Travel Tips by: Lifestyle Traveler
Kolmanskop is an almost otherworldly place located in southwestern Namibia. This ghost town was abandoned in the mid-20th century and is slowly being reclaimed by nature.
Kolmanskop sits close to the coast of southern Namibia in the Namib desert. It’s located 12 kilometers from the port town of Luderitz and is surrounded by desert.
Kolmanskop was originally built in 1908 when a railroad worker discovered diamonds in the area. Within just a short period of time, the town became home to more than 1,200 people, most of whom were very wealthy.
The eerie ghost town of Kolmanskop has become a favorite among group tours and tourists exploring Namibia and not without reason.
Some buildings have more or less been preserved and protected from the elements, while others are in various stages of decay, creating a mysterious atmosphere that feels almost surreal.
Today, there is little left of the once-successful mining industry in this part of southern Namibia. Even the plentiful diamond reserves of Kolmanskop had to come to an end at some point.