Kolmanskop

Kolmanskuppe

A German diamond-mining town swallowed by the desert, with sand-filled mansions and a theater; the “desert ghost town” that photographers flock to.

Kolmanskuppe lies 10 km east of Lüderitz, the port in southern Namibia. In 1908, a railway worker found a diamond here, and the town boomed quickly. At its peak it had a hospital, a dance hall, a theater, a bowling alley, a power station and Africa's first X-ray machine, and its German-style mansions looked remarkably opulent in the desert. After richer deposits were found farther south in 1928, residents gradually moved away, and by 1956 the town was completely abandoned. Since then, dunes have kept pouring into the houses, creating the surreal scene of rooms filled with sand.

The site is managed by the diamond company. A standard ticket costs about N$120 and includes English-language guided tours at 9:30 and 11:00, which cover mining history and take you through the museum, the preserved shop and the ice factory. A photography ticket costs about N$300 and allows entry before sunrise and exit after sunset. It is the key to capturing sand-filled rooms in side light. A visit takes about 2–3 hours. Afterward, you can head to Lüderitz to see its German architecture, and to Diaz Point to watch penguins and seals. The drive from Windhoek takes about 8 hours (B1, then B4). Most people approach via Fish River Canyon or Aus, and there are wild horses near Aus.

Note: indoor sand is loose, and parts of the second-floor floor are rotten, so walk carefully. The site lies on the edge of a diamond restricted area, so do not leave the designated routes. Protect your camera in strong winds.

Kolmanskop

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