The triumphant return of a Reiner Knizia classic.
Build long, sweeping caravans to score points at watering holes and oases. Claim territory before your opponents!
Reiner Knizia's enduring classic; the iconic camels and elegant gameplay will captivate newcomers and longtime fans alike.
Through The Desert shines in how tight the gameplay can be. At the beginning of the game, the map looks wide open. But, as turns progress, it becomes harder and harder to score points. There's a "knife-fight-in-a-phone-booth" nature to the gameplay that reveals itself towards the end.
What Makes Through The Desert Special
Timeless Classic
A beloved classic gets the Allplay treatment. Decades of “play-testing” in the international tabletop community are on our side. It’s a title that’s truly worthy of the “timeless” label. Also, the incredible camel minis are back and better than ever!
Each Turn Is Important
There’s no time to waste when water is on the line. You only get 2 camel placements each turn. Do you get to that oasis before you’re blocked? Do you claim that valuable watering hole before your opponent? Or, do you lock in big points by blocking off a part of the board and claiming that territory?
Multiple Scoring Strategies
With a randomly seeded board and different play styles at every table, Through The Desert rewards both creativity and adaptability. As the game progresses, new opportunities open up as some disappear like a mirage. There’s no time to dwell on a missed opportunity. Take advantage of a different scoring option or area of the map! You’re almost never out of it!
How To Make The Best Caravans
Strategy
Don't Forget Your Options
There are many ways to score in Through The Desert. Don't focus too hard on one strategy if it's easily blocked. If there's a lot of heat on one area of the board, maybe you can quietly surround some tiles or scoop up easy oasis spaces!
Take Your Time With Initial Placements
The beginning of Through The Desert has a lot of strategy! For some groups, the table talk starts before the first camel is even placed. Because the board is randomly seeded, the most optimal-looking areas change every game!
Tempo, tempo, tempo
When the board is empty, it looks like you can score everywhere. But, as it fills up, your opportunities dry up fast. Always think about tempo: that is, if there are moves that can't wait under threat of blocking, do those before moves elsewhere!
Components
No sand included.
1 Double-Sided Board
5 Leader Color Markers
25 Leaders (5 Per Player)
175 Camels (35 Of Each Color)
5 Largest Caravan Tokens
5 Oasis Markers
44 Point Tokens
45 Waterhole Tokens
Playing Time: 20 mins
Players: 2 to 4
Age Range: 11+
It may not be possible to ship very heavy items outside of the Mainland UK.
Released: 06 March 2026
