If you’re fascinated by woodworking or just curious about the rich variety of materials Africa has to offer, you’ll want to explore the diverse types of African wood.
These woods are not only known for their unique colors and patterns but also for their durability and strength.
You’ll discover how these different species are used in furniture, flooring, and even musical instruments, highlighting their versatility.
1. African Blackwood
African Blackwood, also known as mpingo, is a unique and valuable hardwood. You can find it in central and southern Africa, where it thrives in dry savanna regions. The trees usually grow between 20-30 feet tall with trunk diameters of 2-3 feet.
The heartwood of African Blackwood is almost completely black, sometimes appearing dark brown or purple. Its sapwood, in contrast, is pale yellow and thin. This wood’s high density makes it sink in water, which may surprise you.
African Blackwood is prized for its fine texture and rich color. It’s highly sought after for intricate carvings and musical instruments like clarinets and oboes. The dense grain allows for precise detailing, making it a favorite among artisans and woodworkers.
Its durability is remarkable. African Blackwood stands strong against movement and warping, even outperforming other types of ebony. This makes it excellent for high-quality furniture and decorative items.
2. African Mahogany
African Mahogany is one of the most beloved hardwoods. Its scientific name is Khaya, and it grows mainly in West and Central Africa.
The color ranges from a pale pink to a deeper reddish-brown. The wood darkens beautifully over time.
You will find African Mahogany used for furniture, flooring, and even musical instruments. It has a straight grain and is quite durable.
This wood is a joy to work with. It carves well and leaves a smooth finish that’s admired by craftsmen.
One thing to keep in mind is sustainability. African Mahogany is listed in CITES Appendix II and on the IUCN Red List as vulnerable due to population reductions.
If you’re looking for a reliable and attractive hardwood for your projects, African Mahogany is a great choice. It will add both elegance and strength to any piece.
3. Wenge
Wenge is a dark, rich wood from the African continent. It’s well-known for its deep brown color and unique grain pattern. When you look closely, you can see small black streaks that make it stand out.
This hardwood is very dense and heavy, making it a great choice for furniture and flooring. You might find wenge used in high-end furniture pieces or even musical instruments.
One interesting fact about wenge is that it’s often compared to a similar wood called panga panga. Both have similar looks and properties, but wenge is slightly heavier. The wood is durable, resistant to wear, and has a natural luster that can be enhanced with polishing.
4. Makore
Makore, also known as African Cherry, is a beautiful hardwood from West and Central Africa. You might find its heartwood in shades from pink to medium reddish-brown. The sapwood, when present, is usually yellow and easy to spot.
It’s a durable choice, making it great for both indoor and outdoor projects. Its natural durability helps it resist fungi and dry wood borers.
You’ll find this wood easy to work with, whether you use hand tools or machines. It bends well and is simple to glue. This makes Makore popular in carpentry and woodworking for items like furniture and cabinetry.
Its attractive appearance also means it’s often used for decorative purposes. The wood’s natural resistance to moisture means it needs less maintenance compared to other woods, which is always a plus.
5. Sapele
Sapele is a hardwood from West Africa. You can find it in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania. These trees can grow up to 150 feet tall and have trunks up to 6 feet wide.
This wood looks a lot like mahogany because it comes from the same family. Sapele wood is known for its beautiful, golden to dark reddish-brown color. It also has a shiny, iridescent quality.
Sapele is very durable. It resists decay well, making it great for outdoor uses. You can see it in furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and boatbuilding.
If you enjoy music, you’ll appreciate Sapele’s resonant properties. It’s a favorite for making guitars, violins, and other musical instruments. The wood’s grain patterns help produce rich, warm tones.
Working with Sapele is quite enjoyable. It machines well and finishes nicely. You can glue and sand it without much trouble. This makes it a versatile choice for many woodworking projects.
6. Zebrano
Zebrano, also known as Zebrawood, is a distinctive African hardwood. Its name comes from the unique striped pattern on the wood, resembling a zebra’s coat. The striking appearance makes it a favorite for decorative uses.
You’ll find Zebrano mostly in West Africa. It’s known for its durability and strength, making it a great choice for furniture and veneers. The wood can handle wear and tear pretty well.
The wood color can range from light brown or cream to tan or pale yellow. The dark brown to black streaks set off the lighter background, giving it that iconic zebra look. The pattern can be wavy or straight, depending on how it’s cut.
Working with Zebrano can be a bit tricky. It has an interlocking grain that might tear out during cutting. But with sharp tools, you can get a smooth finish. It glues and polishes nicely, revealing its bold patterns.
Zebrano’s exotic look makes it perfect for specialty items like musical instruments, knife handles, and even luxury car interiors. If you want a wood with a bold and unforgettable appearance, Zebrano is a great pick.
7. Ebony
Ebony is famous for its deep, rich black color. It is smooth and dense, making it perfect for high-quality furniture and musical instruments.
There are different types of ebony wood, each with slightly different traits. Gaboon Ebony, or West African Ebony, is well-known for being jet black and very smooth. It is one of the most popular types of ebony.
Ebony trees are usually tall and can have wide trunks, up to three feet across. The wood from these trees is incredibly durable and resistant to damage, which is why it’s valued in woodworking.
When you use ebony, you get a material that’s both beautiful and strong. This combination makes it ideal for various detailed projects, such as sculptures and decorative inlays.
Working with ebony does take some effort due to its hardness, but the result is usually worth it. The deep color and smooth texture add a touch of elegance to any piece.
If you’re looking for a wood that stands out and brings a touch of luxury, ebony is an excellent choice. Its unique look and feel make it a favorite among craftsmen and artists.
8. Bubinga
Bubinga is a remarkable hardwood from Africa, known for its strength and beauty. This wood is often chosen for high-quality furniture and musical instruments because of its durability.
You immediately notice its lovely pinkish-red color. The color deepens over time, adding even more character to Bubinga pieces. When polished, it has a smooth, lustrous finish that enhances any project.
Bubinga trees can grow very large. This allows for the harvest of sizable slabs perfect for tabletops and other large projects. Because of this, furniture makers love working with Bubinga. The wood’s hardness and stability make it ideal for working on lasting pieces.
Due to its pleasing appearance and workability, Bubinga is also used in decorative items and small woodcrafts. You’ll find it in knife handles, jewelry boxes, and custom pens. Projects made from Bubinga often become real head-turners.
Some people might recognize Bubinga by another name, kevazingo. It belongs to the Guibourtia genus, with various species found across equatorial Africa. Because of this, colors and grain patterns can vary, making each piece unique.
Choose Bubinga for your next woodworking project if you want something that combines beauty, strength, and durability.
9. Iroko
Iroko, often called African teak, is a popular hardwood from West Africa. It grows in tropical regions and is known for its durability.
You’ll find that Iroko is very resistant to insects and fungi. This makes it a top choice for outdoor furniture and decking.
The wood has a golden yellow to brown color, which darkens with age. Its beautiful hues and grain patterns are quite attractive.
Iroko is not just about good looks; it’s also very strong. With a hardness rating of 1,260 lbf, it can stand up to a lot of wear and tear.
Milicia excelsa and Milicia regia are the two types of Iroko. Both are sold commercially, but M. excelsa is more common.
If you’re looking for a hardwood that combines beauty and toughness, Iroko is a great option. Its versatility makes it useful for various woodworking projects.
10. Padauk
Padauk is a type of hardwood that stands out because of its stunning color. When freshly cut, it appears reddish-brown or even a deep reddish-purple. Over time, exposure to sunlight will make the wood’s color deeper and richer.
Native to Central and tropical West Africa, Padauk trees grow to about 100-130 feet tall. Their trunks can be 2-4 feet in diameter. This makes them quite impressive in size.
One of the main reasons you might love Padauk is its strength and durability. It’s resistant to decay and insect damage. This makes it an excellent choice for high-quality wooden projects.
When you work with Padauk, you’ll notice it’s stable and easy to handle. Its bright and robust coloration adds a special touch to any project, whether it’s furniture, flooring, or decorative items.
Padauk’s unique beauty and durability make it a favorite among woodworkers and hobbyists. If you’re looking for something that combines visual impact with lasting quality, Padauk is definitely a wood to consider.
11. Doussie
Doussie, also known as Afzelia, is a popular African hardwood. You can find it in various parts of West and Central Africa. This wood is known for its durability and strength.
Doussie has a density of about 805 kg/m³. This makes it similar in weight to oak. Its strength and toughness make it resistant to dents and scratches.
You will notice that Doussie wood comes in a reddish-brown color. With time, the color can deepen, giving it a richer appearance. It also has a smooth texture and a natural luster.
If you plan to use Doussie, it’s important to know that it can be tricky to stain. The wood has water-soluble yellow deposits in its pores. Because of this, water-based finishes may not work well. It’s better to use UV finishes or aluminum oxide for a great look.
Doussie is often used for heavy-duty flooring, joinery, and furniture. Its durability makes it a great choice for places with heavy foot traffic. You can also use it for door and window frames due to its resistance to termites.
12. Okoume
Okoume, also known as Aucoumea klaineana, is a versatile African hardwood. It’s native to central Africa, mostly found in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, and Congo. The trees grow tall, reaching heights of 100-130 feet.
The wood has a light brown color with a straight grain. Sometimes, it even looks similar to mahogany. You’re likely to appreciate its smooth texture and workability.
Okoume is commonly used in plywood production. Its light weight makes it perfect for boat building and other lightweight structures. You might find that it handles well with both hand and machine tools.
One notable feature of Okoume is its rapid regeneration. This makes it a sustainable choice for wood projects. Despite its exotic origin, it remains readily available, which is great for ongoing use.
If you’re in woodworking or design, Okoume is a handy option. Its unique properties and ease of use contribute to its popularity. Plus, its affordability and sustainability make it an attractive choice for various applications.
13. Mvule
Mvule, also known as Iroko, is a popular African hardwood. It’s found mainly in West and East Africa.
The wood has a warm, golden-brown color. Over time, it gets darker, giving it a rich, deep look.
Mvule is very durable and resistant to insects and decay. This makes it great for outdoor furniture and construction.
In addition, Mvule is strong and heavy. It’s perfect for making high-quality furniture and flooring.
You can also find Mvule used in boat-building because of its toughness.
When working with Mvule, you’ll notice it has a coarse texture. It needs proper finishing to feel smooth.
You’re likely to see Mvule in many traditional and modern African designs. It’s a favorite among woodworkers.
14. Mansonia
Mansonia is a prized tropical hardwood from West Africa. It stands out for its durability, resisting both decay and termites. This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor projects.
You’ll find Mansonia easy to work with using hand or machine tools. Just be cautious of its sawdust, which can be harmful to your health. Wearing a mask is a good idea.
The wood is known for its unique grain patterns, giving it a distinct look. This makes it popular for furniture and decorative items. Its color ranges from light to dark brown, often with a mix of cream and darker streaks.
Whether you’re looking to build durable outdoor furniture or create stunning indoor pieces, Mansonia offers both strength and beauty. Its versatility and aesthetic appeal are hard to match.
15. Ovangkol
Ovangkol is a unique type of wood that comes from tropical West Africa. You might find it in countries like Cameroon, Ghana, and Nigeria. This wood is known for its beautiful appearance and versatility.
One interesting fact about Ovangkol is that it has several names. You might hear it called amazique, amazoué, hyedua, mozambique, or shedua. These different names all refer to the same type of wood.
When used for crafting, Ovangkol is pretty heavy and dense. This makes it a strong choice for various projects. It’s commonly found in musical instruments like guitars, where it can add a rich, warm sound.
Something to keep in mind is that Ovangkol can have a strong odor when it’s wet. Once it’s dry, the smell goes away. This is important if you’re working with the wood for the first time.
It’s also moderately durable, meaning it can withstand a fair amount of wear and tear. The drying and seasoning process can vary based on several factors, like how fast it’s processed after being cut and the method of drying used.
If you’re sensitive to wood dust, remember that Ovangkol doesn’t pose any more health risks than other woods. Just use standard safety measures when working with wood dust.
16. Kosso
Kosso is a unique type of African wood known for its beautiful appearance. It has striking colors and grain patterns that grab your attention. These features make it highly sought after, especially for making high-quality furniture.
Kosso is often compared to Muninga because it looks quite similar to it. Both belong to the Pterocarpus genus and share some visual traits.
You might also hear people call Kosso “Hongmu,” a name used for a group of hardwoods prized in Chinese furniture.
This wood has been added to CITES appendix II since January 2, 2017. This means there are restrictions on trading Kosso, whether it’s raw wood or finished products. These rules aim to protect the species from over-exploitation.
Kosso is not just about looks. Its durability makes it suitable for heavy-duty purposes like flooring and structural work. If you value both form and function in your woodworking projects, Kosso might be the perfect choice.
17. Nyatoh
Nyatoh is a hardwood that comes mainly from Southeast Asia, including countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and India. Though not primarily African, its properties and uses make it worth mentioning.
Nyatoh is known for its density and stiffness. It is a bit denser than Mahogany and stiffer than Hard Maple. This makes it a great option for creating strong and durable furniture pieces.
You’ll often find Nyatoh used in cabinetmaking, parquet and strip flooring, and even boatbuilding. Its versatility makes it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor furniture.
The wood has a uniform texture and can be polished to a smooth finish. It is also cost-effective, making it a budget-friendly option for many projects. You will often see it in decorative surfaces and woodwork used in construction.
18. Sipo
Sipo, also known as Utile, is an African hardwood that looks a lot like Genuine Mahogany. Its interlocked grains give it a unique texture. You might notice purplish reflections in its red-brown wood, which adds to its beauty.
This hardwood is quite heavy, with a density between 620-880 kg/m³. It’s even denser than oak and regular mahogany.
Sipo is durable and resistant to decay. It stands up well against dry wood borers thanks to its distinct sapwood. You can use it for both indoor and outdoor projects.
Sipo is great for making furniture, veneers, and specialty items. Its versatility means you can find it in everything from joinery to plywood. This makes it a useful and attractive option.
When working with Sipo, you can be sure you are choosing a reliable wood type. Its mix of beauty and durability makes it stand out.
19. Afzelia
Afzelia is a type of African hardwood known for its striking appearance and durability. The heartwood is a deep reddish-brown, which contrasts beautifully with the pale yellowish-white sapwood.
You will notice that Afzelia wood tends to darken as it ages. This wood has a unique grain texture that is typically interlocked and has a medium to coarse feel.
This hardwood is mainly used for high-end furniture, flooring, and joinery. Due to its resistance to decay and insect attacks, it’s an excellent choice for both indoor and outdoor projects.
When you work with Afzelia, you’ll find that it machines well. This makes it a favorite among woodworkers who require a wood that is not only durable but also easy to shape and finish.
Afzelia wood from Africa usually comes in an unfigured form, while its Asian counterparts might have more decorative patterns like pommele or blister figures. The strength and beauty of this wood make it quite popular in various crafts and heavy-duty applications.
20. Khaya
Khaya is a well-known African hardwood. Often called African mahogany, Khaya is appreciated for its beauty and versatility. This wood comes from several species of trees in the Khaya genus, providing a range of options for woodworkers.
You will find Khaya trees mostly in the tropical parts of Africa. They grow tall, often reaching heights of 150 feet. The trunk can be quite large, making it suitable for a variety of uses.
The wood has a rich, reddish-brown color. As it ages, this color often deepens, giving your projects a more luxurious look. The grain is usually straight, but you might find it interlocked or wavy, adding to Khaya’s visual appeal.
Khaya is relatively easy to work with. It sands, glues, and finishes well. This makes it a great choice for furniture, veneers, and boat building. You can even find it being used for musical instruments.
Another thing to consider is sustainability. Many Khaya species are listed as vulnerable due to logging and habitat loss. Be sure to source your Khaya responsibly, ensuring it comes from well-managed forests.
If you are searching for a reliable, attractive hardwood, Khaya could be a wonderful option. Its combination of beauty, workability, and versatility makes it a favorite among wood enthusiasts.
