Mopane
Colophospermum mopane — Zimbabwe & Botswana
Burns (approx./Drop)
~4–6 hours
Moisture
10–15%
From
R139/Drop
Why choose Mopane Firewood?
Africa's ironwood. The densest wood we stock — burns long and hot with intense radiant heat, built for overnight fires, big pizza nights and serious braais.
About Mopane
Mopane is one of the densest hardwoods in southern Africa. Sustainably harvested from the woodlands of Zimbabwe and Botswana, it produces sustained, even heat that outlasts any other species in our catalogue — burns steadily for 4–6 hours.
This is the wood for long braai sessions: a full afternoon of cooking where you need consistent heat across a large grill. The coal bed it produces holds heat exceptionally well, and the wood itself burns almost odourlessly.
Africa's ironwood — built for overnight fires, big pizza nights and serious braais.
Sourced fromZimbabwe
Harvested from the Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) woodland belt across Zimbabwe and Botswana — one of the densest hardwood belts in southern Africa.
⚠️ Limited supply — order while stock lastsBest for
- Long braai sessions
- Large grill cooking
- All-night fires
- Fire pits
- Pizza nights
When not to choose Mopane
- Closed-combustion stoves (burns very hot — use Blue Gum for closed units)
WoodDrop tip
Mopane is a patient fire — let the coal bed build fully before you start cooking. The heat it produces once going is worth every minute.
How much Mopane do I need?
Mopane is WoodDrop's densest and most expensive wood at R139/Drop (≈ 18 kg). One Drop fuels approximately seven to ten braai sessions for a standard grill, or lasts five to seven evening fires in an open fireplace. The 4–6 hour burn time means Mopane goes significantly further per Drop than any other wood in the catalogue — fewer Drops needed per season.
How long does Mopane burn?
Mopane burns for four to six hours per Drop — the longest of any wood WoodDrop stocks. The density of 1 150 kg/m³ is the highest in the catalogue: each piece weighs 1.2–1.8 kg. A properly loaded Mopane fire produces an exceptionally dense coal bed — this is why it is favoured for serious braais.
Mopane vs Kameeldoring
Mopane at R139 and Kameeldoring at R110 are the two premium hardwoods in the catalogue. Mopane at 1 150 kg/m³ burns for 4–6 hours; Kameeldoring at 1 100 kg/m³ burns for 4–5 hours. Mopane is marginally denser and longer-burning, but Kameeldoring is more widely available and produces better braai coals by most accounts. Both burn almost odourlessly. Choose Mopane for the longest possible burn time; choose Kameeldoring for braai coal quality.
How to light Mopane
Mopane is the densest wood in the catalogue and requires the most patience to light. Use a firelighter cube with kindling and allow the fire to build before adding large Mopane pieces. Once the fire is established, Mopane holds heat at a remarkably consistent level.
Storing Mopane in Cape Town
Mopane is a limited-supply wood. Store it carefully — the limited availability makes running out mid-season inconvenient. At 10–15% moisture and 1 150 kg/m³, Mopane is the slowest of all the catalogue woods to re-absorb moisture if wet and re-dries quickly. Standard covered-rack storage in a ventilated area keeps Mopane in prime condition for multiple seasons.
Common questions about Mopane
Why is Mopane so expensive?
Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) costs R139/Drop because it is sourced from the remote Mopane woodland belt in Zimbabwe and Botswana, hand-harvested, and transported overland to Cape Town — a longer supply chain than Western Cape woods. The density and burn time partially offset the cost: at 4–6 hours per Drop versus 2–3 hours for Blue Gum, the cost per hour of heat is competitive.
Is Mopane wood available year-round?
Mopane is a limited-supply product. Availability depends on the harvesting cycle and transport logistics from Zimbabwe and Botswana. WoodDrop lists Mopane when stock is available and removes it when the season's supply runs out. Because it runs out periodically, ordering in advance is advisable.
Can Mopane be used in a closed combustion stove?
Mopane can be used in closed combustion stoves but with caution, as it burns very hot. Check your stove's maximum operating temperature before loading Mopane. For most domestic slow-combustion units, Blue Gum is the recommended fuel. Mopane's sustained heat is better suited to large open fireplaces or commercial-grade stoves.
What is Mopane wood used for other than firewood?
Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) is one of southern Africa's most useful hardwoods. Its extreme density makes it valuable for furniture, flooring, turnery, and heavy construction in Zimbabwe and Botswana. As firewood, it has been used for centuries in southern African homesteads. The Mopane caterpillar found on its leaves is also a traditional food source in the region.
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Mopane
Colophospermum mopane — Zimbabwe & Botswana
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