself is meticulously delineated, threading from the Tanzania coast toward Lake Victoria with camps and tent symbols punctuating progress. Notations of flag-planting sites lend an unmistakable geopolitical charge: these are waypoints of assertion as much as of navigation. The path often hugs river valleys, skirts open savanna, and leverages highland passes, mirroring the logistical realities of caravan travel. Along the way, historically resonant places—Bagamoyo as staging ground, the coastal remnants near the Ruins of Gedi, and inland corridors toward Uganda—convey both strategic intent and the friction of terrain. Every bend and bivouac transforms the map into a narrative of movement, encounter, and claim-making.

For collectors, this map’s resonance lies in how it foreshadows modern borders across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi while revealing the improvisation behind them. The Anglo-German boundary swings across the page like a prelude to later partitions; settlements, missionary stations, and caravan towns sketch a network later formalized by rail and protectorate. Equatoria and the Emin Pasha Province signal a contested northern frontier, while the Kilimanjaro region and Usambara highlands mark Germany’s inland aspirations. It is a powerful, ethically complex document—an elegant visualization of geography pressed into imperial service, and a rare, candid witness to the geopolitical calculations that shaped East Africa at the close of the 19th century.

Places on this map

• Lake Victoria
• Tana River
• Kaiser Wilhelm II Mountains
• Friedrich Franz Mountains
• Zanzibar
• Ujiji
• Usambara Mountains
• Nairobi
• Mombasa
• Kilimanjaro Region
• Emin Pasha Province
• Uganda
• Equatoria
• Tanga
• Tanzania Coast
• Serengeti Area
• Bagamoyo
• Ruins of Gedi
• Kilindi
• Kagera River
• Lake Albert

Notable Features & Landmarks

• Rivers: Major rivers are indicated, including the Tana River.
• Lakes: Lake Victoria and others are prominently displayed.
• Settlements: Several settlements are marked, reflecting areas of German influence.
• Mountains: Kaiser Wilhelm II Mountains and Friedrich Franz Mountains are named.
• Flag Locations: Points where Peters planted the German flag are indicated.
• Anglo-German Treaty Line: The boundary extending the German sphere of influence is marked.
• Routes: Carl Peters's expedition route is clearly delineated.
• Camps: Tent locations or camps may be illustrated.
• Topographical Features: Contours and elevations are depicted to show the landscape.
• City Labels: Various cities and towns are labeled.
• Waterways: Branching channels and tributaries are shown.
• Political Boundaries: Borders between regions of interest are sketched out.
• Legend/Key: An explanatory legend may be provided to clarify marked features.
• Compass Rose: Orientation of the map may include a compass for navigation reference.
• Decorative Elements: Possible ornamental designs characteristic of the period.

Historical and design context

• Map Title: Map of the German Emin Pasha Expedition according to the Itinerary of Dr. Carl Peters
• Creator: Dr. Carl Peters, an influential proponent of German colonization
• Date Created: 1891
• Historical Context of the Mapmaker: Carl Peters was controversial for his role in the colonization of East Africa. He founded the Society for German Colonization, was involved in unsanctioned expeditions, and eventually faced severe backlash for his brutal tactics. He fled to London after negative public sentiment and was later pardoned posthumously by Adolf Hitler.
• Thematic Focus: Illustrates Peters's 1888 expedition to bolster German colonial influence in East Africa, particularly Uganda and Equatoria; reflects European colonization dynamics, geopolitical tension, and territorial negotiations.
• Countries and Regions Depicted: Parts of modern-day Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi, emphasizing the area from the Indian Ocean inland to Lake Victoria.
• Design and Style: Detailed hydrological representation with colored regions and labeled features; characteristic of late 19th-century cartography, combining topographical methods with artistic renditions.
• Historical Significance: Highlights early German colonial ambitions in East Africa and encounters between European powers; serves as a record of Peters's expedition and the imperialist context of the era.

Please double check the images to make sure that a specific town or place is shown on this map. You can also get in touch and ask us to check the map for you.

This map looks great at every size, but I always recommend going for a larger size if you have space. That way you can easily make out all of the details.

This map looks amazing at sizes all the way up to 100in (250cm). If you are looking for a larger map, please get in touch.

Please note: the labels on this map are hard to read if you order a map that is 16in (40cm) or smaller. The map is still very attractive, but if you would like to read the map easily, please buy a larger size.

The model in the listing images is holding the 16x16in (40x40cm) version of this map.

The fifth listing image shows an example of my map personalisation service.

If you’re looking for something slightly different, check out my collection of the best old maps to see if something else catches your eye.

Please contact me to check if a certain location, landmark or feature is shown on this map.

This would make a wonderful birthday, Christmas, Father's Day, work leaving, anniversary or housewarming gift for someone from the areas covered by this map.

This map is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. The frame is a nice, simple black frame that suits most aesthetics. Please get in touch if you'd like a different frame colour or material. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.

This map is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The map is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present a map without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas maps and explore the differences between my different finishes.

For something truly unique, this map is also available in "Unique 3D", our trademarked process that dramatically transforms the map so that it has a wonderful sense of depth. We combine the original map with detailed topography and elevation data, so that mountains and the terrain really "pop". For more info and examples of 3D maps, check my Unique 3D page.

Many of our maps and art prints are chosen as thoughtful gifts for homes, offices, studies and meaningful places.

Choose a framed option for the easiest ready-to-hang gift, or choose an unframed print if the recipient may prefer to select their own frame.

We make orders locally in 23 countries around the world, so gifts can often be produced close to the recipient. This helps them arrive faster, travel more safely, and avoid customs or import duty surprises.

• We can deliver directly to the recipient
• Framed pieces arrive ready to hang
• Unframed prints are carefully packed in a strong protective tube
• Almost every order is made locally, for faster, safer gifting
• 90-day returns give the recipient time to decide

If you are not sure what to choose, please contact us. We can help you pick the right map, size, finish or delivery option.

Most orders are made locally and delivered in around 2–3 working days, depending on the product, size and destination.

We print and frame maps and artwork in 23 countries around the world, so your order is usually made close to you or your recipient. That means faster delivery, less time in transit, and no customs or import duty surprises.

Personalised and customised pieces usually take an extra 1–2 working days, because we prepare your design and send it to you for approval before printing.

Very large framed orders can take a little longer, as they need extra care in production and delivery.

Every order is carefully packaged: unframed prints are sent in a strong protective tube, while framed pieces are securely packed with protective materials around the frame.

If you need your order by a particular date, please contact us before ordering. We’ll check the best production route and delivery option for your location.

Express delivery is available at checkout for most countries. Next-day delivery is available in the UK, US, Singapore and the UAE.

Your order is covered by our 90-day returns policy and 5-year guarantee.

Read our full delivery and local production guide

My standard frame is a gallery style black ash hardwood frame. It is simple and quite modern looking. My standard frame is around 20mm (0.8in) wide.

I use super-clear acrylic (perspex/acrylite) for the frame glass. It's lighter and safer than glass - and it looks better, as the reflectivity is lower.

Six standard frame colours are available for free (black, dark brown, dark grey, oak, white and antique gold). Custom framing and mounting/matting is available if you're looking for something else.

Most maps, art and illustrations are also available as a framed canvas. We use matte (not shiny) cotton canvas, stretch it over a sustainably sourced box wood frame, and then 'float' the piece within a wood frame. The end result is quite beautiful, and there's no glazing to get in the way.

All frames are provided "ready to hang", with either a string or brackets on the back. Very large frames will have heavy duty hanging plates and/or a mounting baton. If you have any questions, please get in touch.

See some examples of my framed maps and framed canvas maps.

Alternatively, I can also supply old maps and artwork on canvas, foam board, cotton rag and other materials.

If you want to frame your map or artwork yourself, please read my size guide first.

My maps are extremely high quality reproductions of original maps.

I source original, rare maps from libraries, auction houses and private collections around the world, restore them at my London workshop, and then use specialist giclée inks and printers to create beautiful maps that look even better than the original.

My maps are printed on acid-free archival matte (not glossy) paper that feels very high quality and almost like card. In technical terms the paper weight/thickness is 10mil/200gsm. It's perfect for framing.

I print with Epson ultrachrome giclée UV fade resistant pigment inks - some of the best inks you can find.

I can also make maps on canvas, cotton rag and other exotic materials.

Learn more about The Unique Maps Co.

Map personalisation

If you're looking for the perfect anniversary or housewarming gift, I can personalise your map to make it truly unique. For example, I can add a short message, or highlight an important location, or add your family's coat of arms.

The options are almost infinite. Please see my map personalisation page for some wonderful examples of what's possible.

To order a personalised map, select "personalise your map" before adding it to your basket.

Get in touch if you're looking for more complex customisations and personalisations.

Map ageing

I have been asked hundreds of times over the years by customers if they could buy a map that looks even older.

Well, now you can, by selecting Aged before you add a map to your basket.

All the product photos you see on this page show the map in its Original form. This is what the map looks like today.

If you select Aged, I will age your map by hand, using a special and unique process developed through years of studying old maps, talking to researchers to understand the chemistry of aging paper, and of course... lots of practice!

If you're unsure, stick to the Original colour of the map. If you want something a bit darker and older looking, go for Aged.

See some amazing examples of Aged maps.

Se non sei soddisfatto del tuo ordine per qualsiasi motivo, contattami per un rimborso senza problemi. Si prega di consultare la nostra politica di reso e rimborso per ulteriori informazioni.

Sono molto sicuro che ti piacerà la tua mappa restaurata o la stampa d'arte. Lo faccio dal 1984. Sono un venditore Etsy a 5 stelle. Ho venduto decine di migliaia di mappe e stampe d'arte e ho oltre 5.000 recensioni reali a 5 stelle.

Utilizzo un processo unico per restaurare mappe e opere d'arte che richiede molto tempo e lavoro. Trovare le mappe e le illustrazioni originali può richiedere mesi. Utilizzo tecnologia all'avanguardia e incredibilmente costosa per scannerizzare e restaurarle. Di conseguenza, garantisco che le mie mappe e stampe d'arte siano superiori alle altre - ecco perché posso offrire un rimborso senza problemi.

Quasi tutte le mie mappe e stampe d'arte sembrano fantastiche a grandi dimensioni (200 cm, 6,5 piedi+) e posso anche incorniciarle e consegnarle a te, tramite un corriere speciale per oggetti di grandi dimensioni. Contattami per discutere delle tue esigenze specifiche.