Kolmanskop
Namibia · ǁKaras · 300 m
Description
Kolmanskop is an abandoned diamond-mining town on the edge of the Namib Desert near Lüderitz in southern Namibia and one of the country’s most fascinating ghost towns. The once-prosperous settlement emerged during the diamond rush that began in 1908 and was known for its elegant German colonial-style houses, a ballroom, a hospital, a school, and even a bowling alley. After diamond mining declined, Kolmanskop was abandoned in the mid-1950s and has gradually been reclaimed by the desert ever since. Its partially buried buildings and sand-filled rooms create a surreal landscape, making Kolmanskop a striking symbol of transience and the relentless power of the Namib Desert.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 2 days (optimal 1 day)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – October
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Kolmanskop Ghost Town
- Sand-Filled Houses & Rooms
- Kolmanskop Guided Tour
- Lüderitz Historic Town Centre(Day trip)
- Felsenkirche(Day trip)
- Entertainment Hall, Ballroom & Theatre
- Halifax Island African Penguin Colony(Day trip)
- Bowling Alley
- Old Hospital
- Diaz Point(Day trip)
- Ice Factory
- School Building
- Lüderitz Peninsula(Day trip)
- Former Residents' Houses & Villas
- Mine Manager's House
- Goerke Haus(Day trip)
- Architect's House
- Bookkeeper's House
- Diamond Mining Exhibition
- Agate Beach(Day trip)
- Kolmanskop Railway Remains
- Namib Desert Around Kolmanskop
- Shark Island(Day trip)
Getting there
- Airports:
- LUD
- Train stations:
- Kolmannskuppe, Burenkamp, Lüderitz