After four weeks and four days of visiting, Stanley departed to New York and left Livingsytone in Tabora. Before he departed, Stanley was inspired and excited by Livingstone about the elusive source of the Congo. He returned to New York, published his story and became an instant hero overnight. Soon after he left, on April 30, 1873, Livingstone died.
Stanley returned to the African continent in late 1873 to cover native wars in present-day Ghana. But, as a reporter, he was laughed at. He wanted to establish credibility.