The African Touch have been handcrafting unique, artistically designed African safari furniture in Victoria Falls since 1992. Their master-craftsmen design, hand build and finish these creations from the finest African hardwoods, natural leather and solid brass into beautiful pieces that will uplift your space and last for generations. Designed to be knock-down and securely crated for shipping world-wide with fast and friendly customer service.
Richard Lowe and his team at The African Touch have been handcrafting furniture in their workshop in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe since 1992 – celebrating 30 years in 2022.
Richard was inspired by the great hardwood forests that grow on the Kalahari sands of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe. The principal species being Zambezi Teak. This magnificent timber was used in the 1890’s as railway sleepers to build the railway system of Zimbabwe and Zambia. It is a uniquely beautiful timber with wonderful color and grain, and it seemed such a waste that something so inherently valuable was relegated to be used on a railway line! And so began his idea to build beautifully designed and crafted pieces that do justice to this wonderful natural resource of Zimbabwe. Rich designs all the products we make and has a passion for the Army campaign furniture of the 18th and 19th centuries, which were adapted for use on the early African Safaris. Most of our designs reflect the practical knock-down design and beautiful craftsmanship of these old campaign pieces. However, for designs such as The Bridge Table and Bridge Server (as featured in the image above at Mana River Camp), his inspiration was drawn from the wonderful old Victoria Falls Bridge with its fascinating history. African Touch products are made with solid hardwood throughout. Other cabinet & furniture makers use plywood and other man-made boards for hidden components such as drawer bases or backs of cabinets, which The African Touch will never do. Where they use fittings, such as hinges or drawer slides, only the best quality solid brass or stainless steel imported components will find their way into an African Touch product!
Their most popular products include our field bars, canvas trunks, splendid tables, campaign desks and wide range of unusual chairs. The African Touch have recently launched a Safari Leather Collection which include beautifully handcrafted leather field bars.
The African Touch work closely with interior designers and decorators from around the world, to work on custom designs for clients that are looking for something unique but still fits in with the safari or campaign furniture brand theme.
We hope you enjoy looking through their products. It has taken over 30 years of trial and errors to where where they are today.
