Whether you are hosting a braai or trying to ensure that your home is toasty for the winter, Namibian Kameeldoring ticks all the boxes for a firewood that burns for long periods of time and at high temperatures.
Ready to braai? Buy kameeldoring, 18kg bag, dry guaranteed →
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What is Kameeldoring?
Vachellia erioloba, also known as Acacia Erioloba, Camel Thorn (or Kameeldoring in Afrikaans), or Giraffe Thorn, is a tree that naturally grows in deep, dry, sandy soils found in parts of South Africa, western Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. Decorated with bright, sweet smelling, yellow puff flowers, these thorny trees feed giraffes, which reach past the thorns (up to 60mm long) with their long tongues to eat the leaves. The Afrikaans for giraffe is kameelperd, which is where the name kameeldoring comes from. Kameeldoring trees can grow up to 16 metres high and are immensely dense and strong, making them hardy in drought conditions and quite frost-resistant. The desert climate it grows in leaves the wood far drier than most local firewood by the time it is harvested. The wood is one of the most-loved in southern Africa and when roasted, the seeds of a Kameeldoring tree can be used as a substitute for coffee. Due to clearing for building and infrastructure overtime, alongside uncontrolled harvesting, the species is currently under protection. For this reason, only dead trees and fallen branches may be collected. Harvesters are required to carry permits at all times, to be shown on request.
Best uses of Kameeldoring
With its long-lasting heat and appetising aroma, Kameeldoring makes for the perfect braai wood, especially when catering for a large number of people, where more food needs to be cooked. It is also ideal for cooking potjiekos, which requires consistent, steady heat for extended periods of time. This is important to allow all the flavours in the pot to properly stew and infuse the meat. Kameeldoring is also a great wood for fire pits and for open fireplaces, where it keeps a room warm and cosy. For a closed-combustion unit we recommend bloekom or blackwattle instead. Always follow your unit’s manual. For an open fireplace or the braai, order kameeldoring here. In an open fireplace, burning it with bloekom or blackwattle gives you both: bloekom for the flame, kameeldoring for the coals.
How long does it take to produce coals?
Due to the low moisture content and density of Kameeldoring, no energy is wasted in burning off any excess moisture. It takes a while to catch, then gives you a deep bed of hot coals.
How long do coals last?
The coals produced are extremely hot, maintaining a high and consistent temperature. The coals hold their heat long after the flames die down.
What fragrance does Kameeldoring release?
This Namibian hardwood is known and loved for releasing a natural musky fragrance and producing minimal smoke due to the low sap and residue content. Braai meat is infused with a great tasting smoky flavour that will have your guests asking for seconds.
Where to buy kameeldoring in Cape Town
Although typically a bit more expensive than other types of wood, the extra value it gives makes up for it, considering the quality cooking potential and long-lasting heat production this wood has to offer. At The Firewood Company, we offer bagged kameeldoring, 18kg from one bag up to bulk orders of 40+ bags, alongside the rest of our Namibian hardwood range. We deliver across Cape Town, the Winelands and the West Coast — see delivery areas and fees. Not sure how many bags? Build my order for me.
