I played Timbuktu for the first time this April, immediately set out finding a copy, did, and have played it twice since. It's a very interesting game, with an easily overstated memory element, which works best for 5 players and runs about 90 minutes.

The basics of the game: each player is trying to get their 5 caravans, each carrying 4 goods, to Timbuktu. However, there are 5 stops necessary along the journey; at 10 of each 25 stops thieves will strike, stealing 2 of the 5 types of goods. Each turn, you know 2 of the 10 places to be hit to start, and learn of 4 others during the round. In addition to losing goods to thieves, you have to pay 1 item to send your camels on a non-standard path.

At the end of the game, each item is valued based on its rarity; the player with the most value in goods delivered wins. It's a nice centerpiece for an evening of gaming - with 5 players. There are rules for 3 and 4, but I'm not really tempted to try them. I think I like Iron Horse more among Dirk Henn's games, but Timbuktu is close.

All that said - Greg Schloesser claims never to have recovered from the explosion of brain cells suffered when he played in April, so it has its detractors as well...