Kolmanskop is an abandoned diamond-mining town in the Namib Desert near Lüderitz, in southern Namibia. It lies inside Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park, a restricted area, but Namibia's environment ministry says the museum at Kolmanskop ghost town is open to the public. Tickets are reportedly sold at the entrance; tour times and prices are set by the operator, and published figures differ between sources.
Key points
- A railway worker, Zacharias Lewala, found a diamond at Kolmanskop in 1908; after that most of the surrounding area was closed to the public for nearly a century (MEFT).
- Kolmanskop is the part of the Sperrgebiet that is open to visitors; the rest of Tsau //Khaeb National Park has restricted access.
- Guided tours are reported Monday to Saturday at 9:30 and 11:00 and on Sundays at 10:00; reported ticket prices for an adult range from N$180 (May 2025) to N$230 (2026/27).
- Photographers can buy a separate permit for longer hours, including sunrise; the reported price differs between sources.
What happened at Kolmanskop?
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), the diamond rush began in 1908, when the railway worker Zacharias Lewala found a diamond at Kolmanskop near Lüderitz. To protect the deposits, most of the area was closed to the public for nearly a century; it became the Sperrgebiet, the "forbidden zone", and is now Tsau //Khaeb National Park. MEFT translates the name: tsau means "soft" and //khaeb "sand". Secondary sources report that the town was abandoned by 1956, after richer deposits were found further south.
Kolmanskop tour times
Several travel guides report the same pattern: guided tours from Monday to Saturday at 9:30 and 11:00, and on Sundays and public holidays at 10:00. A tour lasts about 45 to 60 minutes, usually in English and German. One listing gives Monday to Saturday from 08:00 to 13:00. There is no working official website to confirm these hours, so call ahead or check in Lüderitz before you drive out.
How much does it cost to visit Kolmanskop?
Ticket prices are set by the operator and are reported differently:
| Ticket | Reported price | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Standard ticket, adult (includes the guided tour) | N$230 | Passporter, season 2026/27 |
| Standard ticket, child aged 6 to 14 | N$90 | Passporter, season 2026/27 |
| Standard ticket, per person | N$180 | Live Like It's the Weekend, May 2025 |
| Photographer's permit (longer hours, sunrise to sunset) | N$230 or N$400 | travel blogs; the figures differ |
Treat the table as a guide only and confirm the price on the day. Reports say the photographer's permit has to be bought a day in advance in Lüderitz if you want to be there at sunrise.
Is Kolmanskop in a national park?
Yes. MEFT lists Kolmanskop inside Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park, a park with "restricted access" where the museum at Kolmanskop ghost town is open to the public. Tsau //Khaeb is in MEFT's top fee category from 1 April 2026 (N$280 per day for a non-SADC foreign adult), but MEFT does not say whether that fee applies to a Kolmanskop visit. Ask about it when you buy your ticket.
What else is near Kolmanskop?
MEFT says the park has one tourism concession: a day tour from Lüderitz to the ghost town of Pomona and the Bogenfels rock arch, which is 55 m high. The park protects part of the Succulent Karoo, with about 1,050 plant species, nearly a quarter of Namibia's flora, on less than 3% of its land.
What to check before you go
- Tour times and ticket prices for your date, by phone or in Lüderitz.
- A photographer's permit the day before, if you want sunrise or more time inside.
- Stay on the public road: the rest of the Sperrgebiet is closed to visitors.
- Sun protection, water and closed shoes for walking on sand.
This material is provided for reference. Data as of October 2026.
FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Kolmanskop?
Prices are set by the operator and reported differently: N$230 for an adult and N$90 for a child aged 6 to 14 for 2026/27 by one guide, N$180 per person in May 2025 by another. The ticket includes the guided tour. Confirm the price on the day.
What are the Kolmanskop tour times?
Travel guides report guided tours Monday to Saturday at 9:30 and 11:00, and Sundays and public holidays at 10:00, lasting 45 to 60 minutes. There is no working official website, so check in Lüderitz.
What happened to Kolmanskop?
It grew after a railway worker, Zacharias Lewala, found a diamond there in 1908. Secondary sources report that the town was abandoned by 1956, after richer diamond deposits were found further south.
Is Kolmanskop in the Sperrgebiet?
Yes. Kolmanskop lies in Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park. The park has restricted access, but Namibia's environment ministry says the museum at Kolmanskop ghost town is open to the public.
Can you photograph Kolmanskop at sunrise?
Only with a photographer's permit, which travel guides say is bought a day in advance in Lüderitz. Its reported price differs between sources (N$230 or N$400).
