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Kolmanskop in Namibia is a former diamond mining town near Lüderitz on the Namibian coast, which was abandoned at some point and therefore mutated into a ghost town. It’s an absolute highlight in Namibia and it’s such a photogenic place that I think it would be a shame if I didn’t share the pictures of Kolmanskop again.
Looking for a great itinerary for Namibia? Then check out my post on road tripping in Namibia.
The history of Kolmanskop
Lüderitz’s connection to the railway during the German-South African era meant that diamonds were discovered by chance near one of the railway stations in 1908. And where there are diamonds or gold, those who are looking for them are not far away and so a small town of up to 400 inhabitants in beautiful buildings of German architecture developed relatively quickly in a rather uncomfortable environment in the desert. The materials and everything needed for the houses came from Germany, the water from Cape Town, 1000 kilometres away. However, as the natural course of events would have it, the diamonds in the immediate vicinity were eventually mined out and the inhabitants of the town moved to the newly created mining areas such as Elisabeth Bay. As a result, the town gradually fell into decline and was reclaimed by the desert.
Travel tips for a trip to Kolmanskop
Kolmanskop is situated 13 kilometres from Lüderitz along the B4, which connects Lüderitz with the Namibian town of Aus. If you are travelling to Kolmanskop, turn off the B4 directly to the town and shortly afterwards you will reach the entrance gate, where you can buy a ticket. You can then move freely around the site, but you should bear in mind that many of the buildings are very unstable and could collapse at any time.
Important information: Due to the heat, Kolmanskop is only open until lunchtime, so be aware of this!
We highly recommend a guided tour in Kolmanskop in German or English, which is included with admission and does not need to be pre-booked. You simply turn up at the museum at the start of the tour (usually at 9.30 and 11 am). We learnt a lot about the former diamond mining town, the mining of the diamonds and the history of the mostly German inhabitants.
Photo tip: There are special permits for photographers, which you have to apply for in advance and with which you can visit Kolmanskop virtually at any time. However, as the light in the houses is not ideal early in the morning anyway, it is worth coming at opening time so that you usually have Kolmanskop to yourself for about an hour before the tours and buses arrive.
I would recommend sleeping in Lüderitz, I can definitely suggest Historial Guesthouse Apartment.
Image gallery Kolmanskop
