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
Rules manual not indexed yet
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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.
Gallery
Box and component photos
Tap any photo to open fullscreen. Photos submitted by the community or publisher.
Rules videos
Learn by watching before you open the box
In English
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How to Play Kavango in 4 Minutes - Rules Girl
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How to Play Kavango | New Board Game | How to Game with Becca Scott
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Kavango - How to Play Board Game. Satisfying drafting, building your conservation.
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Two Minute Overview of Kavango
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Kavango Board Game Overview
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How to Play & Review of Kavango - The Weekly Play/Back Ep 74
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Kavango ? Wildlife Conservation Game ? Do You Have What it Takes to Create the Best Nature Reserve?
Best player count
BGG community vote
1
REC
2
REC
3
REC
4
BEST
5
REC
Soundtrack
Ambience suggested by Melodice
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Mechanics, categories, families and credits
Mechanics
Categories
Families
Publisher
Mazaza Games, MINDOK, Schmidt Spiele
Designer
Matt Brown, Zara Reid
Artist
Matt Brown
Community
Data from BoardGameGeek
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you buy
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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