Which form of travel was most important to the gold–salt trade in early West African kingdoms?

Camel caravans were the key means of travel across the Sahara, linking West African gold-producing regions with North African salt markets. Camels could carry heavy loads and travel long distances with little water, making them far more practical for this trade than riverboats, sailing ships, or horse-drawn wagons.

AI-written and checked against the verified answer.