Kameeldoring or sekelbos? Buy kameeldoring for a long braai: it settles into a deep bed of coals and holds while the meat goes on in rounds. Buy sekelbos (sekeldoring) when you want the fire going fast: smaller pieces that light quicker and burn fiercer.
Both are Namibian hardwood, both cost R120 for a ±18kg bag and both are covered by our Dry Guarantee. Delivered and stacked in Cape Town from R200 a drop.
The Firewood Company, Parow · 25 years, 700+ Google reviews at 4.9
Kameeldoring vs sekelbos, side by side
| Kameeldoring | Sekelbos (sekeldoring) | |
|---|---|---|
| Heat | Very hot, steady | Very hot, fierce |
| Burn time | Long. Holds a coal bed through several rounds of meat | Shorter. Hot and quick to coals |
| Smoke | Little smoke once it’s burning. Dry Guaranteed | Little smoke once it’s burning. Dry Guaranteed |
| Lighting | Takes a little longer (dense, bigger pieces) | Catches quickly (smaller pieces) |
| Best use | Long braais, a crowd, potjiekos, an open fireplace on a cold night | A quick weeknight braai, fast coals, starting a kameeldoring fire |
| Price per bag | R120, ±18kg | R120, ±18kg |
When to buy kameeldoring
Kameeldoring (camel thorn, Vachellia erioloba) is the wood the rest of the braai is measured against. It is dense, so it takes a few minutes longer to get going, then it gives you a deep, even bed of coals that stays hot for the second and third round. Buy it when you are feeding a crowd, cooking a potjie or want the fire to last the evening.
Kameeldoring (Namibian Hardwood), ±18kg, R120 →
When to buy sekelbos
Sekelbos (sicklebush, Dichrostachys cinerea, also sold as sekeldoring) is kameeldoring’s quick-tempered sibling. The pieces are smaller, so it lights faster and burns fiercer, with a proper coal bed underneath. Buy it for a weeknight braai when you want coals in the time it takes to season the chops.
Sekeldoring (Namibian Hardwood), ±18kg, R120 →
Can I mix them?
Yes, and plenty of our customers do. Start the fire with sekelbos for fast heat, then add kameeldoring for coals that last.
What about the fireplace?
For an open fireplace, kameeldoring gives long, steady heat. Both woods are loved by closed-combustion owners because they are very dry and dense, but for a closed-combustion fireplace our recommendation is bloekom (blue gum) or blackwattle. Not sure how much you need? Try the firewood calculator.
Delivery in Cape Town
We deliver and stack across Cape Town, the Winelands and the West Coast for one flat fee per drop, from R200 in the Northern Suburbs and Parow. Your area’s fee and delivery days are on the delivery page. You can also collect from our factory shop at 35 Tredoux Street, Parow (Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30, Sat 08:00–12:45).
“What a wonderful experience. Personal service. Gave great advice on choices and I received the delivery the next day. We are new to Cape Town and this was my first experience with you guys!! What a pleasure!! Will definitely stick with you.”
Dyonne W., Google review ★★★★★
