Kavango

Mazaza Games, MINDOK, Schmidt Spiele · Board game · 2024
1–5 · best 4 Solo 40–60 min Weight 2.3/5
8.2 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Buy · from US$ 35.63
8.2 rating Ludopedia
7.8 rating BGG
Our Verdict
RECOMMENDED

Folks who enjoy thematic and management games with a conservation twist will love Kavango! It's a gorgeous and strategic card game that transports you straight to the savanna.

Highlights
  • Strong conservation theme
  • High replayability
  • Smooth mechanics
  • Stunning visuals
Keep in mind
  • Requires English reading
  • Can be a bit complex
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About the game

What you do in a play session

Get ready for an adventure in the African savanna with Kavango! In this game, you step into the role of a conservation expert tasked with transforming a wilderness into a vibrant nature reserve teeming with life. Across three fast-paced rounds, Kavango utilizes simultaneous action selection and a card drafting system to keep everyone engaged. Each turn, you'll choose animal and research cards, managing your hand to create a balanced ecosystem. Earn money by completing research tasks to invest in protecting vulnerable and endangered species, ensuring your reserve is a safe haven. As the game progresses, your decisions become more strategic and complex, culminating in building the highest-scoring reserve. The creators, inspired by their experiences in Botswana, have delivered a deeply thematic and realistic take on conservation in Southern Africa. With an impressive variety of 160 species cards, 45 research cards, and 10 unique conservation experts, replayability is high, reflecting the incredible biodiversity of the region. Kavango offers an immersive experience that blends strategy, resource management, and an educational touch on the importance of environmental preservation.

Rules videos

Learn by watching before you open the box

7 videos

Best player count

BGG community vote

1–5 players
1 REC
2 REC
3 REC
4 BEST
5 REC

Where to Buy

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Game details

Mechanics, categories, families and credits

Families

Continents: Africa Country: Angola Country: Botswana Country: Namibia Country: South Africa Country: Zimbabwe Crowdfunding: Kickstarter Theme: Environmental Protection / Degradation / Pollution Theme: Safaris Theme: Zoos, Aquaria, Safari Parks
Publisher Mazaza Games, MINDOK, Schmidt Spiele
Designer Matt Brown, Zara Reid
Artist Matt Brown

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers before you buy

6 questions
What is the average playtime for Kavango?
A game of Kavango typically lasts between 40 and 60 minutes, depending on the number of players and how familiar everyone is with the rules.
How many players can play Kavango?
The game supports 1 to 5 players, making it versatile for solo players and larger groups alike.
Is Kavango a difficult game to learn?
Kavango has moderate complexity, with a BGG weight of 2.28. It's not overly complex but requires some attention to master the strategies.
Do I need to know English to play Kavango?
Yes, the game has extensive text on its cards and components, requiring a good understanding of English to play the original version.
What makes Kavango special?
The combination of a well-executed conservation theme, beautiful art, and engaging mechanics like drafting and simultaneous action selection makes it a unique and rewarding experience.
Is there a lot of variation between games?
With 160 species cards, 45 research cards, and 10 different experts, there's a huge amount of variety, ensuring each game is a fresh experience.

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