Once a thriving diamond mining settlement in the Namib Desert, Kolmanskop in southern Namibia is now a hauntingly beautiful ghost town, slowly being reclaimed by the sand. Abandoned since the 1950s, this eerie yet captivating location has become a haven for dark tourism , drawing in visitors from around the world who are intrigued by its unique history and the surreal landscape of crumbling buildings swallowed by dunes. Kolmanskop’s story begins on 14 April 1908, when a railway worker discovered a diamond while clearing sand from the tracks.
After reporting to his German supervisor, August Stauch, this barren corner of Namibia transformed into a bustling town, flush with wealth and German influence, according to Kerdowney Africa . The German colonial government swiftly declared the area a Sperrgebiet - a restricted zone where only licensed miners could search for diamonds. The newfound wealth from easily accessible diamond deposits soon turned Kolmanskop into a fully developed settlement, complete with luxuries rarely seen in such remote locations.
By the 1920s, Kolmanskop had blossomed into a town that boasted opulent amenities for its residents. It featured a hospital, ballroom, power station, theatre, school, and even southern Africa's first x-ray station. The town’s thriving community enjoyed luxuries like a swimming pool, ice factory, and a four-lane bowling alley.
In addition, Kolmanskop had the first tram system on the continent, connecting it to nearby Lüderitz..