This is a large evergreen tree that can reach a height of about 30 m, with a rounded crown of many branches. The stem is straight, up to about 1.5 m in diameter, without branches for up to 8 m and with greyish-brown, smooth bark, covered in small, woody, black dots, and peeling off in large scales when old. Freshly cut bark produces a sweet smell. The Ocotea kenyensis has broad, glossy, leathery leaves which are dark green above and slightly aromatic. The leaves are 50-220 x 35-100 mm, alternate, elliptic, apex and base tapering, the margin is entire, wavy, and hairless. The petiole is 18 mm long.

The flowers are small, white to cream, clustered near the ends of the branches in early to midsummer (Nov. - Jan.), in branched sprays, becoming brown as they age. Ocotea kenyensis fruits are globose berries, up to 27 x 14 mm, hard and fleshy with the fruit covered by a cup-shaped, flat cupule, giving them an appearance similar to an acorn, borne in late summer to autumn (Feb. - Apr.). The fruit is dark green, gradually darkening with maturity, the cupule at the base of the fruit can be more brightly coloured. The fruit has single seed covered in a hard coat.

There are 2 species of this genus in South Africa. The other one is Ocotea bullata, known as Stinkwood. The difference between them is on the leaves: Ocotea bullata has blisters or bubbles on the upper surface and in Ocotea kenyensis the upper surface is smooth. This plant can also be confused with the Avocado, Persea americana, when it is young, they are closely related and belong to same family.