Savannah Café (2001) Board Game

Savannah Café is a board game released in 2001 by Descartes Editeur. The game is designed for 2 to 4 players and has a runtime of about 20 minutes. It is set in the beautiful savannah of Kenya and features adorable animal characters such as deer, antelope, hippos, and lions. Players take on the role of café owners trying to attract the most customers to their establishment.

Game Components of Savannah Café

Animal Pawns: Each player has three pawns – a lion, a gazelle, and a hippopotamus.

Cards: A deck of cards with specific animal movements (gazelle, lion, hippopotamus).

Game Board: A board representing the savannah with a cafe at the end.

Player Tokens: Color-coded tokens for each player.

How To Setup Savannah Café

Setup is straightforward: each player chooses a color, takes the corresponding animal pawns, and places them in the designated starting positions on the board. The gazelle starts at the furthest back space, followed by the lion, and then the hippo. The card deck is shuffled, and each player is dealt three cards. The remaining cards form a draw pile. The youngest player begins, and play proceeds clockwise.

Gameplay Mechanics and Game Objective

Objective: Be the first player to get one of your animal pawns to the cafe at the end of the board.

Card Mechanics:

Gazelle Cards: Either move 0 spaces or sprint forward 1-9 spaces.

Lion Cards: Move forward 1-4 spaces or eat a gazelle, sending it back to the start.

Hippo Cards: Move forward 1-2 spaces or move an opponent’s lion backward 1-8 spaces.

Turn Structure: Draw a card, decide to keep it or trade it with an opponent, then play the card to move your animal.

Player Experience

Savannah Café is an easy-to-learn game that is perfect for non-gamers and those looking for a quick filler game. Games typically last between 10-15 minutes, although they can sometimes extend to 30 minutes or be as short as 5 minutes with lucky draws. The game has simple rules and minimal strategic decisions, making it accessible to a wide range of players.

Pros

Easy to Learn: Simple rules make it quick to start playing.

Fast-paced: Games are generally short, making it a good filler.

Family-friendly: Suitable for players aged 7 and above.

Beautiful Graphics: The game features attractive and thematic artwork.

Cons

Limited Strategy: The game lacks deep strategic elements.

Luck-dependent: Outcomes can be heavily influenced by card draws.

Repetitive: Some players may find the gameplay repetitive.

Personal Thoughts on Savannah Café

Savannah Café is ideal for families, casual gamers, or those looking for a quick, light-hearted game to fill a gap. While it may not offer the depth and complexity some gamers crave, it excels as a fun, easy-to-play experience that can be enjoyed by a wide audience. It is particularly suitable for introducing children to board games due to its simple mechanics and short playtime. However, for more seasoned gamers, it might feel too simplistic and luck-driven.

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