Overview
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The Story behind Kolmanskop
In 1908, a railway worker named Zachariahs Lewala was working his shift when, while shoveling, he suddenly found what looked like a diamond. He took it to its German supervisor August Stauch, who had a mining engineer friend confirming that it was a real diamond. Not much later, news about the diamonds spread and hordes of German miners moved to the area.
And so the town of Kolmanskop was founded and quickly evolved into a prosperous and luxurious village in the middle of the desert. Because of this wealth, the infrastructure in this town was unusually extensive for that time. As of 1911, the town had electric power, a school, a hospital, a butcher and ice factory, a sports hall and so much more. It even had the first X-ray machine in southern Africa.
You could almost literally pick up the diamonds in Kolmanskop off the floor, making the diamond miners in Kolmanskop richer every night. This was beyond the German authorities, who wanted greater control over this growing wealth. They took strict action, marking a large part of the southern coastal strip as a restricted area known as a “Sperrgebiet”, or ‘restricted area’, where ordinary people were not allowed to go. Instead, only one company from Berlin was given permission to mine for diamonds there.
The diamond mining was industrialized which caused the number of minerals to diminish drastically. By 1930, the area was depleted. In addition, in 1928, bigger diamonds were found on the beach terraces further down the coast, south of Lüderitz. All machinery was taken there and all inhabitants of Kolmanskop started to move too.
By 1956, the town was completely abandoned and left to the forces of nature. In 2002, a tour company was given permission to manage and operate Kolmanskop as a tourist attraction. As a result, people can now enter the ‘restricted area’ and discover this unique place.
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Opening Hours, Permits, Prices and Tours
Opening Hours
Kolmanskop is open daily from 08:00 am to 01.00 pm.
Prices and Permits
- General visitors permit
– Adults: 130 NAD pp
– Children (6-14): 50 NAD pp - Group Tours (6 to 29 persons): 170 NAD pp
- Amateur Photographer Permit: 330 NAD pp
This permit allows you to be in the area between 6:00 and 19:00 and is ideal if you want to take pictures at sunrise and sunset. When you get this permit, you will be provided with the gate access code.
General and group permits can be obtained either online, directly at the Kolmanskop entrance gate, or at Desert Deli in Lüderitz. Photo permits are available at the gate and should be purchased at least one day in advance.
Guided Tours and Audio Tour
- Every day (except on Christmas and New Year’s Day), you can join guided tours in English, and German, departing from the Main Building, where the Coffee Shops is located. A guided tour takes around 45-60 minutes and is included in the permit
– Monday to Saturday: 09.30 am and 11.00 am
– Sunday and Public Holidays: 10.00 am - Groups of 6 people or more can join the normal guided tour, or book a private tour which can be arranged for a different time.
- Alternatively, you can get a free VoiceMap voucher and download the VOICEMAP APP via the link on the website of Kolmanskop. This way, you can listen to the voice recording tour on your phone and go at your own pace.
What to Expect
There are a lot of buildings to explore in Kolmanskop and they are sometimes quite a distance apart. Therefore, allow at least an hour or 2 to explore everything properly.
Considering its history, you will find many different types of buildings in Kolmanskop. There are several regular worker houses, but you can also explore an ice cream factory, a doctor’s practice and the sports hall. Some buildings that we found worthwhile for their own characteristics are the Butcher’s shop, the hospital, the school and the house of the architect and engineer. However, all buildings in Kolmanskop have their own mysterious energy and are in such varying states of disrepair that it is difficult to say which are the best.
On the northern side of the town, you find the bigger buildings, which are often in slightly better condition than the smaller houses in the southern part. They are usually also more accessible compared to the sand-filled houses on the other side of the village, where you might have to crawl through the doors over the towering piles of sand. Sometimes, you can even only enter a building through a window, because it already looks more like a door when the sand has reached the same level.
Be careful, because quite a few windows are broken and you will therefore encounter some glass. Due to the condition of some buildings, not all roofs are in top condition anymore. There is therefore sometimes a risk of collapse and entering the buildings is always at your own risk.
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Best Time to Visit
You can visit Kolmanskop all year round. During the winter months from May to October, temperatures will be more pleasant than during the warm summer months. However, you can always find some shelter in the houses and you can beat the heat by going in the morning.
For the most beautiful photos, the light during sunrise and sunset is the most beautiful and magical, but then you must purchase the photo permit. If you prefer not to do this, we are sure you can also take beautiful photos during the day, especially in the bigger buildings.
The best time to avoid the crowds is from 8 am to 9 am. Most visitors only start arriving from 9 am for the 9.30 am tour. The people often stay until 1 pm, but tend to stay in the buildings around the museum and the parking lot.
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Where to stay
There are no accommodations in Kolmanskop itself. The nearest village of Lüderitz, where you will find a few b&bs and hotels. With a tent or roof tent, you can stay at the Shark Island campsite (300 NAD pp/night).
Tips for visiting Kolmanskop
Bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses
The different buildings are sometimes some distance apart. Therefore, bring sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses for the parts you have to walk in the sun.
Start Early
When you start your day early, the temperatures are still more pleasant to explore and there are fewer people.
Bring Water and Snacks
Kolmanskop is bigger than you think and you can spend quite some time there. bring plenty of water and snacks. There is also a restaurant where you can have a drink and a snack.
Safety
The buildings of Kolmanskop are in various stages of disrepair. Not only ceilings, but also floors, stairs, and walls can collapse at any time. You enter the buildings at your own risk. Be careful for glass in broken windows, and watch where you go as there are also rusted nails, other metal and glass on the ground. That is why we recommend that you wear closed shoes.
No Night Photography
Kolmanskop is situated in the protected diamond area (Sperrgebiet/Restricted area). Therefore, night photography is not allowed.
Bring a Scarf and protect your camera gear
It won't surprise you that there is a lot of sand in Kolmanskop. On windy days, this can get blown around. Therefore, take a scarf with you to protect your face, but also to protect and wipe the sand off your camera equipment.
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Win-Win for everyone
Did you know that, if you buy or book something through our links, we receive a small commission?
However, you still pay the same and therefore have no extra costs! So a win-win for everyone. This way, we can continue to add even more travel inspiration and tips to this blog for your next adventure. Thanks a lot!
