Source of the Nile
1–6 players • Avalon Hill • 1978
- Publisher
- Avalon Hill
- First published
- 1978
- Players
- 1–6 players
How it plays
Source of the Nile plays 1–6 players.
Where to find one
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Where it came from
Source of the Nile was published by Avalon Hill in 1978, emerging during a period when the company was expanding its catalog beyond its signature wargames into more thematic, adventurous tabletop experiences. Designed by David Wesely and Ross Maker, the game was inspired by the 19th-century explorations of the African continent, tasking players with mapping the interior, avoiding hazards, and managing resources while contending with the fickle nature of the terrain.
The game is widely recognized for its high degree of randomness and its focus on the perilous, often solitary nature of Victorian-era discovery. Its map-making mechanic, which required players to place tiles as they explored, offered a sense of organic discovery that felt distinct from the rigid, hex-based tactical combat games that defined the Avalon Hill brand at the time. It remains a cult classic among enthusiasts for its uncompromising difficulty and its historical dedication to the atmosphere of the 'Scramble for Africa' expeditions.
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Who's collecting this
Real games collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Source of the Nile
Source of the Nile is a game in the Board Games catalog on collecto.rs. 1–6 players • Avalon Hill • 1978. Catalog data is sourced from Wikidata. No public games collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How do you play Source of the Nile?
Source of the Nile is a board game for 1–6 players. collecto.rs catalogues the game, not its rules — for the full rulebook, use the copy in the box or the publisher's own site.
How many players is Source of the Nile for?
Source of the Nile is built for 1–6 players. That count comes from this catalog entry alone — nothing from an expansion or a spin-off is folded into it.
Who publishes Source of the Nile?
Source of the Nile is published by Avalon Hill. The catalog gives its publication year as 1978.
Has Source of the Nile won any awards?
Yes — the catalog entry for Source of the Nile lists Charles S. Roberts Award for Best Amateur Game and Charles S. Roberts Award for Best Pre-20th Century Board Game.
How many collectors track Source of the Nile on collecto.rs?
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Can I track my own copy of Source of the Nile?
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Where does the Source of the Nile catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Source of the Nile is sourced from Wikidata. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
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