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Lüderitz & Kolmanskop: which one is the ghost town?

Last updated on February 18, 2016 by Claire / this article contains affiliate links (Info)

At the South West End of Namibia is the town of Lüderitz and its famous neighbour ghostown of Kolmanskop which has been taken over by the sand.

Kolmanskop Luderitz ghost town Namibia

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INFO & PLANNING TIPS - Lüderitz & Kolmanskop

Lüderitz, established in 1883, is a harbour full of colonial colorful houses.

Kolmanskop used to be a rich diamond mining village. It was very prosperous and even had a hospital. However it started declining after World War I and was abandonned in 1954. The sand has since then taken over many of the houses creating a touristic attraction.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL PLANNING ADDICTS 

Getting to Lüderitz & Kolmanskop

  • Luderitz is at the South West end of Namibia
  • Lüderitz is 9h30 (700km) away from Windhoek
  • Kolmanskop is 15min East of Lüderitz along the main road

Visiting Kolmanskop

  • Entrance price should be up-+to-date on the town's website
  • Tours are available from Lüderitz

Driving to Lüderitz

Lüderitz and Kolmanskop are located in a very inhospitable area of Namibia. It was crazy. all we could see for kilometers was sand and grey rocks. At one point I wondered if we were on the moon.

Driving to Luderitz, Namibia

Lüderitz

After walking on a Sunday afternoon in the streets of Lüderitz, I am really wondering if this was not the ghost town… nobody on the streets… nobody at the pier where I could only hear the swings squeaking… very strange feeling.

The city was quite colorful in this moon-like landscape so it was not as creepy as it could have been.

Colorful streets of Luderitz, Namibia
Namibia Map in Luderitz, Namibia

With another person from my tour we walked up to the church to get a view of the town and of the bay as there is not much else to see.

View of Luderitz near the church

Kolmanskop

The next morning, after an excellent breakfast at a café in town (as the kitchen of our hotel had burnt down the week before our arrival), we went to Kolmanskop which is the known as the ghost town.

Here we had a tour explaining us about diamond mining and how life was in this harsh environment: the management of the ice factory, the fact that water as expansive as beer, the X ray system to check that nobody was stealing diamonds…

Kolmanskop Ghost Town, Namibia 1

I must admit this was my least favorite place of the whole 2 weeks in Namibia… but I am not at all a history buff. I prefer scenery but here all was grey: the sand the building… This was a lot of driving for something I did not appreciate but I can understand it is on the itinerary because some people are interested in those things. Compromise.

I have seen impressive pictures of that place, but I was just not inspired. So I do not have a good shot of sand taking over a house…​ I am sorry

Kolmanskop Ghost Town, Namibia 2
Kolmanskop Ghost Town, Namibia 3

Want to see MORE of NAMIBIA?

Discover more things to do with photos and planning information in my online Namibia Travel Guide.

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I am the Travel Planning Geek behind the ZigZag Travel Guides. My goal is to provide you with clear and practical information to help you plan unforgettable trips! Read more

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