A diamond rush town near Lüderitz, slowly being reclaimed by the desert.
Kolmanskop was built after diamonds were found here in 1908, and for a few decades it was a wealthy little town with a hospital, a ballroom, a skittle alley and the first X-ray machine in southern Africa. When richer deposits were found further south the people moved away, and by the 1950s the town was abandoned.
Today the desert is moving back in, and sand fills the rooms of the old houses up to the windows. Guided tours run from Lüderitz, about 10 kilometres away, and photographers can arrange permits to stay on for the best light.
Sample itineraries with Kolmanskop Ghost Town. Each one is a starting point that we reshape around your dates and pace.
Camps and lodges we use in Luderitz. We will suggest the right one for your route and style.
A small harbour town with German colonial buildings on Namibia's wild south coast.
Towering red dunes around a white clay pan deep in the Namib Desert.
A white clay pan of dead camel thorn trees ringed by giant red dunes.
The most photographed dune in the Namib, and a classic sunrise climb.
One of the tallest dunes in the Sossusvlei area, with Deadvlei at its foot.
A narrow gorge carved by the Tsauchab River, at the gateway to Sossusvlei.
Tell us your dates, who is coming and what you would like to see. A safari specialist in Namibia replies personally with a route to react to.
Every Secret Namibia safari begins with a private Safari Concierge consultation. We set aside 30 minutes; most travellers have everything they need in 5 to 10.
