Kolmanskop tours & holiday packages
A ghost town situated in the Namib Desert
Once a diamond mining town to those seeking their fortune, Kolmanskop is now an eerie ghost town abandoned to the sands of the Namib Desert.
A railway worker named Zacharias Lewala found a sparkling stone lying in the sand while digging away from the railway line near Kolmanskop in 1908. He showed it to his supervisor August Stauch, who confirmed it, was a diamond and the news spread fast, catching the attention of hundreds of German families dreaming of riches.
Now, tourists flock to Kolmanskop to see how the once grand German houses are gradually getting reclaimed by Namibia’s sand dunes and strong winds.
More on Kolmanskop holidays
Introduction
Kolmanskop reached its peak in the 1920’s, where over 300 German workers, 40 children and 800 Owambo contract workers. The Owambo are currently the largest population group residing in Namibia, accounting for a third of the countries entire population.
Kolmanskop resembled a typical German town. It had sophisticated houses, impressive facilities such as a hospital, a power station, a school, a theatre and even a casino.
Unfortunately, the town began to wane after the First World War, which resulted in the drastic drop of diamond prices. The diamonds were found further south and Kolmanskop was eventually abandoned in 1954.
Kolmanshop is now a popular film and television series destination, with the town being used in the 1993 movie Dust Devil and The King is Alive released in 2000. A 2010 episode of Life After People and BBC’s Wonders of the Universe have also been shot here.
Know before you go
Kolmanskop reached its peak in the 1920’s, where over 300 German workers, 40 children and 800 Owambo contract workers. The Owambo are currently the largest population group residing in Namibia, accounting for a third of the countries entire population.
Kolmanskop resembled a typical German town. It had sophisticated houses, impressive facilities such as a hospital, a power station, a school, a theatre and even a casino.
Unfortunately the town began to wane after the First World War, which resulted in the drastic drop of diamond prices. The diamonds were found further south and Kolmanskop was eventually abandoned in 1954.
Kolmanshop is now a popular film and television series destination, with the town being used in the 1993 movie Dust Devil and The King is Alive released in 2000. A 2010 episode of Life After People and BBC’s Wonders of the Universe have also been shot here.
When to go
What to pack
Weather and Climate
Safari / Holiday Styles
Where to stay
Kolmanskop Map
Kolmanskop's location on Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions about Kolmanskop
Whether you are in the Southern or East Africa you will generally be able to see the big five. The difference really comes in when considering antelope as they are based on your chosen location. go there.
This is all dependant on the countries that you will be visitng and due to the status of certain vaccinations changing at times, please consult our experts before getting vaccines. go there.
In some parts of Southern Africa it is safe to drink the tap water, however it is highly recommended to stick to bottled water (mostly supplied) during your trip as even drinkable African water is completely different in taste and… go there.
Related Articles
The ultimate guide to preparing for a luxury African safari
The African savannah is often portrayed as a warm and dry destination, and may result in unwanted surprise for travellers who aren’t properly informed about what to expect in the bush. With the right advice and guidance, knowing what to… read more
10 reasons why a Selinda safari is worth the trip
A private wildlife sanctuary situate in Northern Botswana, the 320,000 acre Selinda Game Reserve is home to a huge diversity of wildlife, most notably it’s large elephant herds, as well as antelope, zebra, cheetah, wild dog and lion. If… read more
Expert Q&A: Africa’s best Big Five safari destinations
One of the main reasons why people travel to Africa is to see the Big Five - the African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard, and the White/Black rhinoceros. However, one of the most frequently asked questions we get is… read more
African wanderings - Andre’s Malawi safari experience [Traveller story]
I had the pleasure of chatting to Andre Holland, who ventured on a 15-day Malawi safari in March 2015, coming to grips with the local culture, spending time on it's remote neighboring islands and exploring its wildlife-rich game… read more
