Luderitz
Luderitz is a small harbour town situated between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the dry Namib Desert. Situated well off the beaten track situated in southern Namibia just south of the Namib-Naukluft Park, a 600km detour from Keetmanshoop. Luderitz suddenly became famous in 1909 when diamonds were discovered at the nearby Kolmanskop town; however it was deserted in 1956. Today the town is known as Kolmanskop Ghost Town and is one of Luderitz' main attractions.
Luderitz Highlights
Luderitz is a small harbour town situated between the cold Atlantic Ocean and the dry Namib Desert; certainly not a town that you will find by mistake. It is safe to say that it is well off the beaten track situated in southern Namibia just south of the Namib- Naukluft Park, a 600km detour from Keetmanshoop. The bay of Luderitz was discovered in 1488 by the Portuguese seafarer Bartholomeu Diaz who named it Angra Pequeña. In 1883 Adolf Luderitz bought the bay and it was named after him.
Luderitz suddenly became famous in 1909 when diamonds were discovered at the nearby Kolmanskop town; however it was deserted in 1956. Today the town is known as Kolmanskop Ghost Town and is one of Luderitz' main attractions. Kolmanskop once formed the centre of the diamond industry in Namibia. Luderitz today is a small Colonial German town with delicatessens, coffee shops and Lutheran churches also known for its colonial architecture.
- The town is known for its colonial architecture, historical value and populations of seals, penguins, flamingos and ostriches.
- The adjacent diamond mining settlement of Kolmanskop was built during the diamond rush era, and now stands as a ghost town.
- In the bay lies Shark island, site of the extermination camp that was used in the Herero and Namaqua Genocide between 1904 and 1907.
Luderitz Nest Hotel The Lüderitz Nest Hotel is the ideal place from which to explore the many attractions in and around Lüderitzbucht, such as the museum, Diaz Point, the ghost town of Kolmanskop or the Bogenfels rock arch and the forsaken mining town of Pomona.
Sea View Zum Sperrgebiet is a 3 star hotel of the Protea Hotels family, located within walking distance of the beach in Luderitz overlooking the bay and harbour in Luderitz. The hotel offers comfortable rooms with basic amenities as well as air-conditioning, a bar and restaurant as well as a swimming pool.
The Lüderitz Nest Hotel is the ideal place from which to explore the many attractions in and around Lüderitzbucht, such as the museum, Diaz Point, the ghost town of Kolmanskop or the Bogenfels rock arch and the forsaken mining town of Pomona.
Game Viewing and Activities in Luderitz
The most remarkable of the colonial architecture in Luderitz is Goerke-Haus, a former magistrate's residence built in 1909 as well as the Lutheran Church, built in 1912. The Luederitz Museum offers a window into the history of the town. The Arts and Crafts Centre is also popular and worth a visit with wall hangings and carpets of karakul wool.
The new Luderitz Waterfront is ideal for shopping, enjoying lunch and meeting the local people. The region is known for its exotic wildlife; including seals, penguins, flamingos and ostriches and offers some great wildlife and bird watching tours. Luderitz also offers a beautiful camping ground on Shark Island, and vast, sandy beaches to enjoy or take a walk. The best include the Grosse Bucht and Agate Beach, known for its colourful sand. Visitors can also enjoy windsurfing and snorkelling activities at the Grosse Bucht and Grosse
