- Location: Namib Desert, Karas region, Namibia (10 km from Luderitz)
- Center height: 1650 m
- Date of foundation: 1908
- Time of excursions: daily at 9:30 and 11:00
Being one of the least populated states in the world, arid Namibia is a whole world of bright contrasts full of discoveries and adventures. Unlike most advertised tourist resorts , there are practically no noisy discos, theaters and ancient monuments of architecture, but it is precisely its pristine and natural nature that this country is famous for. Its main attractions are grandiose landscapes, breathtaking sand dunes and wild, unbridled nature. And now we will go on an amazing journey through one of the most unusual places on the planet - the ghost town of Kolmanskop in Namibia.
What is interesting about this city?
The city of Kolmanskop is located in the Namib Desert , about 10 km from one of the resorts of Namibia - Luderitz . It was founded in 1908, when among the mountains of sand the worker of the railway Zaharias Lewala discovered a small diamond. Realizing that the area is rich in precious stones, soon the German miners broke a small settlement here, and a couple of years later a whole village was founded on the site of the once deserted land. The name was given to him in honor of the train driver Johnny Coleman, who, during a sandstorm, left his car on a small slope, from where the whole town was visible.
Kolmanskop developed rapidly, and by the 1920s, more than 1,200 people lived on its territory. Many state and entertainment establishments, necessary for a normal existence, were opened here: power station, hospital, school, sports hall, theater, bowling, casino and many others. etc. Here also appeared the first in the southern hemisphere X-ray station and the first in Africa tram.
By the middle of XX century. The mining of diamonds in this region has significantly decreased, and living conditions have become even more severe: the scorching sun of the desert, frequent sandstorms and the complete absence of water led to the fact that by 1954 life in Kolmanskop stopped. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Namibia seemed frozen in time, and from under the piles of sand are seen only the deserted houses of German miners and the remains of ruined furniture.
Useful information for tourists
Photo of the Colmanskop flew quickly around the world, and today it is almost the most recognizable landmark of Namibia. However, getting here is not so easy. In general, travelers have only 2 ways:
- With excursion. The easiest and most convenient option for foreign tourists is to book a special tour (in English or German) through the Namib Desert, which also includes a visit to the ghost town. The price of such pleasure is only 5 cu. per person.
- Independently. Kolmanskop is about 15 minutes. drive from Luderitz, not far from the main motorway B4. Although the entrance to the site of interest and free, remember that even before the trip you need to purchase a permit in the office of NWR (Namibia Wildlife Resorts - Bureau of Wildlife Management) or any tour operator.
It should be noted that the ghost town of Kolmanskop in Namibia is gradually turning into a popular tourist resort, with a large number of souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants where everyone can try national dishes of local cuisine and buy all kinds of gizmos and cards to commemorate the trip. Those who want to abstract from reality and feel the atmosphere of the early 1900s, when the settlement was just emerging, can go to the local museum, which features old exhibits telling about the history of diamond mining in Namibia.