The old houses of Kolmanskop have long ago been abandoned to the desert ands stand as a silent testament to the grand lifestyle that the staff were accustomed to living in this remote, dry and wind-swept place. Life for the diamond diggers in the desert was made as comfortable as possible. One has to consider as to how many homes in Europe and America had ‘refrigeration’ facilities in those far off years. Each house came equipped with a ‘cooler cabinet’ for storing food. Narrow gauge rail mounted cars pulled by horses transported the people around the town and made daily deliveries of drinking water and ice to every house.
The lifespan of the town was miniscule in geological terms. The sand-sea of the South Namib Desert moves relentlessly Northwards and eventually will completely cover the site on which the town stood. Presently, it affords us an opportunity to snap some unusual and memorable photographs. But, and please take note of this warning – be careful where you walk. Some of the floors in the buildings are not too safe.
The Kolmanskop Museum: This will give you a fascinating history lesson on the diamond fields of the area during the early part of the last Century, and the diamond rush of 1908. There’s a yard with a variety of equipment that was used by the early diggers for sorting the diamonds from the sands.
Warning: If you wander across the fence into Diamond Area no 1 you are liable for prosecution.
