Mansa Musa of the Mali Empire is perhaps one of the most famous African rulers. His reign from 1312 to 1337 is noted for its opulence and the significant expansion of the empire. Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca in 1324 is legendary, as he reportedly traveled with a caravan that included thousands of soldiers, attendants, and camels loaded with gold. His generosity and lavish spending during the journey significantly impacted the economies of the regions he passed through.