Namibia
Central
South
North
Kolmanskop ghost town

Kolmanskop
Namibia


DiamondIn 1908, Luederitz was plunged into diamond fever. People rushed into the Namib desert hoping to make an easy fortune and within two years, a town, complete with a casino, school, hospital and exclusive residential buildings, had been established in the barren sandy desert. The diamond-bearing gravel was screened and washed in huge recovery plants. Over 1 000 kg of diamonds were extracted before World War I. However, the amount of gemstones greatly diminished after the war. Furthermore, considerably larger diamonds were found to the south near Oranjemund, causing Kolmanskop to become a ghost town.
The weight unit for diamonds is called a "carat". One carat equals approximately 0.2 grams. In Elisabeth Bay, located nearly 30 kilometres from Kolmanskop, about 1000 carats, that is around 200 grams, of raw diamonds were extracted daily. To achieve this, many waggon loads of diamond-bearing sand and gravel had to be brought in to the recovery facilities. The material was then screened and washed in huge drums.

Normally, 10 tons of sand contained only 1 to 2 carats of diamonds. Today, Elizabeth Bay, like Kolmanskop, is a ghost town. However, although very picturesque, the place is only allowed to be visited with a special permit. Because a new recovery plant began operation nearby, Elisabeth Bay is situated in a strictly guarded diamond zone. Visitors who apply for a permit must prove that they have no criminal record.
Kolmanskop
Elizabeth Bay
You can visit Kolmanskop. Every day, there are one-hour guided tours, in the mornings at 9h30 and 10h45. Tickets available at Luederitz Tours & Safaris in Bismarck Street, Tel 202719.

Top left: Raw diamond in the pan of a diamond prospector in Elizabeth Bay. Top right and bottom left: Deserted houses in Kolmanskop. Bottom right: Elizabeth Bay.

© HIGHLINE TRAVEL GUIDES
contact@namibia-travel.net