Vittorio Bottego (Parma 1860, Africa 1897) was an italian army officier and one of the first explorers of the Juba region in Africa where he leaded two expeditions.

In his first expedition (1892-1893) he explored the regions near the Uebi and Jmi rivers in the Giuba, arriving up to the clifts of mounts Faches.

In his second expedition (1895-1897) he ventured in the still then unknown region of High Giuba, Lake Rodolfo and the Sobat, along the Omo river, trying to return passing through Ethiopia, then under war. There he found his death near Jellen in a battle with the Galla tribe. His body was never found and his last story told years later by two of his companions, Vannutelli and Citerni, survived to the battle and kept in prison for two years by Menelik, king of Ethiopia.

Main writings:

-Viaggi di scoperta nel cuore dell'Africa (?Roma, 1895?)

-L'esplorazione del Giuba (Roma, 1895)

-By his companions Vannutelli and Citerni: Seconda spedizione Bottego: l'Omo (Milano, 1899)