
- BGG rank
- BGG #307
- BGG rating
- 7.4
Tapestry
- 1–5 players
- 90–120 min
- Complexity 3.0/5
- 2019

Rules assistance for Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape
Plain-language explanations of turns, card effects and disputed situations, with official source references and saved question history.

What would you like to know?
Answers come from the official rulebook, with the page to check.
Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape is an expansion for Caves of Rwenzori released in 2020 for 1–5 players, 45–60 minutes per game, and ages 8 and up. It was designed by James Trower and its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Tile Placement.
Legend tells of the Shadow Ape, a wild beast hidden deep in the dark forgotten belly of the caves. When it catches your scent and roars in the darkness, take out your weapons because nothing will stop his pursuit! The Legend of the Shadow Ape expansion brings new possibilities, challenges and excitement into the game. It includes 12 newly designed weapon cards, five large custom ape meeples, one custom-made die, five magnificently-designed Shadow Ape lair tiles and a pulse-racing new rule set. Run - The Shadows Ape is coming!
Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape supports 1–5 players according to the catalogue. This range comes from the publisher’s listed player count, so the game can be set up for any group size within it. Some setups, rules and scoring details may still vary by player count, so check your edition’s rulebook for the exact configuration.
The listed playing time for Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape is 45–60 minutes. This is the publisher’s estimate for a full game. The actual duration depends on the group, the player count and familiarity with the rules: first sessions usually run longer, while experienced groups often finish faster. Setup and teaching time are not included in this estimate.
The catalogue lists Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape for ages 8 and up. This is the publisher’s recommendation and reflects reading demands, rule complexity and small components rather than theme alone. Younger players can often join with help from an adult, so check the age guidance on your edition and consider your group’s experience with board games.
Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape belongs to these categories: Exploration, Adventure, and Maze. Its main mechanics are Hand Management, Take That, and Tile Placement. Categories describe the theme and setting of a game, while mechanics describe what players actually do on their turns. Each mechanic links to a catalogue hub with similar games, which helps when you want something comparable.
The credited designers of Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape are: James Trower. These credits come from the published game data and name the people responsible for the game’s design, not its illustrators or publishers. Designer pages on MeepleRules collect other titles by the same designers, which helps when you enjoy a game and want to find similar ones.
The catalogue lists Caves of Rwenzori: Legend of the Shadow Ape as an expansion for Caves of Rwenzori. Expansions add new content, rules or scenarios to the base game and usually cannot be played on their own, so you need Caves of Rwenzori to use it. Check that your edition of Caves of Rwenzori is compatible, as some expansions were revised between editions.